Montana Unlimited units

[Midwest_mountain_hunter]

Spoiler -I’m a super noob and I’m not a billionaire…I know it’s a shock. Alas, my only real option for sheep hunting is the unlimited units of Montana. I have searched Rokslide for info about the unlimited but all the posts are several years old.

No one wants to give up the honey hole, and I’m not asking…unless you’re telling….I’m more curious about the terrain. Specifically unit 501. Full disclosure, I’ve only done 2 western hunts in my life. A black bear in MT and a goat in Haines AK….I tend to punch above my weight class lol!

Anyone with experience in unit 501? What’s the hiking like? Is it steep? Thick brush? Is water readily available? How are the bears there, prolific? Aggressive?

I appreciate any suggestions. Now 501 is about 411 square miles, so obviously terrain could vary, but all information is good.

Thanks!

 

[Mojave]

You must have read enough on Rockslide to learn that no one actually shares information about it. Asking about units is forbidden.

 

[Midwest_mountain_hunter]

You must have read enough on Rockslide to learn that no one actually shares information about it. Asking about units is forbidden.

I have not, like I said. I’m a super noob. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll remember that from now on

 

[Bambistew]

Those hunts are some of the hardest in the west, both physically and mentally.

They're unlimited for a reason.

Good luck.

 

[Snowhunter11]

Anyone with experience in unit 501? What’s the hiking like? Hiking on the moon. Lots of rocks big and small.

Is it steep? Yes it sure can be in a lot of areas. The area has some of the highest peaks in Montana

Thick brush? In areas shred your clothes thick and pokey

Is water readily available? Depends on the melting snow pack and how much rain has fallen.

How are the bears there, prolific? Depends on the year. But yes some areas have a lot of bear shit

Aggressive? All bears are different just like humans.

All of these subjects can be researched. A lot of people walk in a few miles and just camp. Never to return again…

My advice-
Perfect your survival/camping/packing skills on easier hunts before attempting what I consider the ultimate competition for sheep. Mountain athletes from all over the US, Canada, and even world show up with little odds of success.

 

[MTGunner]

The unlimited in MT is a crap shoot. So many tags are sold. Lots of starry eyed hunters cover each zone. You would have to spend weeks searching good cover and if you were lucky enough, put a ram to bed the night before opening day. The terrain isn’t that heavy cover. We, two 73 year old old farts, hiked to the top of the pass. Very doable. Bears? Yes, there are black and griz. BTW, you had better sleep where you spotted that ram. PLUS, it has to be a legal ram. Good luck. MTG

 

[Midwest_mountain_hunter]

Thanks gents, this is good feedback. I was going into it assuming it would likely be a glorified camping trip, but if you never try you can never succeed!

If anyone has something to add please feel free! Happy hunting.

 

[jpmulk]

If you really want it then go do it. But it’s a multi year thing. I know a few guys have gotten it done in those units. I’ve heard the average is 7 years before filling a tag if you hit it hard. I know one guy it took 6 or 7 years and the other it took 3. They basically gave up archery elk and would be in the unlimited unit for 10-14 days at a time. Takes a while to learn weather and sheep patterns. Plus you are looking for a needle in a haystack. You need to want it and you need to enjoy just being in the backcountry. And you need to be ok with not filling a tag.

 

[DIYHNT]

The unlimited in MT is a crap shoot. So many tags are sold. Lots of starry eyed hunters cover each zone. You would have to spend weeks searching good cover and if you were lucky enough, put a ram to bed the night before opening day. The terrain isn’t that heavy cover. We, two 73 year old old farts, hiked to the top of the pass. Very doable. Bears? Yes, there are black and griz. BTW, you had better sleep where you spotted that ram. PLUS, it has to be a legal ram. Good luck. MTG

Good suggestions, I wish I had read this before going on the hunt. Could have make a real difference.

 

[The Guide]

Good suggestions, I wish I had read this before going on the hunt. Could have make a real difference.

Anyone who has researched and talked to people would know every thing you quoted. I know people that had multiple groups of hunters camped on 1 ram. They were filming the ram waiting on legal light when another hunter shot the ram 3 minutes early. Nobody got to keep that ram and the FWP had to come site the shooter and take the head and meat. Cutthroat, tough, limited success hunt.

Jay

 

[COSA]

Hunted it a few times. Access in the South is fairly easy, but more hunters and your hoping a ram comes out of the park. Coming in from the North is tougher to get high, as much of the area burned, and the deadfall, doghair regrowth, and boulder fields make it tough - if you get an early snowfall it's downright treacherous. The county is big and cliffed in; it's not easy to move drainage's w/o coming all the way down to the river. It's not an enjoyable hunt, and the country lacks game. As for bears, I jumped a sow and yearling cub at close range, luckily she ran the other way. In the 3 times I hunted it, only saw a handful of ewes and a sickle horned ram.