Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT

Ross06 · Aug 19, 2005

I live in Missoula, and have been toying with the idea of hunting the Bob Marshall this rifle season. I was wondering if anyone has some experience or information about good acess points that can be made without a horse? Any ideas on where to start would be much appreciated.

MontanaTines · Aug 20, 2005

I'd start at a trailhead! just kidding. I'd say find the least accessible trail and also try and determine an area as far away from the nearest outfitter camp. I'm looking forward to a trip myself. I've heard it can be pretty crowded. Two years ago I did a couple day trip, we only saw one muley buck in the wilderness along with two differnt guides and there clients, one of which spooked away an unseen buck that was grunting at us from behind the brush. The guide was very nice, but it was hillarious to see his client behind him on the horse in tennis shoes, white socks, and sweat pants. Plus they were riding out of camp at probably 9:00 in the morning. Each to his own, and the guide actually told me later that that was one of his best clients. The most interesting part of the trip was the big 300+ six point that we saw both on the way in and out in the exact same spot at 1:00 and 2:00 in the afternoon, bugling his head off in an open slide. He was out of the wilderness where only bow season was open,needless to say neither of us had our bows, and couldn't get back into the area in the days following.

wjt · Aug 21, 2005

Years of whitetail hunting the Swann Valley. Have not been there in 10 years. There is a trail up the saddle behind the drainage for Holland lake. You acess it from Barber creek road north of Owl Loop Road. Can not remember exact gate off Barber Creek. Old logging trail crosses the trail back to the saddle. Check forest service map and topo maps. Gets rough the farther back you go. Use to see some nice elk before all the pressure started about 10 years ago. I know a lot has changed in 10 years so my info might not be good. A lot of the trails on the other side of the valley are easiler and have seen elk back close to some of the high lakes. But then you are not in the Bob. Saw a lot of elk around Grey Wolf Lake, but he last time I was there I saw more Griz than elk. Good Luck.

Lien2 · Aug 22, 2005

I have no personal experience, but my best hunting buddy did a guided elk hunt in the "Bob" 3 years ago in Sept. Went in from the north (Hungry Horse) on horseback, 23 miles into the Bob, packed in and had a 10 day hunt and saw ZERO elk. Zip, nadda, zilch........
Maybe it's better in other areas of the Bob though?
Good luck.

Lien2

HaremMaster · Aug 22, 2005

I am in Missoula attending umt. I moved up from Cody, Wyoming and did a lot of elk hunting there. I've been looking to get out. If you need an extra set of eyes. I would be interested, shoot me an [email protected]
Tanner Shuler

sjhgraysage · Aug 22, 2005

my experience is from 20 years ago but the local DIY's are in there for the first week say 9/15 - 9/21 after that its pretty much just outfitters and their clients, the Smith Creek trail out of Condon can have you at the wilderness boundary in 3 - 4 hours or less if you are in shape. Its steep rough and thick down in the hole on the other side.

mtmuley · Aug 23, 2005

Ross06, Save yourself the torture and agony of a limited elk population that is hard to reach, and hunt the Blackfoot area, or the Bitteroot even into the East and West Forks. Or the Big Hole for that matter. You are smack dab in the middle of good elk country, and shouldn't need to get into the Bob. mtmuley

Randy11 · Aug 23, 2005

Another Missoulian here, you should send me an email. I've dropped into the Bob almost going straight over the swan face near clearwater lake. That was in summer though and i don't think it'd be feasible getting an elk out that way, maybe a deer. If you do get in there, chase the mulies south, ill be hunting the game range this year.