Montana Elk Hunt Recap

[Wea300mag]

I was able to get out and join our "National" group for a public land elk hunt in SW Montana. When I say "National", I mean our group was made up of (13) hunters from (5) different states (WA, MT, MN, WI, and Maine). We ended up with (7) elk (3 bulls and 4 cows), and they all hit the ground in the first 2 days. It took us until the end of day 3 to get them all recovered, and that was with (5) horses.

[Wea300mag]

The highlight of the trip for me was when "Boone", pictured below, helped his dad harvest this decent 6pt bull on opening day. The weather was unseasonally warm and he and his dad were sitting on a hillside watching a clearing. His dad fell asleep and this bull walked into view. Boone didn't feel comfortable with the shot so he woke up his dad who dispatched the elk. To listen to Boone tell the story back at camp was "PRICELESS"

[Wea300mag]

With all these hunting cultures working together we discovered a great way to recover elk, and in this case, whole elk. The guys from WI brought an Otter sled with them. This sled, teamed up with the horses brought in by our MT contingent, made a great tool for recovery. Even though we rolled it trying to get it across the river.

[Wea300mag]

I did not see a bull on huntable ground but did end up filling the freezer with this cow.

[Wea300mag]

If you happened to be friends with Ted Turner, you had a better chance of filling your tag, as his ranch had a large herd of elk and also many deer.

[Wea300mag]

All in all it was a great trip with a great group of hunters. We were able to see lots of critters (bear, moose, and nice muleys which you can't hunt). I can't wait to go back in a few weeks to fill my deer tag.

[SniperDanWA]

I really like the area around Bozeman and Livingston.  Sounds like a great hunt.  Congrats to you.

[Hunting Cowboy]

Sounds like a great trip! Nice looking country and critters!

[Blacktail135]

 Hey, I recognize that river crossing......and the dude leading the horse. Did that hunt a couple of years ago. Fun week. It was warm the when I went too.

[Wea300mag]

Hey, I recognize that river crossing......and the dude leading the horse. Did that hunt a couple of years ago. Fun week. It was warm the when I went too.

I can't remember if you were there when we used to be able to drive across it? It's foot traffic only now, we actually built a temporary foot bridge. We were kind of concerned what the Forest Sevice would say but they were cool and suggested we charge a toll, so we put up a sign.
 

[Blacktail135]

 I think the year I went was the 1st year the FS quit allowing people to drive their rigs thru the river crossing. I like the sign!

[bucklucky]

Sweet!

[longashes]

Great write up ... that's an awesome hunt!

[Hornseeker]

More Pics, More Pics!!

What a great hunt!

[littlemac]

If you happened to be friends with Ted Turner, you had a better chance of filling your tag, as his ranch had a large herd of elk and also many deer.

Thanks for the pics of your hunt, looks like a good outting.

Check out the guided hunts Turner's property has.  For $14k you can be his friend.

http://www.montanahuntingcompany.com/hunts/elk.html