I had a very similar issue with schnees boots. I switched brands a few times and ended up with Kennitrek Mountain Extremes... After that no more hot spots. I also wear the stone glacier socks for what its worth.
I've actually herd about people having better results with the ELD-m than the ELD-x. That eldx bullet often blows apart and you dont get an exit wound. Good for killing but bad for blood trails
6.5 prc is fine, just dont shoot the eldx bullets out of it. I have shot 3 elk with those bullets now and all left zero blood trail and even with double lung shots the elk didnt go down for 100 +/- yards.
I think you guys might be giving the mt fwp a bit too much credit. They cant even conduct a proper drawing let alone track every etag in real time as it is validated.
I actually guided for Tom/ Medicine Lake Outfitters for ONE year. As @naturechampion said, he has trouble keeping guides and helpers more than 1-2 season. He is a pretty tough guy to get along with, not the nicest guy to his staff. That being said I do think he is a bit misunderstood, he is not...
At first when I herd about the choose your weapon I really was against it. The more ive thought about it though the more I am coming around to it. It really would lessen the hunting pressure overall. that along with choose your district could transform the hunting experience for the average...
If they implement this it would just create a whole new set of problems. Mule deer is the foremost but I can see rifle season would be even more of a shit show.
If I was you I'd go guided. It's just too special of an opportunity to waste learning everything you would have to learn. My vote would be go late season for the migratory bulls. If you've never elk hunted it would give you probably the best experience and introduction into elk hunting you could...
Also would say maybe Montana Hunting Company. Id probably try to go on the Flying D. It would be pricey but you'd have a good chance at you B&C Goal probably
1. Friend who bails, nothing worse than looking forward to a hunt and having your partner bail last minute due to some "very import and convienient reason".
2. Took a "friend" hunting last year. We went 2 days before the season to scout. I showed him a few spots and said i'd like to hit them...