Stanley - Bear Valley ?

Hey all MM people! Been some time since I've been on the site, but lived here for quite a long time in past years. That said, just have some general questions..... Just thinking about a possible OTC rifle elk/deer hunt this year with GF and I. Years back (probably 2 decades or so) I hunted outside of Stanley in a place called Bear Valley - specifically near Wyoming Creek. 3 hunts spaced a few years apart, and archery, and had GREAT trips. The first two saw elk like crazy - many close calls, but never closed the deal. Literally saw herds and herds in the evenings and after shooting light in Big Meadows, Ayers meadows, etc. (if I remember the names correctly). Last trip it was totally different - many wolves, no elk. So now, these many moons later, looking at unit 36 elk harvest numbers and percentages, it looks as if that same area might be a great place to revisit.... So, first, before I dig out the old maps and try and navigate the F & G website, is this a good starting point to revisit again? And, of course is this an OTC tag (elk - deer)? Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Bear Valley is in unit 35. The herds seem to be starting to recover but probably nothing like your first experience. The tags for the Sawtooth zone sell out in seconds and F&G said they plan to make it a controlled hunt in 2019.

I always go down there to fly fish Bear Valley Creek. Always see more elk then deer. Have heard that the wolves are quite thick in there...but have never seen one down there. Good luck and keep us posted if you go hunt down there.


Chuck in Boise

Like was stated above.....Tags are hard to get...wolves continue to be a problem in the area, but are not as bad as 5 years ago. Hearing rumors it may not go to a controlled hunt which is great news!!! (converting area to a draw is a huge detriment to everyone including our young hunters). Decent hunt, but there are lots of areas in the state with more elk and better odds to harvest.

Where did you hear that?

Depending on how many tags they allocate, I think it could be good. It may increase draw odds in some of the other easier to draw units. That's assuming many of the guys who put in for controlled hunts are hunting Sawtooth.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-06-18 AT 08:52PM (MST)[p]No thanks