My go to in western Montana is a diaphragm call first (I usually carry a few different ones to be able to switch it up if needed). I also will usually carry a slate call and a glass call, with 2-3 different strikers. I hunt with a pack instead of a vest, so those calls fit nicely in my pants...
Killed black bear at about 30 yards with them this year. Passed through as one would expect, bear died quickly. I’ve also taken a couple of whitetails, ranges from 40 yards to 225. I’ve never recovered a bullet as they’ve always exited. They group very well out of my Ruger M77. I’ve also had...
Got my first muley yesterday. 270 yards with my Ruger M77 Mark II .270 Win. I typically hunt whitetails in the western part of the state, but I think more muley trips are in store in the coming years.
Got this dusky about 150 yards into our first walk. Hunted a couple more hours and didn’t move another bird. Probably only a few more grouse hunts for us this year with duck opener next weekend and pheasant the weekend after that.
I was trying to fill a whitetail doe tag Saturday night when this cow walked by at 20 yards. Didn’t have to think twice about it. Stoked to have gotten her quickly and cleanly and to have a freezer full of meat.
Single sprucey last night and a lone ruffed tonight. Leaves look like they’re about to turn around Missoula. Gonna start getting real fun once the leaves are down.
Finally got my first ruffed grouse of the season (and a bonus snowshoe). I think we flushed 8, but only had shots on 2 and only hit 1. I’m gonna wait until some of the leaves are off to head back to that cover. Should be pretty good hunting in a few weeks.
I really like my Final Rise vest. Really comfortable, I can carry a hydration bladder for me and two 1 liter bottles for my dog. You can carry two additional water bottles in some side pockets on the game bag as well. Good modularity if you want to add accessories, and it’s made in the USA. It’s...
Trip out east for sage grouse was a little disappointing. We found some sage grouse, but could never get into gun range before they flushed. However, I did finally shoot my first bird (a sharpie) over my GWP, so that was a good silver lining. Ended up coming home with two sharpies, two Huns, and...
It took me 22 days of hunting this bear season, but last week, I finally notched my tag on this Montana sow. Not a giant bear, but it’s my biggest to date and I’m super happy to have gotten it.