Drew the wrong unit...

My sister is taking leave from the Navy to come hunting this year. She told me she'd handle the application as long as I hunted with her. I accidentally sent the wrong hunt number and by the time I realized it, it was too late! I have a new baby due on November 1st so I don't know how much time I'll get to hunt. Probably later in the season if anything.

So I am now the proud holder of a unit 33 muzzleloader bull tag. I went ahead and purchased it because, hey, what the heck. I'll try anything once.

I know that the hunt is largely weather dependent. I've spent a little time in 33 before but from what I gather that area will have too much snow that late in the year.

I purchased a muzzleloader and have been shooting it already.

If anyone has any knowledge of that hunt at all, if love to hear from you. I've been up there already this year but the fire makes the drive a pain (road closures and such) and I've studied google earth. I will head in to this hunt like I normally do, hoping for a chance at a mature bull, every animal is a trophy.

Please feel free to PM me, I know people don't like to share on the open forum, neither do I. Thanks everyone.

Me and Rizzy are convinced that the mature bulls don't hardly migrate in that unit anymore. 6x6's can be hard to come by, even up higher. The best bulls that I've seen were with 1 or 2 cows, even during peak rut, and don't seem to bugle much. I think they live really solitary lives because of the wolf and hunting pressure throughout this unit. Even more so than other units close by.

Every winter I'm usually up there for a day or two chasing wolves (watching elk more like) and rarely lay eyes on a 6x6, regardless of how deep the snow is. I know they are in there, we see them once in a while. But they won't be down low, out in the open, like you would hope on a late hunt.

You'll have a great time, there are plenty of elk not far from roads. Some snow shoes might help you to get up to the big bulls.

To build on what TW says, that is a fun hunt if you are into having a good experience and challenge versus harvesting. Traditionally about 3 to 7 of the 50 tags are filled, and mostly spikes or raggies. Keep in mind you are hunting post bow, post rut, post rifle bulls. The big ones go somewhere, and it ain't down low. Depending on the weather there can be decent size groups of elk, the challenge is getting in on one or two or three small bulls amidst a sea of wary cows. Like I said, fun challenge! Snow is your friend and enemy. Too much (rare actually) will drive the elk down, but cut off access, especially to the bigger bulls. Too little and they are spread out. Crazy weather usually, warm rains or freezing ass cold. Oh, steep! Love it.
Swing in to Helende campground and say hi. We will be there like usual in the wall tent. Single center pole (spike) style.
Powder

LAST EDITED ON Aug-10-16 AT 05:07PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it.

Any animal with my muzzleloader will make me happy. I'd love the chance at a mature bull, but I will not be upset nor will my hunt be any less successful if I end up with a spike or nothing at all. Challenge and adventure is the name of the game.

PM sent to both of you guys.

What TW said.

In anticipation for applying for the 33-1 deer tag, I scouted that unit starting last November through to March of this year when they started migrating back up. I saw a lot of cows and a few young spikes, it wouldn't hurt to bring a limited cow hunt back I saw mature bulls down low in late March while wolf hunting. I would like to think they were always there, just hanging out in the timber or on top away from the herds. Herds attract wolves and hunters. From garden valley to past lowman is wintering area. Just about every ridge had cows on it. Snow shoes might be a good investment

>What TW said.
>
>In anticipation for applying for the
>33-1 deer tag, I scouted
>that unit starting last November
>through to March of this
>year when they started migrating
>back up. I saw a
>lot of cows and a
>few young spikes, it wouldn't
>hurt to bring a limited
>cow hunt back I
>saw mature bulls down low
>in late March while wolf
>hunting. I would like to
>think they were always there,
>just hanging out in the
>timber or on top away
>from the herds. Herds attract
>wolves and hunters. From garden
>valley to past lowman is
>wintering area. Just about every
>ridge had cows on it.
>Snow shoes might be a
>good investment

Thanks for the info Rizzy.

I spend a lot of time up there hunting wolves as well and have seen decent bulls but as mentioned above you will want snow shoes. If you can get a snowmobile it ma not hurt to get around up high on one and then hike out on ridges to glass the canyons. Farmers almanac predicts a lot of snow this year. Not sure how accurate it usually is but it should give you hope. It does me for wolf hunting again.
Good luck!