Yo no hablo inglés.

[Lefty]

My wife and I came across a young man from Chili running sheep in SW Montana. Apparently he wanted to practice his English. He stopped us and asked if we were looking for deer and elk. We shortly found out that was the only English he knew. Amazing since he spoke that question so well .
My wife was able to understand much of what he was saying. "How much was a elk tag to rifle hunt?" "Do moose sheds have much value." "were can I sell sell moose antlers"
But he could barely contain his excitement about the picture of a big bull elk he had taken a picture of less than an hour earlier.
He had some words of elk hunting wisdom. " Elk go in the blowdown to get away from sheep"
We really wished the weather wasnt turning. He was so enthusiastic to hunt elk, and really wanted to talk.
Do you recall the old grizzle without any teeth that was put down last week for killing sheep. They had moved their sheep because of the killings.

Fascinating young man Anyway a nice visit in nowhere land, elk country!!

[Elkhunttoo]

I could probably tell you the name of that sheep herders boss ... Idk how long you have been hunting that area or if that area is where your tag is for but I know fairly well. I'll have to send you a pm

[Bow4me]

That's the most amazing story I've ever heard. You mean to tell me that you ran into someone in the elk woods and they told you that they had seen elk! Every time I run into somebody they always tell me that they haven't seen any elk all week only hunters. The last elk they seen was going off the mountain probably moved down to lower elevation.

[Swede]

I wish more ranchers only spoke Spanish. The ones I run into tell me, "bla, bla, bla the elk are overrunning the area and eating up all the forage". They saw a hundred just yesterday. The funny thing is that they left no tracks and only cow manure can be seen for miles around. I like your friend and think you should keep in contact with him.

[ishy]

Sheep herders are great resources. Some may need to know that you are a coyote hunter and just watch the flood gates open.

[twinkieman]

Donde esta muy grande verrano?

All hunters should learn this Spanish language phrase.

[Indian Summer]

So funny Rory but before I even clicked on this thread I already knew what I was going to say. I didn't even know what you'd be talking about but I was going to say that if there are sheep herders where you hunt it would really pay to know some Spanish. Some places I hunt have them and they are from Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and other places fairly south of um..... the south. I wish I could remember some of their names. They carve their names and dates into the smooth white bark of the bigger aspen trees. Some are ancient but you can still read them.

Regardless of whether or not you speak Spanish you need to keep wind direction in mind and be sure to stand upwind of those dudes while you are talking to them. I think even the sheep do that. But they are obviously a wealth of information since they live up there. They might not know much about actually hunting elk but they dang sure know where to find a few.

Sometimes new members on here feel like they have nothing to offer. Especially to veteran elk hunters. I disagree and think that their perspective on things can often be a reality check for guys like me who kinda have blinders on because we are so set in our ways and routines. The fact is that you don't have to be an encyclopedia of information and lots of times I read newbie posts and there will be one sentence that makes me raise my eyebrows meaning... I just learned a little something right there.

For me this post did just that. The one thing I'll take from it is this "" Elk go in the blowdown to get away from sheep"

I have hunt plans where there are sheep herders. I tell guys what to do if they are in the area. It's not rocket science right... move two ridges over or to the opposite side of the drainage. I have to include a plan B to allow for that. Sheep are short legged and blowdowns are like a fence to them. Cattle aren't much different although they will plow through a few things to get to some green grass. No sheep means no sheep dogs or smelly sheepherders. Usually it means no hunters as well! My legs aren't much longer than a sheep, which is another reason I stay away from them , and those blowdowns suck!

Brilliant!!!

Gracias me amigo!