2025 Montana Bull

[starvingoutdoorsman]

Archery season ended without so much of a visual on elk. They were in the area. Just not where I had any access to or felt comfortable hiking into alone. So, we decided to look into other areas and looked promising. But were pretty new to us. Found a spot that was too dark to look at in depth as it was end of day, and by then my new to me truck had me questioning my sanity because it had developed brake issues during a scouting trip I was over the day and ready for the trip home. The following week, we had some good news. Elk were found. We had the next week off work. Dad had never taken a full week off to hunt in his life. And I had not taken more than a couple days at a time since college when my buddy got me into archery hunting. We met a really nice guy who allowed us to park a camper that week on his property just off the road and next to a place we had wanted to check out. The next morning, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise. We went to a spot near where we camped that looked more promising. And sure enough, withing 30 minutes and about 400 yards, one tag was filled. We had a feeling it was going to be a great week.

 

[starvingoutdoorsman]

The following week, believe it or not. I was in the wrong spot at the right time. I never saw an elk in this place we were hunting. But the other three people did. Eventually the cattle on the private lands around us were pushed around enough it seemed the elk hunkered down for a while and stopped moving. We left a day early and went home to freshen up. I don't think I bathed with wet wipes and wash clothes that much in my life. But it felt like being a kid again when we used to take a few days and head the SW Montana. Not needing to be anywhere. Just hunt and enjoy the days. At 40, I had not really felt that feeling since I was in high school. But we tried out hardest that week and many don't even get one elk, let alone the fact we had 4 tags in camp that trip. It still felt very successful.

 

[starvingoutdoorsman]

After we cleaned out dads fifth wheel, we went back out. A lot of hiking around. And after how quickly the prior week took off. We really thought perhaps that was just it. I would venture to guess we saw potentially upwards of 2000-ish head of elk and short of the few days everyone but me saw some on public. We never saw a single one in any of the mountain hikes we went on. They were always down in spots we simply could not afford to obtain access to. We also managed to be out in the middle of a tick hatch. Because for never having seen a tick where we were in the past, I got close to 300 or so of the little nymphs on me on one short hike. And it reminded me why I carry a lint roller and never to forget to treat my clothes again...

 

[starvingoutdoorsman]

By the weekend before thanksgiving, we were starting to feel a little like it might be a one and done elk season. I was already into the season about two and a half weeks. I figured at any point, time in the field is better than nothing. And as a well-known acquaintance of mine says. Persistence is deadly... So, I was almost preparing to take the last week off because after 28 seasons, I just wanted one bull. I had what can be a great tag. But it was really looking to be better if you could pay for access. We got up and tried a spot that we know elk can hang out in. And the probably were there at the start of archery season. Right where I should have gone on one of my solo trips. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Bright side, I realized I needed to work on my boots a bit as they were looking a bit dry. So I tossed a few coats on them in my free time. Not much was going our way. And we were deep in contemplation on what to do that following Sunday.

 

[starvingoutdoorsman]

We talked late into Saturday night. Something made us decide that rather than hitting the public the bull was taken on earlier in the season, we would head into the mountains and plan to hike in along an area I had kicked elk out of during archery season. I had planned to hike in at least a couple miles to sit and then walk on out. At the very least to say I finally hit that corner of the forest. We were late to rise though. So, when we saw a herd of bull's miles from the nearest public, we stopped to look a bit and then decided it was time to move on. Farther down the road was 3 more bulls. Half a mile from Private but heading the wrong direction. When they were out of sight, we backtracked a bit and lost them entirely. Decided it was way past time to be on the trail, so we decided to get moving. I spotted the 2nd group of bulls but this time something was different. They turned around and were walking back but a little over a half a mile in the right direction to access them. Sure enough they were about 150 or so yards into a state section about 300 yards off. And that is basically where the story ends. The effort and planning. Time spent walking miles and miles trying to find an elk. Ended on a flat piece of state land without so much as a tree. Would I have loved to have gotten my first bull in the mountains? Yes! I keep learning elk hunting can be pretty funny. One can put in so much time and effort, just to find one in one of the most unlikely of spots and end in the most lackluster way possible. But I certainly do not mean for it to sound like I am complaining.

My dad and I finally got bulls together, and potentially the last. He turned 61 during the archery season and informed me he is likely done. And I really don't think it could have ended any better. Even if it was just changing plans on a whim, waking up later than planned, and somehow ending up with a little luck and two filled tags. My brother managed to get his tag filled with a cow on a BMA a herd crossed onto the Friday after thanksgiving.

 

[starvingoutdoorsman]

I am sure I am missing some things. I did not have all my photos compiled. And I did block out faces outside of mine mainly out of respect for them as none of them are on this site but me. I will admit, one of the reasons it took me so long to post any of this was the fact that last year may have been the last hurrah and I have not been feeling all that great because of it. But I am thankful for the memories on the chance it is.

I apologize in advance for the bad formatting and typos. I have not written anything in years since I ran my own blog.

 

[El Jason]

Congratulations on your hunt. That’s cool you got to hunt that unit with your dad. Thanks for sharing.