Montana WMA Opener

[802flyfish]

Can anyone recommend a WMA in SW Montana that might be worth checking out when the WMA's open this Friday for shed hunting? I've found a few articles, but some are over 20 years old. I've been training my pup over the past few months so I want to giver her the best possibility on finding a shed or two. Any recommendations or tips on shed hunting would be appreciated!

 

[BuzzH]

If you want to witness a total clown show, head to the sun river...

Its a spectacular display of stupid.

 

[MTLabrador]

I’ve been talked into the shed opener madness only once before by a friend. Never again. Not my idea of a good time.

 

[802flyfish]

I've seen a few videos of Sun River and it doesn't look appealing. I actually live a few miles from a WMA above West Yellowstone. This is my first year looking for sheds so I'm not sure what to expect..

 

[MThuntr]

I've seen a few videos of Sun River and it doesn't look appealing. I actually live a few miles from a WMA above West Yellowstone. This is my first year looking for sheds so I'm not sure what to expect..

expect there to be a line of guys camped starting very soon. Last year at one of the WMAs there were guys camped out the Saturday a week before the opener for their "spot". What a nightmare...in my not popular opinion I wish they'd require horn buyers/sellers to pay taxes on those public resources

 

[802flyfish]

Luckily, I have a few within a hour or two drive. Just want to be strategic about it. A few people have mentioned that the WMA on the Madison get picked over before it even opens up. Not sure if there any truth to it or not?

 

[PaulRevere]

I hear YNP is good

 

[Nameless Range]

Montana has many beautiful and valuable WMAs. Some have already opened from their winter closure.

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1&layers=a832efc4e3de4f07a60442ad7327fd74

If you have a free day to go hike with your dog, I would identify some wintering grounds that aren't WMAs. The whole Black Friday for shed hunters thing is gross to me, and may be a poor venue to work a pup without distraction.

 

[golfer]

expect there to be a line of guys camped starting very soon. Last year at one of the WMAs there were guys camped out the Saturday a week before the opener for their "spot". What a nightmare...in my not popular opinion I wish they'd require horn buyers/sellers to pay taxes on those public resources

There’s been about 15 vehicles lined up for over a month at the sun river gate.

 

[rustneversleeps]

A few people have mentioned that the WMA on the Madison get picked over before it even opens up. Not sure if there any truth to it or not?

A lot of the WMAs get poached early

 

[802flyfish]

A lot of the WMAs get poached early

That’s a shame.

 

[Desert Sheep]

I'm number 3X in line at Sun River after dropping my truck off last Friday. It's just entertaining to go watch the horse take off along with the runners. Plus it's a day off work with my brothers, son and wife.