Grass
I’m writing this just after getting out of the hills from one of our spring black bear hunts. Besides the chance to chase bears with clients and friends, it’s also the perfect time to start scouting for this fall. As hunters, we know animal behavior and locations don’t stay the same from spring to summer to fall, but it’s still a great chance to get into the backcountry. We start taking an inventory of everything from the animals and trail conditions to potential honey holes long before that first bugle echoes through the timber in September. Summer scouting is easily one of the most important parts of getting ready for a successful season. It gives us a real look at elk patterns, mule deer movement, feed conditions, and how the herds are doing overall.
For us, scouting is about a lot more than just checking trail cameras (Wyoming’s got strict rules on those) or glassing hillsides. It’s about really understanding the mountains, the animals, and how changing conditions might impact the season ahead.
Here’s a look at how we scout for elk and deer during the summer months in the Gros Ventre Range of Wyoming.
Why Summer Scouting Matters
The mountains are constantly changing. Snowpack, rainfall, pressure from predators, feed quality, wildfire activity, and even winter severity all influence where animals spend their time.
Summer scouting helps us:
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Locate bachelor groups of bulls and mature bucks
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Monitor herd health and antler growth
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Identify feeding and bedding patterns
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Check water availability
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Evaluate trail conditions and access routes
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Prepare camps (in accordance with our permit) and horse trails before season
While we know elk and deer patterns can shift fast once the hunting pressure starts, summer scouting gives us a solid foundation for the fall.
Covering Country in the Wyoming Backcountry
One of the best things about operating in the Gros Ventre Range is having access to so much remote country. The only catch is that there’s a ton of ground to cover.
Throughout the summer, we’re out there for countless hours:
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Exploring game trails, timber pockets, and hidden parks
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Hiking ridges and basins at daylight and dusk
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Glassing open parks and alpine country
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Monitoring trail systems and crossings
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Looking for fresh sign, tracks, droppings, and rubs
Some days we’ll put in long rides and even longer hikes with nothing to show for it. Other days, we’ll spot a few mature bulls or a giant mule deer buck feeding high above the timberline.
That’s just the reality of western hunting — patience and consistency are everything.
Watching Feed and Water Conditions
One thing a lot of hunters underestimate is how much the weather drives animal behavior.
A wet spring usually means great feed, which spreads animals out. Drier summers can push elk and deer closer to the water and the last bits of green feed.
We pay close attention to:
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Grass and forage quality
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Creek and spring flow
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Drought conditions
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Timber health
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Early storm patterns
Keeping an eye on these conditions helps us figure out where the animals are going to transition once fall hits.
Preparing Horses, Camps, and Trails
Summer scouting is also when we start getting the gear and camps ready to make these backcountry hunts happen.
That means:
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Clearing deadfall from trails
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Packing supplies into camp (which happens in August in accordance with our permit)
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Checking wall tents and equipment
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Conditioning our stock
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Evaluating stream crossings and trail safety
A good hunt starts way before the clients show up. The work we do in the summer makes sure camp runs safely and smoothly once the season opens.
Why We Love Summer in the Mountains
Some of our favorite days of the year happen during summer scouting. It’s a bit more laid back than the fall and it presents a great opportunity to prepare, enjoy and, in a lot of cases, bring our families along for the ride.
These months are just another reminder of why we love this lifestyle and why we’re passionate about sharing it with hunters who come to Wyoming each fall.
Planning Your Wyoming Hunt
Whether you’re applying for tags, building preference points, or planning your first western hunt, preparation matters.
At Mountain Ivory Adventures, we’re spending the summer learning the country and getting camp ready so we can give you a real Wyoming backcountry experience.
If you’ve ever dreamed of hunting elk or mule deer in the Gros Ventre Range, we’d love to help you plan your next adventure.
Contact Mountain Ivory Adventures to learn more about upcoming hunts, Wyoming applications, and what to expect in camp this fall.
