After being alerted by residents who observed a pair of hikers traversing the closed slopes of Mount Jumbo Missoula officials took chase in an attempt to bring the two men off the mountain.
The area above the “L” monument on Mount Jumbo is closed and prohibits travel during the winter months spanning from December 1st to March 15th of each year to protect a local herd of elk. As with neighboring states, Montana has experienced a great deal of snowfall so far this year, which can often prove to be harsh on wildlife, especially large mammals such as elk.
Missoula conservation lands managers Morgan Vallian took chase on Mount Jumbo after he witnessed a number of elk retreating from an area and watched the duo attempt to set up camp on the mountain.
“Trespassing is one thing, but setting up camp in the middle of most-used bedding area for elk is another,” Valliant told The Missoulian. “We’ve caught a few other people on the mountain in past years, but none have been this incredibly blatant or stayed this long or made the elk move as much as these guys have. The elk were at full gallop busting through snow to get away. At this time of year, with a big winter going on, they’re living off resources they’ve gathered in summer and fall. Burning calories running away from a couple day-hikers isn’t good for the herd.”
If caught, the two men would be subject to citing for criminal trespass of a closed wildlife area after they blatantly walked around a gated trailhead with clearly displayed ‘closed’ signs.
“They got all 60 elk running all over the place. I’m sure they had a really nice hike, at the expense of 60 elk and all the taxpayer dollars of all the people standing around watching and waiting for them to come down. It was an incredibly selfish act.” Valliant said.
