Snapshot Report post Posted January 12, 2019 This photo was captured by a pilot, just south of Ennis Montana, in the Madison Valley. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted January 13, 2019 The Madison is my favorite place on earth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Flatlander said: The Madison is my favorite place on earth. These elk were not far away from the runway of Big Sky airport. I have driven by there many times. The valley is almost all private property, with the exception of the easement along the river. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckshotaz Report post Posted January 13, 2019 Where are they going? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 13, 2019 4 minutes ago, buckshotaz said: Where are they going? Nowhere. They winter in the Valley where this photo was taken. They live up high in the Madison range in the summer, as well as the Gravelly range on the west side of the river. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcshorthairs Report post Posted January 13, 2019 Very cool 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted January 13, 2019 That's really encouraging. I thought the herds up there were getting decimated by wolves. Like they are in NM, for example. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted January 13, 2019 I've taken a couple cows from that herd. They stay primarily on a ranch with leased hunting rights to an outfitter. The herd does scatter at night and wander on to State land where they are legal to shoot. Can turn into a wild shooting gallery with bullets flying in all directions. A good way to fill the freezer though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted January 13, 2019 8 minutes ago, Coach said: That's really encouraging. I thought the herds up there were getting decimated by wolves. Like they are in NM, for example. The herd on the Gardner side, north Yellowstone, is dramatically less, but on the west side, the herd has held strong. The herd on the Jackson Side, south, has also seen a big decline I believe. One population that isn't mentioned much is the Moose. They are really hurting. They winter in high country where they become easy target for wolves when the snow starts to pile up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 13, 2019 I have heard that the Montana Wildlife Department tries to work with landowners to allow hunter access to help harvest more cow elk. They are(were) trying to thin the herd in the Madison range, because of the lack of carrying capacity of winter range areas, and other issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted January 13, 2019 I wouldn't be surprised if that ranch does allow a limited number on to the ranch to harvest cows. They didn't back the last time I hunted there, but that's over 10 years ago now. The Bulls on the ranch all have big dollar signs on them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted January 13, 2019 That's probably the ones square mile of private property right there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted January 13, 2019 If memory serves, that herd is usually over 2,000 critters Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allforelk Report post Posted January 13, 2019 Pretty sure I’ve seen video of people dumping bales off flat beds to help feed this herd. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
