Hello Jack-
Here's something to consider: They move all of the cattle out of the center of 52 and take them down to the San Antonio corrals. For the most part, the elk calm right down and forget all about the 5000 head of cattle stampeding SE with 20 horseback cowboys driving them down the hill. But last year there was one area that was completely devoid of elk....and the year before there were lots of elk in there. They take the cattle out of there the day before the MZ opens. Sometimes I think it really matters where the domestic cows are getting driven out of. If there are lots of trees/aspens nearby, they calm down quick and readjust in a few hundred yards....if its open creek bed country, they'll blow out and not return. My tip after 2 years in there: Get 1 mile off any road where there's a decent mix of dark timber and aspens. I've always liked the Banco Julian area, both east and west, Rio Nutrias, Ulguin, Ojito, and down south looks good too off brokeoff mtn, etc. You really cant go wrong. The easiest spot bar none: San Antonio Mtn from what I hear. Tons of elk, and all down hill once you tag out. Just get there on Th, scout for a full 2 days, and then go tag a bull. Second tip...dont stop walking/scouting until you start finding lots of fresh #####/sign and screaming bulls. 10/1-10/10 they will be bugling regularly. Also, google earth is great to find all of those light green shaded areas where there's golden grass on the hills, and then small patches of green grass down in the wet(er) areas. Find those green patches, find some elk. Wilderness looks good, although I've only walked in there once. A complete MF'er to get an elk packed out of there on your back. Also, the NW panhandle looks incredible, although I've never walked an inch of it. Crossing brazos ridge is dicey IMO. A 4-wheeler would make much more sense. No motorized vehicles off any part of FR87 and FR93...except to go down to eastern wilderness parking lot.
Good luck-
crcountry
