Post by royden on Mar 19, 2007 6:44:45 GMT -5
Great points SMJ... here in western MT I've never had to go to such lengths because most of our land is federal or large private timber companies with open access. 
I have and do however make sure and send christmas cards to "our" antelope ranches and drop off some sort of thank you gifts when we get there in Sept. 
Gotta find a new place to chase 'lopes maybe 400 miles closer to home this year - that might be fun! These elk that are being seen are canadian elk only about 5 miles south of the border on wind driven plains that are virtually snow-free all winter - good winter range. There is a couple of ranches that they can be found on in archery season but they are tied up with outfitters like you say - no chance. The other two main area's are on either side of the valley on the lower slopes of the mountains. The west side is seeing more wolves and the herd this last year relocated and really got hammered hard by hunters. The east side herd travels back and forth across the border and get hunted hard by both canadians and archery at the same time as they cross. Personally I don't chase these elk cause that is all you do is chase - you can't really come up with a thinking plan when they get chased everywhere. The other reason for me is that there are two many people hunting 'em. When I leave (listen up matt this is a forewarning!!! ) three hours before daylight and get back two-three hours after dark I don't want to see anybody that isn't wearing long hair and preferably mythical horns of prodigious proportions ;D. Generally I don't see anybody at all - all season long - or if I do it is die hard hunters also and they're ok.
rc
I have and do however make sure and send christmas cards to "our" antelope ranches and drop off some sort of thank you gifts when we get there in Sept. 
Gotta find a new place to chase 'lopes maybe 400 miles closer to home this year - that might be fun! These elk that are being seen are canadian elk only about 5 miles south of the border on wind driven plains that are virtually snow-free all winter - good winter range. There is a couple of ranches that they can be found on in archery season but they are tied up with outfitters like you say - no chance. The other two main area's are on either side of the valley on the lower slopes of the mountains. The west side is seeing more wolves and the herd this last year relocated and really got hammered hard by hunters. The east side herd travels back and forth across the border and get hunted hard by both canadians and archery at the same time as they cross. Personally I don't chase these elk cause that is all you do is chase - you can't really come up with a thinking plan when they get chased everywhere. The other reason for me is that there are two many people hunting 'em. When I leave (listen up matt this is a forewarning!!! ) three hours before daylight and get back two-three hours after dark I don't want to see anybody that isn't wearing long hair and preferably mythical horns of prodigious proportions ;D. Generally I don't see anybody at all - all season long - or if I do it is die hard hunters also and they're ok.rc