It seems like it's getting harder to avoid hunting pressure. We packed 6 miles back into the middle of nowhere on horses and still had back pack hunters all over us any ideas on how to avoid some of this? Thinking of trying a new area but I hate to we are just getting this area figured out but it's getting old running a race to get to the elk before some fools decide to shoot 15 times at a coyote. What's the answer. it used to be 3 or 4 miles weeded out the Idiots but not anymore
avoiding other hunters
- Thread starter nebugle
- Start date
It's getting harder and harder! I don't know if there is a answer. I would say its now about not getting away from the dumb asses its out hunting them.
Probably. The key to place I hunt is I know where the deer are. Others don't so I already have the advantage. And when you see lots of roads don't think there isn't big bucks. I have found big bucks just on the otherside of the hill of the road.
Same for bulls also. Just about finding them.
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humbletaxi
Member
arrowslinger21
Member
I hunt in pretty rugged country, but for me, it seems like somewhere around the 7 mile mark. I am a backpack guy and so I try to avoid horse hunters, so I look for trails that are hard on horses or very difficult to maneuver. Also, if you really want to ditch them, get 5-7 miles in, and then get to a spot a minimum of 2-3 miles from that trail or any other trail. This will put you about 10 miles in total, but this one basically never fails. Most guys are too lazy to get too far from the trail after getting that far in. Steep rocky rims and cliffs also cut down on traffic. Alot of guys aren't comfortable navigating in really broken and rocky country.
arrowslinger21
Member
also as mentioned above, some guys get caught up on going deep and walk right by animals. SOme great spots are a ridgeline over from a trial just a mile or two from the trailhead. Everyone walks right by these a lot of times.
I'm with humbletaxi on this one. I would rather know an area like the back of my hand (know bedding areas, escape routes, feeding areas) and use the other hunters in the area to my advantage than go to a place I am completely unfamiliar with. If you must get away from everyone then keep in mind that these "idiots" are the same as you. Not to many people go 4 miles from a road and are happy to see more hunters. Think about where you don't want to go because it is too difficult and go there. But who's to say if you go further into the abyss that you won't stumble on more hunters that say "what is this idiot doing in my hunting spot".
RUTTIN
Veteran member
Like arrowslinger21, I have some spots that people go to far trying to get away from the other people, and the guys hunting from their trucks only go about a mile. If you can find that sweet spot in between sometimes it can hold more animals and less people.
Old Hunter
Banned
It's not the distance you go. It's how difficult it is to get there. I go where even horse can't get to.
I only see hunters at the beginning of my hike in. Never when I get there.
Riding a horse to an area is something anybody can do. You're going to have company.
I only see hunters at the beginning of my hike in. Never when I get there.
Riding a horse to an area is something anybody can do. You're going to have company.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
- 304
- 0
If there's people where you like to hunt, find a way to use them to your advantage. Or if you enjoy solitude, find another place to hunt even if the hunting is not as good.
People on horses annoy backpack hunters too. Their beasts of burden leave massive piles of crap spread out all over the trails. It's like walking through a minefield on some popular horse trails.
So I usually avoid trails and go where no horses can.
People on horses annoy backpack hunters too. Their beasts of burden leave massive piles of crap spread out all over the trails. It's like walking through a minefield on some popular horse trails.
So I usually avoid trails and go where no horses can.
BKC
Very Active Member
Never in doubt, I will try and teach my horses and mule to only leave little piles of crap spread out all over the trails. But untill I teach them I will still use them and they may leave massive piles of crap spread out all over the trail. I'm sorry we annoy you!If there's people where you like to hunt, find a way to use them to your advantage. Or if you enjoy solitude, find another place to hunt even if the hunting is not as good.
People on horses annoy backpack hunters too. Their beasts of burden leave massive piles of crap spread out all over the trails. It's like walking through a minefield on some popular horse trails.
So I usually avoid trails and go where no horses can.
Old Hunter
Banned
So do elk, but I like seeing those big moist pellets.
If I see horse crap going in the same direction as I am. I know i'm going in the wrong direction.
If I see horse crap going in the same direction as I am. I know i'm going in the wrong direction.
I backpack as well and try to go where horses cant go. I also have a sweet spot next to a trail thatholds elk that nobody checks but its ambush hunting and you can 't guarantee they will be there when you are. Gonna scout a new area this year but grizzly abound. Just frustrated by stupidity and bad luck.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Edelweiss,
I know some of that Deer Lodge country. When was the last time you hunted over there? I don't recall an elevation-related ATV rule, so it might be a different area.
I would love to see some pics of the bulls you have taken out of there. Shoot, throw in some pics of some of those Wyoming bulls, too, while you're at it! Gotta love the horn porn.
HiMtnHnter
Active Member
A good point was made earlier about the "in-between" country. As a generally solo or with one other person elk hunter without horses, I have been limited to just a few miles beyond the trailhead to realistically get an elk out in the early season without spoiling. That country lots of guys pass up can be good, especially in smaller or heavily hunter wilderness areas. Look for access points that are not at the main trailhead and hike in prepared to camp 1-2 miles from the road. Lots of game gets spooked to the perimeter once all the people and outfitters pack in and start hunting. Look at the map for natural escape routes out of interior areas. I once witnessed a mass exodus of elk out of a wilderness to a non-wilderness area. Elk will hole up and shut up, but they're still there.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
No worries,
Can't win them all. I just asked because I have been there and liked the country. Hopefully when you get out of the service you can punch some tags around there.
You should post up some photos from Germany and Australia! I liked the African stuff on your profile.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Sorry to the OP for the threadjack.
I get away from the crowds by going to rougher country and overlooked country, as previously mentioned by others. In some places (parts of ID for sure), there is still some lonely public land in places...
I get away from the crowds by going to rougher country and overlooked country, as previously mentioned by others. In some places (parts of ID for sure), there is still some lonely public land in places...
Timberstalker
Veteran member
I have an area where I seldom see anyone, it is one of my favorite spots. I am usually not more than 3 miles from my truck either, I go farther than most "from the truck" hunters, but not as far as the horse back or pack in guys. They go right buy some pretty good stuff. I seldom see elk sign till I get about 1/2 mile from the trail, if I do see tracks from the trail, they are on the move. You don't have to be several miles in the wilderness to get away from people, sometimes you find more people when you do. I look at wilderness trails just like I do roads roads, I believe the critters know where they are.