Topgun,
They have been creating and splitting up LE elk units in NW Wyoming for the last few years. The boundaries have changed in recent years in LE 51 numerous times. It now includes Crandall Creek but a couple years back it didn't. It used to include the Dead Indian Meadows area and now it doesn't. At one time, the boundary was Sunlight Creek, now it isn't. I believe 54-2 used to be 50. I believe 53-1 used to be part of 51. 53-2 used to be 121. In 2013,I took a decent bull using a 51 tag in an area that became 53-1 in 2014. Since that change, there is little chance of drawing that 53-1 tag. All the elk general hunts have disappeared with the exception of one on the North Fork of the Shoshone.
The west boundary of the 51-2 is obvious. The boundary between the new 51-2, and the recently created 54-2,is now kind of nebulous. Much of 51-2 is accessed from the Beartooth Highway. That highway is often closed long before the season ends in the new 51-2. I wouldn't waste my one shot at drawing an elk tag on 51-2 unless you like to see lots of grizzly bears and wolves, or want to do some trout fishing. The constant changing of the boundaries by those in charge has made it all a little more confusing for hunters and it screws up the long term review of harvest reports. The constant screwing around with boundaries is a trap for the unwary and is a pet peeve of mine. In the last year, I have heard members of the Game and Fish privately mention that they may have screwed up by switching the Sunlight-Crandall area to LE from general.
By the way, I haven't drawn an elk tag for the last two years and I have little hope of drawing one this year. It may be general season mule deer hunting with the outside chance of a sheep tag. Although I did hunt deer in Idaho in 2015,I doubt I will next year. It is all about being outside in some beautiful country so I don't stress over it. However, I do call it like I see it.
just sayin...mh
Urge 2 Hunt
