What also burns me is that it seems that they open Eastern modern firearm ealier very year. Like this year is Oct. 25th. and ends in first part of Nov. Look at the weather Patterns. Unless you own a pack string and get up to around 8500ft. level in the total wilderness area it is useless. I my be wrong. Last year I drew a cow tag for Bumping area. Hunted 2500ft. to 7500ft. level with no snow and didn't even see an elk. My partner seen a cow and calf the day before opening of cow season. Talked with Sportsmans Warehouse manager and they packed in with a big hunting crew and shot 13 spike and and two cows at 8500ft. in the snow line. This year thinking about hunting the Westside due to opening up Nov.1st. thru the 10th.