Question on hunting elk on land leased for cattle

[jjw4413]

I'm looking to hunt private property in Western Montana during rifle season and was looking for comments about hunting on land that has been used by grazing cattle. The property is 5000 acres and the cattle are there now. They will be moved off three days before opening day. The ranch manager is telling me that the cattle have no effect when it comes to elk. He has sent me trail camera pictures showing elk on the property. Will the elk move off when cattle are present? Should I look elsewhere? Any comments would be great.

John

[Wyo67]

I think you should be okay. Believe that's close to 8 square miles, and I don't believe the elk will move that far. We've seen that it's the cowboys on their horses rounding up the cattle that can stir up the elk.

[elkstalker]

Human presence definitely affects elk more than the cattle themselves. As long as the private has limited hunting on it, hunters on adjacent public ground should also push elk onto the private. Not to mention, most private ground in western MT is either partially irrigated, or has creek bottom, both of which attract elk. I wouldn't worry too much, but keep your options open.

[elkaholic]

You should be OK as long as they don't gather just before you're going there. Hunting pressure elsewhere will push the elk toward you even with cattle being in the allotment