Endangered Grizzly Bear Photo Thread

What’s the correct procedure here? Do I have to start ranting about politics and cussing people out? 🤣
 
@YoungGun I deleted my post on that date and number data. Regardless of what is says it is indeed grist back there. I’d been hesitant to post that before and shouldn’t have done it now.
 
A lot has changed with the UL and sheep hunting in MT in the last 25? years. I think the bonus point system started in 97? The most important change was MT going to points and the changes they implemented after. Like sitting out, getting an UL permit (killing a sheep) and keeping your points. Prior to points you applied for an UL permit or a limited permit. There was no "OTC" tags, you committed June 1. You also couldn't sit out a year, if you did you lost your points, and you couldn't get an UL tag and not use your points. Lots of loopholes added to let people get the best of both.

Unit 301 used to issue about 130 UL permits every year from the late 80-late 90s before it closed. The rest of them floated between 50 and 80ish. The numbers tanked when the preference point system went into effect. Everyone wanted to build points thinking that was their only true way to getting a sheep tag so they chose that route. Many have figure out that they are so far behind the top point holders, that applying for a limited tag is pointless. So they have gone to UL. MT also issued at least 50% more limited ram tags a year, AND there was probably half as many people applying for them. I remember applying for the upper Root tags that had draw odds in the 5-7% range. I'm sure @BuzzH or @shoots-straight may remember even higher percentages in the 80s.

I think there is a lot more social media coverage on those units, but I don't think they are really any more popular than they were in the past. Its still just a camping trip for 99% of the participants, and always has been. Does it really matter if its on a quota if more people go? Is it really more competition, when the majority rarely make it off the trail?

What's funny is there has literally been 2-3 generations of hunters chasing UL rams prior to the Johnny-come-lately SM fame chasers.
 
Bambistew said:
A lot has changed with the UL and sheep hunting in MT in the last 25? years. I think the bonus point system started in 97? The most important change was MT going to points and the changes they implemented after. Like sitting out, getting an UL permit (killing a sheep) and keeping your points. Prior to points you applied for an UL permit or a limited permit. There was no "OTC" tags, you committed June 1. You also couldn't sit out a year, if you did you lost your points, and you couldn't get an UL tag and not use your points. Lots of loopholes added to let people get the best of both.

Unit 301 used to issue about 130 UL permits every year from the late 80-late 90s before it closed. The rest of them floated between 50 and 80ish. The numbers tanked when the preference point system went into effect. Everyone wanted to build points thinking that was their only true way to getting a sheep tag so they chose that route. Many have figure out that they are so far behind the top point holders, that applying for a limited tag is pointless. So they have gone to UL. MT also issued at least 50% more limited ram tags a year, AND there was probably half as many people applying for them. I remember applying for the upper Root tags that had draw odds in the 5-7% range. I'm sure @BuzzH or @shoots-straight may remember even higher percentages in the 80s.

I think there is a lot more social media coverage on those units, but I don't think they are really any more popular than they were in the past. Its still just a camping trip for 99% of the participants, and always has been. Does it really matter if its on a quota if more people go? Is it really more competition, when the majority rarely make it off the trail?

What's funny is there has literally been 2-3 generations of hunters chasing UL rams prior to the Johnny-come-lately SM fame chasers.
Click to expand...
Spot on, great post. I do think the preference system started in 2000. Yes, I remember when the breaks tags were 5-10% draw odds. Duncan Gilchrist even wrote in one of his books that the breaks would never produce a B&C ram, many believed that. Lower Rock Creek had some very good odds the first couple years as well.
 
Bambistew said:
A lot has changed with the UL and sheep hunting in MT in the last 25? years.
Click to expand...
I'd say this whole situation is just a microcosm of hunting out west in general. But honestly, I'm surprised about the lack of media about the UL. I would think there would way more articles and videos about the one DIY bighorn hunt for non residents. That being said, the lack of information means every single person who's ever googled this hunt gets suggested this thread, and I bet you almost all those guys who killed rams in there this year, and I don't know any personally, have read this thread.
 
BlueSLYR said:
I'd say this whole situation is just a microcosm of hunting out west in general. But honestly, I'm surprised about the lack of media about the UL. I would think there would way more articles and videos about the one DIY bighorn hunt for non residents. That being said, the lack of information means every single person who's ever googled this hunt gets suggested this thread, and I bet you almost all those guys who killed rams in there this year, and I don't know any personally, have read this thread.
Click to expand...
Writing articles or making videos of unsuccess sheep hunts don't sell too well. :D
 
Even if it's not the biggest thread, I'd be surprised if it isn't the most viewed.
 
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