Hunters discussing Unit 172 in Mountain View, Washington, have highlighted the importance of understanding land ownership, noting that the National Forest is a significant public hunting area with limited roads, offering good opportunities for backpack or pack animal hunting. There's a specific emphasis on ensuring clarity between public and private land, especially with tags, as one hunter clarified that a cow tag is specific to elk area 1013, which is predominantly private. This stresses the importance of obtaining access to private lands through contact with landowners. Overall, the conversation underscores the necessity of comprehensive scouting and meticulous planning, particularly concerning property boundaries and specific hunting zones within the unit.