Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 05:48:18 PM

Title: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 05:48:18 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 05:55:47 PM: 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"
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 06:03:55 PM: 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. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 06:05:44 PM: I did not see a bull on huntable ground but did end up filling the freezer with this cow.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 06:09:00 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 06:14:05 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: SniperDanWA on October 30, 2011, 06:23:15 PM: I really like the area around Bozeman and Livingston. Sounds like a great hunt. Congrats to you.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on October 30, 2011, 06:48:35 PM: Sounds like a great trip! Nice looking country and critters!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Blacktail135 on October 30, 2011, 07:02:36 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 07:14:21 PM: Quote from: Blacktail135 on October 30, 2011, 07:02:36 PM
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.
:chuckle:
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Blacktail135 on October 31, 2011, 09:41:31 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: bucklucky on October 31, 2011, 09:47:45 PM: Sweet!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: longashes on November 01, 2011, 06:55:50 AM: Great write up ... that's an awesome hunt!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Hornseeker on November 01, 2011, 07:39:09 AM: More Pics, More Pics!!

What a great hunt!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: littlemac on November 02, 2011, 03:34:03 PM: Quote from: Wea300mag on October 30, 2011, 06:09:00 PM
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 (http://www.montanahuntingcompany.com/hunts/elk.html)
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Wea300mag on November 02, 2011, 06:42:29 PM: Haha, I don't think I can afford to be Ted's friend. :chuckle:

If he's offering $750 buffalo next year, I may take him up on that.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: Bearhunter on November 03, 2011, 08:59:11 PM: Dan, no BS back in Late September 3 Cougars crossed right there at the toll bridge in front of us, there was a wall tent set up there and they could not of passed more than 20ft from the tent when they came up past us.... I am going solo the week of Thanksgiving on Tuesday till it closes if your interested in going back then.... Congrats on the cow!!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: littlemac on November 04, 2011, 08:36:15 AM: Quote from: Wea300mag on November 02, 2011, 06:42:29 PM
Haha, I don't think I can afford to be Ted's friend. :chuckle:

If he's offering $750 buffalo next year, I may take him up on that.

I know what you mean. The area I hunt in New Mexico borders Vermejo Park Ranch he has there. Loads of elk and buffalo there too and just as expensive.
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 04, 2011, 09:21:34 AM: Looks like a fun trip. Congrats on all the success!!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: wsucowboy on November 04, 2011, 10:28:55 AM: Looks like a great trip!
Title: Re: Montana Elk Hunt Recap
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 04, 2011, 02:00:11 PM: Quote from: blackveltbowhunter on November 04, 2011, 09:21:34 AM
Looks like a fun trip. Congrats on all the success!!

:yeah: