So thinking about buying a new Mathews. Saved up money looking for something new. I want to build me own bow finally. I've only ever owned 2 bows in my life. Got a Cabelas special package bow when I was a kid, used until college. Then bought my current bow an Elite Synergy from a buddy that...
Arrowed a cow a last day. Saw close to 200 elk throughout the week. A ton of 4x4 and 5x5 bulls. Never found a legal bull. Cows/calfs were in large herds which was fun to see.
I'd look at 51 along with 52. Both Carson NF. Alot of either sex tags given and lots of small bulls and cows. Both were my first two draw years and learned a ton just watching elk groups interact.
I have hunted 52 before in the late season. Its a good area population wise. You wont need to hike far off a road to find elk. Finding decent bulls is a challenge. But get in some dense stuff and away from roads and you'll see elk.
Is the snow enough here to push elk into the lower country? A couple feet doesn't seem like to much of a problem. I would imagine bulls sticking up high even with a foot or two of snow.