Deer Lodge National Forest MT

[Timber]

Does anyone have any recent knowledge on how the wolves are in this part of MT? Looking for a new spot in MT but do not like hunting around an over abundance wolf population. Also any knowledge of grizzly bears in this area? Thanks for any information.

[Timber]

Dang I think I found a secret spot that has never been hunted before!!

[BrentLaBere]

No first hand knowledge of the area. Just what I have heard and done research on myself. Shouldn't be any grizz in the area, but there sure are wolves. But that goes with everywhere in MT. For the most part. I have heard the Big Hole area has a lot of pressure. Wish I could help you more...

[Timber]

Thanks Brent. Yes I looked at MT fish and game site about wolves but they are not very accurate at times. I am trying to find the least amount of wolves that I can. Sounds crazy I know but I hate those things!

[RAMMONT]

I really can't say from direct knowledge because I don't live around Deer Lodge, but I do live just over the ridge from there toward the east, along the Continental Divide. I've not seen any wolves or grizzlies around what would be considered the eastern side of the Deer Lodge area but I have seen black bears and a few wolf tracks on some of the ridges. I don't know any ranchers or farmers so I don't have any local info from the kinds of people that may be more aware of what's going on.

I know that the official reports show several wolf sightings and packs around Deer Lodge but what those reports actually mean is like all bureaucratic BS, it makes little to no sense. Some reports seem to indicate that there is only one wolf pack and others indicate at least 4 packs as of 2015. The "experts" claim that most wolf packs in our area only have, at most, a half dozen animals so you aren't talking about a lot of animals but they do have pretty big ranges.

As for grizzlies, all I know is that we've had two animals removed (relocated or killed) by the authorities just to the east of Deer Lodge and then there was the recent bear attack south of Bozeman/ Butte so that's three incidents that I know of just to the east of Deer Lodge but only one was an attack on a person and that was because the guy got too close to a sow with cubs. Statistically you have more to worry about with black bears anyways, mostly because there are a lot more of them.

[Timber]

Yes thanks Ram! I know I will have some wolves in almost every area in MT but just trying to find a few different areas that have a few wolves compared to an infestation like my old area. As far as the grizzly bears, I am ok with them but again do not want an area crawling with them. I appreciate the help!

[Ridge Ghost]

Can you narrow it down a little? The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a huge area that covers the bulk of southwest Montana. Much of it is not really grizzly country, but some of it definitely is, particularly in the Snowcrest, Gravelly and Centennial ranges.

As for wolves, they are pretty much everywhere in Montana. Outside of the breaks and some other places on the east side, there really isn't much for wolf-free areas. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. There's still plenty of elk around if you find the right spot. Just go hunt.

[Timber]

Ridge, thank you! I did not realize it was that large of an area. I am a bit confused as looking at google maps all I see is a chunk south of 43 and west of 15 it is slightly SW of Butte.

[Lefty]

Can you narrow it down a little? The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a huge area that covers the bulk of southwest Montana. Much of it is not really grizzly country, but some of it definitely is, particularly in the Snowcrest, Gravelly and Centennial ranges.
As for wolves, they are pretty much everywhere in Montana. Outside of the breaks and some other places on the east side, there really isn't much for wolf-free areas. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. There's still plenty of elk around if you find the right spot. Just go hunt.

what he said

We came across a warning sign posted that a Grizzlie was feeding on a carcass in the Gravelly. Lots of guys were scouting for elk the week end we were there

[Timber]

Ok thanks Lefty. I guess I was not aware of it being that vast. I guess I should start pounding the maps more before asking such a broad question. Thanks for the help.

[snowbank]

West of Deerlodge has both griz and wolves. East of Deerlodge was heavy in wolves and griz keep showing up in unpleasant places. South of Dillon Griz are faitly common especially on the east side of the valley. Near Butte, west has wolves while east has fewer. Griz are infrequent but not unheard of. As one wrote, you need to focus where since you are still in forest over 130 miles north south.