Need Opinions & Insight: UT -> MT

[jayintheusa]

Hey all...here's where I need some input. I currently reside in Southern Utah, hunted here most of my life along with areas of Colorado. I have a job offer in Kallispell, MT that I'm seriously considering. Love to fish, hike, camp etc...BUT my love is pursuing Muleys. Another thing about UT is there are miles and miles of two-tracks, you can jump in the buggy and go for days. It's mostly BLM and NF with few restrictions. I don't think this area has the same kind of access? I'm all about hiking and backcountry hunting but it's nice to throw the kids and dogs in the Can-Am and cruise around.

From what I've been researching and what I've heard, most of the wilderness around the Flathead valley is not great for Muleys and Elk, especially the Bob wilderness.

Anyone here live in that area? What are the pros/cons? What disappointments am I potentially setting myself up for

Thanks Roksliders

 

[Geewhiz]

There is a ton of usfs access and lots of 2 track to drive in that area. Look up sterling extreme outdoors on you tube. He hunts that neck of the woods and he drags some nice animals out of those hills and you will be able to get a feel for what kind of country it is. Very different from utah.

There is alot of country in the NW part of the state that I think in many ways get overlooked by alot of people because people think it's easier to drive to eastern mt and blast a forky from the road.

The weather up there can be a drag in the winter. Lots of overcast and not alot of bluebird days through the winter.

 

[graniteghost]

I think the deer hunting is called not great in that neck of the woods due to the way you have to hunt them. It’s thick, steep, and hard to glass effectively over large swaths of area. However, as mentioned above there are some big bucks, that probably die of old age in that country. I live in Helena and usually end up traveling closer to that area of the state to hunt mule deer. There can also be surprisingly big mountain whitetail, and you’ll be in some of the best bear hunting country in the state. You’ll find a ton of logging roads to cruise around with the family in the summer. You’d be able to get the kids and wife out on forest service roads and pick a ton of berries in the summer if you’re into that sort of thing.

 

[jayintheusa]

There is a ton of usfs access and lots of 2 track to drive in that area. Look up sterling extreme outdoors on you tube. He hunts that neck of the woods and he drags some nice animals out of those hills and you will be able to get a feel for what kind of country it is. Very different from utah.

There is alot of country in the NW part of the state that I think in many ways get overlooked by alot of people because people think it's easier to drive to eastern mt and blast a forky from the road.

The weather up there can be a drag in the winter. Lots of overcast and not alot of bluebird days through the winter.

Thanks for the tip on sterling, stud bucks for sure! Gives me hope

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Plenty of remote woods. Different than Utah, not as open. Noticeably further north and cloudier weather, the winters are long and dark. It's the same warning you'll get anywhere, but take a serious look at housing. It's not just that it's expensive, there also just might not be much of it available.

 

[Pony Soldier]

There is nice country but a lot of steep rocky jungles. It can but warm/hot early in the season and wet/rainy in the middle. End of the season can warm and dry to crotch deep in snow. Don't count on anything. Lot's of roads to nowhere. It's a challenge.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Cloudy in the winter, smokey in the summer.

Get used to hunting WT deer rather than MD. You can put in for a premier draw for MD, but it might be 20+ years.

All the roads are gated come hunting season.

Elk hunting isn’t great there as it’s full of wolves and griz.