Free: Contests & Raffles.
Drew a bull permit this year in Montana with 4 bonus points in a hunt district that averages taking 6-7 years to draw. Didn't know much about the area going into it, but always like checking out new areas and this district has a good reputation for good elk numbers. Did my homework with the assistance of Montana's Dept of Fish Wildlife and Parks and got access to some private land. Couldn't access the ranch until the 2nd week of the season, but the timing worked out fine for my schedule. Best part was my daughter was able to join me. We headed over there last Sunday the 31st with permission to hunt starting on this past Monday the 1st. 15 degrees Monday morning with clear skies, but calm as can be. Within an hour of sunlight we found a solitary broken up 6x4 bull that was a real stud. Would have been an easy shot at 150 yards in a meadow, but was hoping to do better. While watching this bull we began hearing 2 bulls battling in the trees. Next thing we know, they've made their way to the edge of the meadow and continue to go at it for about 15 minutes. Unbelievable how hard this bulls fought. They were both so busted up it was unbelievable. At one time this year I think they were probably both 5-6 point bulls. The drought this year probably affected their nutrition, thus affecting growth and antler strength. We headed over toward another meadow I found using OnX maps and while walking in that direction we began to hear 2 bulls bugling. Snuck up to the edge of the meadow and found a herd of about 20 cows and another busted up bull. He was a bruiser, but busted on both sides above his G3s. Never saw the other bull.By now the wind was picking up and it was damn cold. spooked up 3 more bulls that were bedded down together in the trees as we headed back to camp. Made a game plan for the afternoon hunt, hoping the wind would die down. Fortunately it did. We hiked into another meadow to find 2 bulls grazing. A decent 6x6 and decent 6x5. Not what I was looking for, so we just watched them for a while and then headed back into the trees and toward our final meadow for the evening hunt. As we got within about 1/2 mile of the next meadow, we began hearing 2 bulls bugling. Yeah, November 1st and these guys are bugling like crazy. As we slowly approached the meadow, we could see cows bedded down on the North edge of the meadow. We slowly moved through the trees and found a spot where I had shooting lanes through the trees looking into the meadow. As I set up my shooting sticks and prepare to sit down, my daughter whispers there's numerous bulls out in the meadow and one of them is a 7x7. As I get seated and get the rifle up on the shooting sticks, I can see 1 bull in hot pursuit of a cow and can hear another bull bugling. My daughter informs me there are 4 branched bulls that she can see and over 20 cows. She says the The biggest is the 7x7 and he's headed toward my shooting lane. He's busy trying to chase off a satellite bull. Everything came together in a hurry. Next thing I know, he's in my shooting lane and stops broadside with his nose up the backside of a cow. For once, it all worked out. Great experience and memories for a lifetime with my daughter.
