I'm not saying there is anything wrong with road hunting. I road hunt all the way to and from my intended stalk and still hunt destinations. I appreciate the legal game that give themselves up on the road. All my grouse were taken while road hunting this year. With my road hunt, I'm the slow fart that everyone passes by. But these dirt bikes and atvs that pepper the rocks afterwards is something else.
THat's a great way to describe the spots - pockets. I haven't been hunting them incorrectly. I've walked through their areas, recognized the deer signs but blew it by not realizing that these BT's will reside in these tiny pockets and I just passed right on through these areas without enough investigation. I also know that these suckers sure like to be near rock bluff that will make goats second guess their footings. And they watch you - I swear the moment you make eye contact, they book it never to be seen again.
I'll get one sooner or later but it sure as heck won't be up Harrison. Sure would be nice to get up onto that low plateau between Harrison and Agassiz.
Start thinking in pockets for hunting in general not just BT. Most people do just like you did and hike right past the sign rather then put in the time to see what is making
Now that you are thinking pockets start thinking how small of a pocket can hold huntable deer populations. There is some awesome BT pockets that are overlooked because it’s a small area.
Bluffs are good but there is no lack of low land deer as well