Hyalite Peak, Bozeman, MT

[MT_Elkaholic]

Anyone in the Bozeman, MT area know if the basins around Hyalite Peak would be decent for mule deer/elk in September? The Google Earth imagery looks amazing but considering the time it takes to hike in I don't want to spend time scouting it if it's no good. Much appreciated!

 

[Big Fin]

The "work to potential reward ratio" would put that peak and surrounding basins very low on my list for elk and I can see it from my front porch. It would be so far down the scale for mule deer, I probably would not even count that as part of my list. If you are talking the lower basins near the Reservior, you will get to be on a first name basis with every MSU and Bozeman High student who skipped class and wanted a cool place to go and hike/shoot/drink that day.

But, it is some amazing country to look around in. Good luck.

 

[dexnrex]

Interesting how things change. I attended MSU in the early 90's and got my first taste of mountain hunting around Hyalite reservior. Every time I went up I saw elk and muledeer and many times moose. Back then I think the locals overlooked it. My last year there, '94, I did start running into more hikers, bikers and horseback riders and less game. I can only imagine how busy it is nowdays.

 

[Beartooth83]

While I lived in Bozeman, the only four-legged critters I ever saw in that area were domestic dogs and 1 pissed off mama moose that would not let me get down to the inlet to fish.

 

[RobG]

Anyone in the Bozeman, MT area know if the basins around Hyalite Peak would be decent for mule deer/elk in September? The Google Earth imagery looks amazing but considering the time it takes to hike in I don't want to spend time scouting it if it's no good. Much appreciated!

If you live here I would put Hyalite and Blackmore peaks (and perhaps the Emerald/Heather lake trail) on your must do list - but for day hikes, not for hunting.

 

[Wapitifever]

Hyalite holds some good elk numbers, I pushed out about 10 last November, no more than 1/2 a mile from the reservoir. 2 good buddies got there raghorns opening morning of rifle last year up there. As for deer never seen too many big ones, a coworker found a nice 5x deadhead last week that wasn't more than 2-3 months old

 

[Deleted member 20812]

There are good looking women up there too.

 

[RobG]

and you mind find me too


and a shot from Blackmore for good measure.

 

[Frenchy]

Really haven't seen much for deer up there. There are a few elk, but not in very high densities. Especially for the amount of people that you see running around up there.