What is the average shot distance in the Bob Marshall for those that have hunted there?

Haven't hunted there but have done 5 or 6 back packing trips there.

Ranges from heavy timber to open above timber line areas.

Average distance good luck with that

I've hunted the Bob several times and while there seems to be a higher propensity of timber it is none-the-less like any mountain situation thus resulting in shots of about any length. I can only say be prepared for what you're presented...

Thanks.

I have hunted elk in the Gila, in the Bridger Teton and in the Deer Lodge National Forest.

The Bridger and Gila at least in the areas I have hunted was higher altitude and had big parks, and some ranges got way out there if you were on the opposite side of a park.

The Deer Lodge is pretty much straight up and down. The problem with it is all the elk get cold and drain onto the ranches on the shelf.

Wanting a wilderness horseback elk hunt for 2020.

Have points in Wyoming and Montana, but not enough to draw a trophy tag so I am thinking about an experience hunt instead.

BWW,

I live in the Flathead valley and have extensive hunting/hiking and fishing experience in and around the "Bob".

Shot opportunities are very limited. The success rate on elk hunts is very low. It is much more about the "experience", which is wonderful if you understand that before paying.

Most of the outfitters are honest and up-front about the trips. Swan River Outfitters has a great reputation.

With that. It is big country and shots can be 50 yards in dark timber or 400 yards across a canyon.

Horseback, backcountry elk hunts are something everyone should experience. They are much different than trophy ranch hunts.

Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss in person.

SKi+3
Whitefish, MT

I grew up hunting elk horseback in Wyoming in the Bridger-Teton. I have done a few returns to hunt with family to the same area south of Dubois as an adult. Those days are over, as a family we probably had a string of 18 horses and enough tack for 6 or 7 guys to be able to pack out.

My Dad and uncles got old, and everyone traded saddle horses for four wheelers. Then everyone really got old and started just hunting antelope and deer in their backyard. I have been gone for 25 years overseas. Time to start hunting again.

The cost of owning enough stock and equipment to get into a wilderness area is about 7 times the cost of going on a hunt every year.

quote:

Originally posted by SkiBumplus3:

Horseback, backcountry elk hunts are something everyone should experience. They are much different than trophy ranch hunts.

SKi+3
Whitefish, MT

Man, ain't that the truth. I had an outfitter I used in the Selway but he no longer guides. Loved those trips.

What you saw in the Deer Lodge National Forest will be similar to the Bob. Depending on which side you come in on, and whether or not you get into the Scapegoat or Great Bear, it could be thick timber, or open basins.

I spent a good couple of years of my life going into the Bob from the Augusta side through Benchmark and Sun River Canyon.

The Scapegoat is more timbered. Farther north in the Bob and the Great Bear are more like Glacier Park. Timber below a 7500-8000' alpine timberline.

The elk density isn't high due to the habitat. It doesn't have enough open grass to make is stellar elk habitat. Success is decent for those in good shape. It can be tough and physical hunting. That said, the Chinese Wall is entirely worth the trip.

Jeremy

Farbedo,

That makes quite a bit of sense.

I always thought the Deer Lodge a tough hunt. Lots of elk in the late 1990s, but straight up and down. We hunted it Horseback but never packed in as we lived in Deer Lodge and hunted it from our house. Up at 4, on the mountain at 5:30, and usually had it to ourselves after about 4 miles in.

Just straight up and down.


This was on Mount Powell.


I also hunted the Helena, but never saw an elk there. Too many trucks and fourwheelers running full tilt boogie.

It makes no difference you can get long shots or close shots anyplace. I have had both in the Bob Marshall, and all of Idaho and Colorado, in fact the Pacific North West is ripe for a caliber and gun to be workable under all conditions..I recommend a 30-06, 270, 7x57 handloaded etc..Many prefer the 300 magnums or 338 these days or that's what I see in Idaho for the most part. Lots of good choices out there.

In black timber most shots are close but Ive made a number of cross canyon in the thickest of places, and I have made some real short shots in flat brush plains and rimrock desert country...Go prepared for both is the only valid suggestion, a 270 or 30-06 or such calibers that work anywhere you hunt..

We always use horses to get in the remote areas for our camp and to hunt with. The trails are mostly good..the hunting part on a horse is considerably tougher, need good aclimated horses..

We see a back packing hunter on rare occasions, and he will be one tough SOB, that's a given.

If you can shoot out to 300 yards accurately you should be fine.

I was there once, with Jack Hooker from the Whitetail Ranch in Ovando. We rode in about 20 miles, hunted from a camp morning and late afternoon after a lunchtime nap. There were three elk taken, one at about 375 yards, a missed opportunity at about 75 yards on a somewhat open bench with oaks, one nice bull at about 50 yards in timber, one more that I think was in the open (I was not at that kill).

I have only bow hunted for black bear there. The area I was in was great bear habitat, lots of woods, some open fields, glades. I did see some elk tracks and visually observed deer. What was striking was the amount of downed large timber (natural) which made it very difficult for horseback access. No cutting allowed there from what I remember so there was a lot of obstacles in the wooded places.

quote:

No cutting allowed there from what I remember so there was a lot of obstacles in the wooded places.

One can cut down and dead stuff but one can only use hand tools.

So it is a lot of work.

Ah, yes, that is correct. Anyway, tremendous work.

Used to hunt there a long time ago, like most elk country, shots can range from 15 yards to 400 yards. Be prepared for both. A 270 shooting 150g Partitions or a 30-06 shooting anything from 165g premium bullets up is a wonderful choice

I hunt on the eastside of the Bob every year. My success rate is about 50% and I always hunt the first week of rifle season.

We ride about 20 miles to camp.