MT Elk for a Newbie

[mr_steve]

I have been lurching on this site for weeks and finally signed up. So many other forums have useless topics but this is full of quality info. I definitely plan on watching all the ElkNut Videos too.

I am originally from ND and recently moved to NE. My hunting experience consists of bow hunting whitetails and muleys in ND and waterfowl hunting. Last year I went antelope hunting in WY and black bear hunting in MT. Been very successful besides the black bear where we went too early in the spring (I would only suggest going the last week in the season). Next year my hunting buddy and I are going elk hunting in MT in Sept. We are building points for elk in UT and WY, and our current states (NE for me and ND for him). For sheep and goats, we are building points in UT and MT. My main questions are about elk hunting in MT for this fall. I know we will learn a lot by going for the first time and by watching the videos. I am most concerned about where to go and what to expect. Seems to be so many good spots that my head starts to spin. I am 23 and he is 24 and we are in fairly good shape and aim to be in great shape by then. We expect to hike deep into an area for a couple days and camp but also have a base camp.

I have done lots of research on units in Region 3, like the Gallatin NF and areas north of Yellowstone but I hear so much about the wolves. We are set on going bow hunting since that is what we have done for the last 3 or so years and it seems to be a rush during the rut.

Is is worth going to other regions other than region 3? Is there a specific area you would recommend? I have looked at the statistics of units and noticed there are units where a more hunters go but success is lower. Do these stats tell the whole story? Or are there a lot of road hunters in these statistics. Once I have a unit picked out I plan to do lots of map research and emailing with the biologists. Just so hard to decide.

Also, should we both buy the $1000 combo tag and expect to both get a shot at a bull? Or she would just buy one combo tag. We are not looking for monsters just a good hunt with lots of memories. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know after we get one hunt under our belt it will help a lot but this first hunt sure seems overwhelming especially if we both spend $1000 on a tag.

Steve

[Swede]

First off I can not tell you where to hunt in Montana. But what do you want from your hunt, and how important is it? Some areas have good elk numbers and also a lot of hunters, big bulls are almost nonexistent. Some areas have both, but you need horses to get in and out. Sometimes many of the good bulls are being taken off of private ranches. Statistics will not tell you that. Some areas have a few great bulls, but they are in fringe areas where elk populations are low, very low. The interesting part is, all of this could be in the same unit.

[Solitude]

I have bow hunted elk in three different units in the last four years. Starting from ground zero and looking at my trials and tribulations I would advise the following:

1. Study the harvest stats vs the amount of private vs public land.
2. Find a GMU that is not overwhelming in size and fits into the type of hunter you are. If you are packing in I strongly advise not going deeper than 4-5 miles as it takes multiple round trips to get an elk out.
3. Study google earth and find high GMU entrance and vantage points to glass from.
4. Get an elk tag for both of you guys and forget the deer, stay focused on elk every minute you are in the field.
5. If you are not seeing elk or fresh sign when you get hunting, move, move several miles if you need too.
6. Doing large loop Ridgeline 3 day bivy trips can be productive if you have the right hunting partner.
7. Elk like steep/cool/cold/shady slopes. They get pushed into these pockets. Plan you hunt accordingly.
8. As always, play the wind. Elk do not spook like deer, but if they smell you game over.

As a newbe elk hunter, do not be intimidated. I am 100% self taught and got addicted my first day out upon hearing a bull bugle. You are going to love it. I wish I was 23 like you when I started.

[mr_steve]

I have bow hunted elk in three different units in the last four years. Starting from ground zero and looking at my trials and tribulations I would advise the following:

1. Study the harvest stats vs the amount of private vs public land.
2. Find a GMU that is not overwhelming in size and fits into the type of hunter you are. If you are packing in I strongly advise not going deeper than 4-5 miles as it takes multiple round trips to get an elk out.
3. Study google earth and find high GMU entrance and vantage points to glass from.
4. Get an elk tag for both of you guys and forget the deer, stay focused on elk every minute you are in the field.
5. If you are not seeing elk or fresh sign when you get hunting, move, move several miles if you need too.
6. Doing large loop Ridgeline 3 day bivy trips can be productive if you have the right hunting partner.
7. Elk like steep/cool/cold/shady slopes. They get pushed into these pockets. Plan you hunt accordingly.
8. As always, play the wind. Elk do not spook like deer, but if they smell you game over.

As a newbe elk hunter, do not be intimidated. I am 100% self taught and got addicted my first day out upon hearing a bull bugle. You are going to love it. I wish I was 23 like you when I started.

That's great info. I appreciate the encouragement. We would definitely be focused on elk, we would go deer hunting during the gun season on the east side of the state. I definitely like the idea of staying mobile. And yeah thermals and wind like that will be new for us.

Did you stay in region 3 all three times?

[mr_steve]

First off I can not tell you where to hunt in Montana. But what do you want from your hunt, and how important is it? Some areas have good elk numbers and also a lot of hunters, big bulls are almost nonexistent. Some areas have both, but you need horses to get in and out. Sometimes many of the good bulls are being taken off of private ranches. Statistics will not tell you that. Some areas have a few great bulls, but they are in fringe areas where elk populations are low, very low. The interesting part is, all of this could be in the same unit.

I am not about getting a big bull that's for sure. I am about getting good experience and having some close encounters. It will be fun to try speak the language with some elk and watch their movement. I mean to give you perspective we went black bear hunting and moved to 2 different location in NW MT. We saw one sow and cub and ran into a grizzly bear chasing a moose but never saw a legal animal to shoot. We hiked for miles on old logging roads and put a ton of effort in but no luck. Locals said we came to early. That was probably my favorite hunt and we were "unsuccessful" you could say. I won't lie it would be fun to get a bull elk though.

[Swede]

I prefer the fringe areas for tree stand hunting. I like the drier sites where water is not available everywhere. I look for evidence of frequent and continous elk usage. .... My point is that it helps us advise if we know how you plan to hunt, i.e. calling, call and tree stand, spot & stalk, and what week will you be hunting. Ultimately, I would recommend finding a place that you can learn very well. Do your macro research on-line and over some maps, then ask specific questions to narrow down where you will hunt. You do not need GPS coordinates, but elevations, habitat types and the like. Part of the means to consistant success will be in knowing your hunting area. It is great to have a good draw area for that special hunt, but also have a "home area" to go to. All the best.

[MTLongdraw]

Mr. Steve, first of all welcome to the forum. Here is what I can tell you about region 3 in general. I've shot elk there. That's where my wifes family has been going for years and its not uncommon for us to come back with 7-8 elk a year. Of course thats in late rifle season when the snow pushes them out of the park. The elk numbers are still very high regardless of the wolves and the area seems to hold a very high number of resident elk that stay year around. Here is how I look at wolves. I'm not a fan, however if they're there that means the elk are there. If you go into an area and they are making a bunch of noise you probably want to leave. Elk aren't going to stick around if the wolves are letting them know they are there.

You talked about numbers. I'm sure as anywhere it gets a lot of road hunters. Figure if you're within an hour of Bozeman/Helena your going to see a lot of road traffic. Up your odds by getting away from roads. "Go steep and deep!" I'm still a firm believer that the elk are out there. They may not be as vocal as they used to but then again who knows. I would recommend you both getting elk tags for sure. I know its expensive but its a cost that will be forgot long before the memories are forgot. Give it time and be patient. Keep in mind it may take a year or two to truly learn an area. Don't get discouraged.

[BMF11]

Hey Mr Steve, I'm a newbie here too. I'm also planning a MT hunt this year for the first time. I've been looking at some areas in region 3 also. Hopefully we will be bouncing ideas around from a few angles here. Good luck and I will help when I can.

[mr_steve]

Mr. Steve, first of all welcome to the forum. Here is what I can tell you about region 3 in general. I've shot elk there. That's where my wifes family has been going for years and its not uncommon for us to come back with 7-8 elk a year. Of course thats in late rifle season when the snow pushes them out of the park. The elk numbers are still very high regardless of the wolves and the area seems to hold a very high number of resident elk that stay year around. Here is how I look at wolves. I'm not a fan, however if they're there that means the elk are there. If you go into an area and they are making a bunch of noise you probably want to leave. Elk aren't going to stick around if the wolves are letting them know they are there.

You talked about numbers. I'm sure as anywhere it gets a lot of road hunters. Figure if you're within an hour of Bozeman/Helena your going to see a lot of road traffic. Up your odds by getting away from roads. "Go steep and deep!" I'm still a firm believer that the elk are out there. They may not be as vocal as they used to but then again who knows. I would recommend you both getting elk tags for sure. I know its expensive but its a cost that will be forgot long before the memories are forgot. Give it time and be patient. Keep in mind it may take a year or two to truly learn an area. Don't get discouraged.

MTLongdraw, I appreciate the info. We went ahead and both bought tags. Super jacked. He is going to get one scouting trip in August which will be nice. Still leaning towards North or West of Yellowstone. I am know the numbers are down but there is still elk and a determined and patient person can find them. Thanks again for posting.

[mr_steve]

Hey Mr Steve, I'm a newbie here too. I'm also planning a MT hunt this year for the first time. I've been looking at some areas in region 3 also. Hopefully we will be bouncing ideas around from a few angles here. Good luck and I will help when I can.

Sounds like we are in the same boat. Are you going bow hunting? What time of the year are you going? Where are you from?

[BMF11]

Yes, I will be going with bow in hand. Probably be going around the 20th of Sept. Live in West Fargo now. There's so many options to look at when you don't have a "spot" yet, it's overwhelming. I have the same game plan as you but I'm still researching and dissecting maps. I will keep in touch as the process continues. Good luck