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Elk Hunting the Bob Marshall

MontanaHunter12

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I am starting to plan an archery elk hunt into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. I plan on spending 5-6 days in there and could use any info about the area I can get. My biggest concerns are making sure I have all the equipment I will need and the fact that I'm not familiar with the area. This will be my first backpacking hunting trip so any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! For those of you who have hunted the Bob any info on what to expect in there would be great.
 
The Bob is a pretty big area. Might want to be a little more specific.
 
I'm just looking more for general tips on how to prepare for a backpacking trip and what kinds of things to expect
 
I hunted the 'Bob' a lot, many years ago, so nothing on current conditions. I remember it had many steep areas as I was hiking but would open up where I could glass open areas. It had elk but I never saw a lot ,it may have been me and not the area. It has great views and is worth the hike.

as said above visit it before your hunt to get a feel of the area.
 
I agree on using the search function.

I would try really hard to find a spot that is off trail. This will greatly reduce/eliminate the horse traffic. Don't go in with the illusion you are going to find a majestic alpine basin on a main pack trail that will be full of elk. Are you hunting the first two weeks of September prior to the rifle season?

Make sure you have bear spray, are bear aware, and can responsibly take care of yourself in the backcountry. Good luck!
 
I agree on using the search function.

I would try really hard to find a spot that is off trail. This will greatly reduce/eliminate the horse traffic. Don't go in with the illusion you are going to find a majestic alpine basin on a main pack trail that will be full of elk. Are you hunting the first two weeks of September prior to the rifle season?

Make sure you have bear spray, are bear aware, and can responsibly take care of yourself in the backcountry. Good luck!
Yes I plan on going in early September. I will check out those other forums. Thanks for the ideas!
 
Don't skimp on good gear, I learned the hard way with a cheap pack and boots. A life straw is an amazing tool or another brand would work too. Expect to run out of water, so if you're close enough take a few trips up early and stage water if you can. Good luck.
 
I'm not one to say anyone should shy away from an adventure. That said a solo backpack elk hunt in the Bob (which nearly guarantees big mileage totals) is likely to be a real eye opener if successful, even for someone who is 100% dialed in on their backpacking skills. Good luck and have fun, it is beautiful for sure. Having a packer as an exit strategy would be worth exploring.

Here is an adult onset hunter who did it recently, coming into hunting from a history of remote adventure sports. You might find some inspiration if nothing else: https://bedrockandparadox.com/2017/11/24/a-perfect-hunting-story/

Here's a thread with my general September gear list that may be of use. MANY ways to skin a cat though. https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/backpack-mule-deer-gear-list-sept-2018.284900/
 
Welcome to HT.
Be sure to take pics, video and prep for a good story to share. Success is not the harvest of an elk, though it certainly adds to the extent of success.

The success I find when hunting the Bob is the adventure itself. I tell myself this as I've yet to harvest an elk in the Bob for my various trek's in during the hunt. 😄 If archery is your flavor, stick to it though, I'll reach out and touch one with my rifle during that season.

They are tough to find and a challenge to reach. Blow-down galore, hiking over passes, etc gives the bulls an advantage, at least in the areas I've hunted. Seen them though connecting the dots make these hunts the thrilled backcountry success they are.

If solo, look into a drop camp setting.

Best to ya. Again prep to write-up a good story of your adventure!
 
I'm not one to say anyone should shy away from an adventure. That said a solo backpack elk hunt in the Bob (which nearly guarantees big mileage totals) is likely to be a real eye opener if successful, even for someone who is 100% dialed in on their backpacking skills. Good luck and have fun, it is beautiful for sure. Having a packer as an exit strategy would be worth exploring.

Here is an adult onset hunter who did it recently, coming into hunting from a history of remote adventure sports. You might find some inspiration if nothing else: https://bedrockandparadox.com/2017/11/24/a-perfect-hunting-story/

Here's a thread with my general September gear list that may be of use. MANY ways to skin a cat though. https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/backpack-mule-deer-gear-list-sept-2018.284900/
Thanks for sharing!
 
Thought I'd hop into a relative thread for this Q.

I'm doing a solo boot hike hunt into the Bob this year for rifle early hunt and contemplating bringing my backpacking dog. He's been on many multi day fishing trips and one hunt trek over the past decade... and he's still rockin'. The hunt he's been w/ I took a muley and he was just fine throughout the event including the shot fired. I shoot at home - so he's pretty used to the noise.
We've crossed wildlife from moose - griz and while I'm always concerned over events of the sort - he's managed himself as good as it gets. Basically, he's been a stellar back country companion.

With that said, we've crossed 'yotes and he's done well though the general area I'm routing to, I've encountered wolves almost every event. From fresh scat/tracks to hearing and once seeing them etc. The events w/ 'yotes had him very curious though he stayed by my side. I believe they were trying to lure him out of the camp area at night. Anyone dealt with wolves while accompanied by your dog? How aggressive might they be, i.e. I'd imagine they're territorial agenda would heighten their aggression, etc? And no, as much as I'd like to pop a wolf, he's not bait. ;)

Probably very few have direct experience with this setting though if you have, I'd appreciate some understanding of the setting. Have a call in with a couple wolf specialists. I was surprised to see Diane Boyd is no longer with FWP.
 
I don’t think it’s a concern as long as the dog stays relatively close to you. I’ve run into a wolf while I had my dog with me and it acted like the other wolves I’ve encountered, it got out of Dodge. I’ve also heard wolves howling from camp and my dog was scared of the sound, he wanted nothing to do with it. The only people I know who have had wolves go after dogs have been houndsmen when their lion dogs were out running a track.
 
Here is how I figured out how to hunt the Bob. I been in 7 times for bow hunt elk in rut and rifle. Pick the area you think u want to go in. Call the forest service ask where the guides are camped and hunt there. The forest service has to tell your where the guide camp is. Then you will have the area to hunt narrowed down.
 
Gastro Gnome - Eat Better Wherever

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