All aboard for Montana!

[Indian Summer]

Well the Wyoming license application period has come and gone. When July rolls around I'll give you guys a reminder that it's points only time so anyone interested can go online and simply buy a point for $50.

So now Headin' West Hunt Consulting is lining people up with hunt plans for Montana. I've hunted the Montana/Idaho border for 26 years now and outfitted western Monntana for 13. I have more spots than you can shake your cursor at. Have you watched the video from Mr Steve? Good stuff that can be an eye opener. Like I mentioned over on that thread it takes a lot of maps to make up the Big Sky state. Any experienced elk hunter will tell you there is a lot of dead space. Which map will you call home?

I already have a few parties lined up with good foundations for Montana DIY hunts. Here's an interesting point: I have found that the newbies are more likely to question whether or not my services are worth it than those with experience. It seems some of the newer hunters think it's easier than those who have been there. One commented: I'm not sure my buddies will want to pay money just for a map. But the guys with experience don't blink an eye. I have one hunter who has actually hunted the area I'm sending him too. He had his share of hard times. He hunted not far away and actually killed a bull too. But he wasn't completely satisfied and thinks he could be in for some more hard times if he doesn't relocate. Just goes to show that a few miles and some hands on experience can make all the difference in the world. Licenses aren't cheap and time is even more valuable.

I think some weight out in their minds... "Would we be better served to just book an outfitted drop camp?" Maybe. If you have no desire to set your own camp I guess. But you'll still be cooking etc and more than likely you won't be the first or last group of hunters to work the area over. Outfitters have designated camp sites on our US Forest Service operation plans. We WISH we could put camps in the places I send my hunters to! So why pay more than twice as much to hunt somewhere that others call home?

Montana elk licenses went up a bit to $826. They are guaranteed though. Yes there is a drawing but odds are over 100% and they have been selling leftover licenses well after the draw for several years in a row now. The deadline for applications is March 15th. I assist my clients with the application process. I also give them support in planning their hunt all year long. They can even call me in the middle of the hunt if any heat of the moment questions pop up. Yeah.. you'll get a lot more than just a map with some lines and Xs on it. I have two clients set up with wall tents, wood stoves, cots, cook stoves etc etc to rent from friend cheap. Whatever I can do to help!

If anyone hasn't seen my website have a look. if you have any questions feel free to email. I'll pass on my phone number if you want to pick my brain for an hour or three. Live to elk hunt.... elk hunt to live!

Joe Ferraro
http://www.headinwest.net
joe@headinwest.net

Ohio Hunter and his first bull, a real nice 5 Montana point. This could be you!

[easeup]

Joe you got me sold!
I'd love to hunt Montana...heck it is new country to me.......just wish you had a cheap way to get my ponies up there!

and I will add for any of you guys teetering on this offer, if you drive out somewhere you have never been to hunt and come up short in every category the money you spent is lost and most of the time all you learned is hard knocks.
Sound like money well spent to me to get in the game.

[Indian Summer]

I have to admit I'm surprised. I thought the majority of interest would be from newer elk hunters. As it turns out the people with more experience have been the ones more likely to be serious about my services. They seem to have a better appreciation for the value of it. I think there's a lot to be said for that.

[ABQ_Chica]

Thanks, Joe. Someday I'll be ready for a Montana hunt. Meanwhile, I'll just wipe the drool off the keyboard and live vicariously thru other hunters. I lived in MT for a few years, and it is amazing country. Good luck, everyone! It will be worth every penny, every moment.

[Ghost]

Ill second what Joe has said, and while I wouldnt call myself an "experinced" elk hunter, this year will be my 6th time out west hunting the big stinkys. I think one of the reason newbies balk at paying for a scouting service is they they just dont understand how vast the mountains are. I know the first time I was in idaho and looked out over the frank church and was told how far it was to the next road I almost fell over, I knew how far it was from studying maps, but to actually see it with my own eyes, it humbles you. Not to mention the old hunting proverb that 10 percent of the country holds 90 percent of the game. The first time I was out there, I started basically still hunting almost right from the truck, my buddy who had hunted this area for over 20 years, looks at me and says, what are you doing? we have 6 miles to go before we start hunting. Honest, we walked 6 miles at as fast as you can walk in 12"s of snow before we started hunting, he knew where the elk were, I jumped bull that day and he shot one there the next day. Its really hard to put a price tag on the kind of knowledge.

[Mikeha33]

I think that if I had known last year how vast the terrain is, (even in CO), and that I was absolutely clueless as where to begin once I got there, that I would have paid for Joe's services in CO in a heartbeat. However, I am returning to the same spot I hunted last year, and with the help of Joe and some other veteran elk hunters, and the great elkucatoin I am getting here on this great website, I am going back in with a game plan, and confidence (something I had neither of last year). Even though I haven't used Joe's service, I would recommend it to anybody that is not familiar with an area in Montana, especially first time hunters. If I knew someone could put me on an "X" in Colorado, I'd be all for the help, because once you get in the deadfalls, cliffs, and pine jungles, that "X" is awfully elusive, especially for someone that has never been in that situation.

[bowhunter99]

FYI, if there is anyone out there that is originally from Montana but lives somewhere else now (I'm in CO), Montana has a program called "Native Non Resident" licences available for $80 for elk and $60 for deer for general units. You need a copy of birth certificate, Montana Hunter Safety card , and an immediate relative still living there.
I plan on going for elk during archery this year for the first time in MT and can't wait! Have been dreaming about it for years but didn't have the $$$ to justify it, especially with the number of elk in CO. At $800+, this could really help out some people and you could use the extra cash for an "X" marks the spot!

[Solitude]

I think as a general rule we hunters always look to get pointed in the right direction from some source. Be it Eastmans, HF, biologists, a tip from a forum, a PM or a friend. Most of us simply do not have time for out of state scouting trips away from work and family obligations.

It took me 4 years to arrow my first bull elk and a location tip from a good friend (OTC Unit by the way, not a blue chip draw unit) combined with experience from the previous roughly $4k-$6k in trips and research is what got it done. Just like real estate, location, location, location is key.

I have found that when you are in the right location elk seem to materialize virtually daily. If you are learning an area/GMU a good percentage of your hunt can be spent just trying to locate elk and second guessing if you should move and if so where too?

I am not affiliated with this service at all, but I can tell you that unless you are a very lucky guy, getting help from his service is got to be worth the small dollars it will run you as a DIY guy. Personally, I have a tough time with guided hunts (here is the animal now shoot it) but getting a solid tip in the right direction on public land is money well spent does not take away from you abilities as a hunter in my opinion as there are plenty of other nuances in a hunt that must come together to allow you to bring meat home to the family.

Lastly I ask, would you head off to Alaska without a clue where to go other than a map and your gear? I bet not. Do not think the Rocky Mountains and western states are any easier when it comes to locating and sending an arrow through an elk......especially if you are in the wrong area.

Good luck to all this September and may you find a nice bull elk to chase and fulfill your dreams.