SW Montana--Gravelly Range

[ShepDog]

Anybody here of any fires in this region? How was the summer/Spring? Making a trip to the Vigalante cabin soon. Hoping to see some wildlife and snow on the Snowcrest Range. Have the wolves been spotted here recently? How many Grizzlies inhabit this country?? Bow season coming soon and looking to find some bugling Bulls.

Miss the Big Sky Country.....

 

[rammont]

Try checking http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/, it will show all of the fires nation wide or you can specify the state. When you click on a fire a window will open that shows the location of the fire on a map, if you zoom out on the map you can see as much of the state as you want.

 

[missjordan]

That region seemed to get more moisture this year than any other spots in the state, therefore the ground stayed greener for a lot longer. Fire activity is non existent down by Dillon which has been a nice place to get away for our family since Missoula is burning up! I'm unsure about bears in that region but where I hunt in SW Montana the high peaks still have small pockets of snow left that haven't melted yet.


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[ShepDog]

Seems pretty hot as of yet. Any bugling activity? Heard of a hunter being attacked by grizzly a couple weeks ago. Anyone have some insight?
Looking forward to seeing the aspen turning color. Hope to hear sweet September love song of elk!!!!

 

[rammont]

I'm sure I'll offend somebody, I usually do when I say what's on my mind, but that guy that got mauled did several things wrong and the worst was the way he reacted when he saw the bear. The bear was on a kill and the guy started waving his arms and yelling, that's what you do when you see a bear that's just walking around with no particular interest in what's going on around him. When a bear is on a kill at this time of year he's trying to put on fat for the upcoming winter and waving your arms around and yelling just makes him think that you're trying to take his food away. The best thing to do when you see a bear on a kill is to just back away without challenging the bear in any way and hope for the best. Then the two hunters attempted to use bear spray when the bear was actually charging them at close distance, that's about useless at that point in time. Then the guy that was mauled evidently didn't practice with his bear spray because he wasn't able to disengage the safety and he panicked and dropped the can. Finally, when he realized that the spray wasn't going to do squat under this situation, he tried to use his gun but he was so close that the bear just swatted it away and then jumped on him. A bear can run at speeds of 40 mph, at a distance of 50 feet you'll have about 2 seconds to respond before that bear is in contact with you. There is a big difference between a charging bear that's trying to protect it's food or cubs and a casual bear that is just curious. I won't trust spray on a charging bear but I'm sure it will work most of the time on a curious bear.

I live northwest of where you intend to go (southwest of Helena by about 30 miles) but I'm already hearing a few elk here and there, not many but from time to time I'll hear them but only at night - usually around midnight or so. Nothing that's going to help you locate them during the day. I don't know what it's like down in the area you are going but up where I live calling is pretty useless.

 

[ShepDog]

No offending me. We hunt and play in bear country. The news and stories told lead me to believe he did cause a rukus and I don't blame the bear for thrashing him. Who knows what wits will be about you when a grizzly attacks you? You can only prepare what you can imagine, however when the Sh-- hits the fan, how will you react????
Regardless, I will be hiking in as far as I can to get away from the crowds and that leads me closer to bears. I'm ok with that.

Any word on weather and if bulls are bugling?? Still in bachelor groups to cows??

I love September!!!!

 

[rammont]

National Weather Service is saying that all of south-west Montana will experience cooler weather starting this week with rain and possibly snow on Friday and Saturday (depending on your altitude). By this Saturday they predict highs in the 40s - 50s with lows in the high 20s to low 30s but then the temps will rise a little and be around the 50s - 60s during the day with lows in the mid to high 30s.

 

[Jay/NC]

That sounds perfect! I l fly into Butte Thursday afternoon for my first elk hunt. Got 2 weeks to put it together.


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[rammont]

The National Weather Service says (hope you have good rain and snow gear);

Thursday: Rain likely, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Highs mainly in the upper 50s. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Lows mainly in the lower 40s. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: Rain and snow. Snow level 8000 feet lowering to 7400 feet in the afternoon . Cloudy, with highs mostly in the middle 40s.

Friday Night: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6700 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with lows mainly in the middle 30s.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow. Snow level rising to 8100 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with highs mainly in the upper 40s.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with lows mostly in the middle 30s.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with highs mainly in the middle 50s.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with lows around 40.

Monday: Sunny, with highs mainly in the upper 50s.

 

[rcfireninja]

How did everyone's hunt in this area turn out? I'm looking to go to Montana next year and have been looking around here and the Beartooth area.

 

[ShepDog]

It was a good hunt. Lots of snow. We hunted at 7500' and a foot of snow. Never bow hunted for elk with that much snow. We saw a decent amount of elk. Had several opportunities at Bulls. One was a 300" class heard bull my buddy missed at 34yards. He was too cold and frozen. Could not draw his bow.
With the snow on the ground we did see just how many bears were amongst us as well as all the wolves. Here is a Griz we came across.
Lots of wolf sign. Heard them but did not see one.

 

[rcfireninja]

It was a good hunt. Lots of snow. We hunted at 7500' and a foot of snow. Never bow hunted for elk with that much snow. We saw a decent amount of elk. Had several opportunities at Bulls. One was a 300" class heard bull my buddy missed at 34yards. He was too cold and frozen. Could not draw his bow.
With the snow on the ground we did see just how many bears were amongst us as well as all the wolves. Here is a Griz we came across.
Lots of wolf sign. Heard them but did not see one. View attachment 20661

That much snow in September? Could make things very interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[rammont]

Hate to tell you but that's not a grizzly track, that's the hind foot of a big black bear.

 

[ShepDog]

Believe you me this was Griz track. We saw 4-1 black bear vs. Griz. There is NO mistaking a black bear track for a Griz. There are Griz in that country and don't be fooled if you have not seen them. That snow opened my eyes on how many. This was not the only Griz track we came across. When you see them making the track, it's a no brainier.
Carry spray or a pistol if not both. Most important be aware and cautious! Hunt in pairs and never alone. "Most bear attacks" are when people are by themselves. Just like the elk, "safety in numbers". Enough on the Bruins....
Monument and Wigwam fires seem to be smoldering. Any reports on elk bugling/success up that way. Curious on what the fire activity may have pushed or concentrated the wildlife where?
Glad no homes or structures lost in the fires. I'm headed out a week from now and totally jacked to feel the 8000' burn in my lungs!
God bless those mountains ands thank you for the adventure.
If anyone knows of forest closures or fire activity please give shout out. I have been watching inceweb as well.
Pick a spot and shoot honest.

 

[droptine]

Yes, fire updates would be awesome. We’ll be heading out on rifle opener.