Coop
Well-known member
To begin, I'm not much for words and storytelling, so I'll keep this fairly short and sweet.
This September was one for the books. Not necessarily from a critter harvest standpoint, but from an experience standpoint. While hunting season here in MT is far from over, I hope you all enjoy what September in this wonderful state is all about.
To preface, I have had dreams of hunting the UL's for 15+ years. While I do not plan on going into detail in this thread, for obvious reasons, I will say that this hunt was everything I hoped it would be, plus some.
Through undergrad, grad school, and starting a business, this became something that sat on the backburner for far too many years. My wife and I have been backpacking in the Beartooth's for well over a decade now, and both of us grew up in this country, enjoying fishing, hiking, and peak bagging. Truthfully, this vast expanse has become an integral part of my life (see the 5'x8' map in my office). However, I have not taken advantage of all of the opportunities that these mountains have to offer. Last year, I made myself a promise that I would finally take the leap and get into the UL's in 2025. One problem stood in my way, though. My wife's one stipulation was that I do not go in alone. Frankly, this is fair, and I do not believe it would be very smart to tackle some of these units solo.
Enter Brian and Dan.
With my primary hunting partner going out of state for another hunt, and several friends not willing to miss elk hunting in the middle of September (fair), I was at a loss. Then, I had a conversation with one of my best friends, Branden, who happens to guide in AK. He mentioned that one of his clients, Brian, had hunted the UL's multiple times, and was looking for someone to join.
Bingo.
After several conversations with Brian, and his friend Dan, who was going to tag along without a tag in his pocket, it was set. I was going to head into some of the most remote country in the lower 48 with two guys I had never met. That being said, I couldn't be more excited. All three of us kept in constant contact with ideas, plans, and sheep talk throughout the summer until it was time. I'll save you all a long read. Our final destination consisted of over 5300' vertical with 73# on my back, and we saw some of the most incredible country we could possibly imagine. Compared to my many backpacking trips into this range, it was a drastically different experience. We experienced all 4 seasons multiple times, and this trip tested me both physically and mentally, more than I ever could have imagined.
Brian told us something along these lines before the trip: "Every time I go in, it's miserable, and there is nothing easy about it. It's survival. But I don't get halfway through the flight home before I am planning my next trip to the UL's."
It took me 12 hours.
I won't be sharing many of the hundreds of photos I took during this trip, and some of you may recognize the area in these photos. That's fine. I won't be back to this spot, and I give props to anyone who finds themselves there. Yes, we saw sheep (better than most who tackle this hunt). No, we did not see any legal rams. Goats, bears, and plenty of griz scat made up most of the trip.
To be frank, I'm hooked. I'll be giving up on building sheep points in MT.
Also, I got to know two incredible guys that I'm positive I'll be in touch with for a very long time. The hunting community is special.
Up next: Chasing elk.
This September was one for the books. Not necessarily from a critter harvest standpoint, but from an experience standpoint. While hunting season here in MT is far from over, I hope you all enjoy what September in this wonderful state is all about.
To preface, I have had dreams of hunting the UL's for 15+ years. While I do not plan on going into detail in this thread, for obvious reasons, I will say that this hunt was everything I hoped it would be, plus some.
Through undergrad, grad school, and starting a business, this became something that sat on the backburner for far too many years. My wife and I have been backpacking in the Beartooth's for well over a decade now, and both of us grew up in this country, enjoying fishing, hiking, and peak bagging. Truthfully, this vast expanse has become an integral part of my life (see the 5'x8' map in my office). However, I have not taken advantage of all of the opportunities that these mountains have to offer. Last year, I made myself a promise that I would finally take the leap and get into the UL's in 2025. One problem stood in my way, though. My wife's one stipulation was that I do not go in alone. Frankly, this is fair, and I do not believe it would be very smart to tackle some of these units solo.
Enter Brian and Dan.
With my primary hunting partner going out of state for another hunt, and several friends not willing to miss elk hunting in the middle of September (fair), I was at a loss. Then, I had a conversation with one of my best friends, Branden, who happens to guide in AK. He mentioned that one of his clients, Brian, had hunted the UL's multiple times, and was looking for someone to join.
Bingo.
After several conversations with Brian, and his friend Dan, who was going to tag along without a tag in his pocket, it was set. I was going to head into some of the most remote country in the lower 48 with two guys I had never met. That being said, I couldn't be more excited. All three of us kept in constant contact with ideas, plans, and sheep talk throughout the summer until it was time. I'll save you all a long read. Our final destination consisted of over 5300' vertical with 73# on my back, and we saw some of the most incredible country we could possibly imagine. Compared to my many backpacking trips into this range, it was a drastically different experience. We experienced all 4 seasons multiple times, and this trip tested me both physically and mentally, more than I ever could have imagined.
Brian told us something along these lines before the trip: "Every time I go in, it's miserable, and there is nothing easy about it. It's survival. But I don't get halfway through the flight home before I am planning my next trip to the UL's."
It took me 12 hours.
I won't be sharing many of the hundreds of photos I took during this trip, and some of you may recognize the area in these photos. That's fine. I won't be back to this spot, and I give props to anyone who finds themselves there. Yes, we saw sheep (better than most who tackle this hunt). No, we did not see any legal rams. Goats, bears, and plenty of griz scat made up most of the trip.
To be frank, I'm hooked. I'll be giving up on building sheep points in MT.
Also, I got to know two incredible guys that I'm positive I'll be in touch with for a very long time. The hunting community is special.
Up next: Chasing elk.
