Montana resident looking to use my points.

[Jeremyc_1999]

I live in Southwest Montana and have 11 resident elk points. I am willing to travel. I bow and rifle hunt, but would prefer to use points on a rifle hunt. I'm 39 years old and can get around pretty well, but I am not getting any younger. I have access to an ATV, have a hot tent, and am not afraid of packing the elk out on my back. Let me know where you think I should put in.

 

[406LIFE]

Find an area of MT you want to hunt, and then put in there. Each region has a uniqueness of landscape and challenge.

 

[BigHornRam]

Do you like to cuddle with bears? If so, go big and put in for the one with the worst odds. ATV will have to stay home though.

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

Do you like to cuddle with bears? If so, go big and put in for the one with the worst odds. ATV will have to stay home though.

I can cuddle with bears with my general tag. Don't think I need to do that with the special draw. I've been putting in for one of the worse (380) for 20 years, I'm ready to draw a bull tag. I've had a few years with breaks archery tags that's why I don't have max points.

 

[BigHornRam]

Well if you are just looking to burn your 11 points, any unit with 10% or better odds should get you a limited bull elk tag in 5 years or less. Good luck!

 

[406dn]

I'll offer not to waste your points on 313. I did, and wish I had my points back.

 

[Pagosa]

I drew a 704 district tag two years ago, and hunted several weeks. I seen elk, but nothing any bigger than a general unit. I’m thankful I didn’t use a lot of points for it. Getting access to private land would have made a big difference. That is the only draw tag I ever got beside a b tag, and it didn’t met my expectations. Since then I have been putting my son in for the Clearwater WMA tag. I don’t have anymore to offer, good luck.

 

[mtmuley]

I might help via pm. Maybe. This internet stuff is kinda out of hand. mtmuley

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

I might help via pm. Maybe. This internet stuff is kinda out of hand. mtmuley

We could always meet for a cup of coffee and exchange some stories and ideals

 

[bailey68]

In in the same boat looking to trade in the bonus points for a reasonable chance at drawing. Had the 380 tag years ago and i don't mind if I didn't have it again. I've been digging into both North of helena and east of great falls.

 

[SAJ-99]

I'm 39 years old and can get around pretty well, but I am not getting any younger.

You sure know how to make enemies. Just kidding. With point creep, 11 still doesn't get you much in the way of odds on a rifle tag. 410 has about 10% draw odds and the Elkhorns are less than 5% based on my back of envelope calc. If you want 75% odds or above, a lot of those ares are private land and can be tough.

 

[antlerradar]

I live in 704 and have most of 50+years, Hunt code 799-20. Every year a lucky few of the tag holders take home monster bulls. The majority are taken on private land. Most hunters however hunt hard and end up with a sub 320 bull or tag soup. Every year I run into lucky tag holders that have little experience with 704. They arrive with high expectations of getting their pick of multiple 350+ bulls. That just is not going to happen. You might get lucky and run in to one. By the end of a week or two of hard hunting those hunters are getting frustrated. When my son had the tag a few years ago I spent 20+ days looking for a monster and failed. The best bull I found was just under 350 and I have a good idea where to look.
My advice to the OP is to pick a district close to home that you can scout on weekends and before the start of the season. Don't be one of those frustrated hunters that goes in to a place nearly blind.

 

[Big Fin]

I live in 704 and have most of 50+years, Hunt code 799-20. Every year a lucky few of the tag holders take home monster bulls. The majority are taken on private land. Most hunters however hunt hard and end up with a sub 320 bull or tag soup. Every year I run into lucky tag holders that have little experience with 704. They arrive with high expectations of getting their pick of multiple 350+ bulls. That just is not going to happen. You might get lucky and run in to one. By the end of a week or two of hard hunting those hunters are getting frustrated. When my son had the tag a few years ago I spent 20+ days looking for a monster and failed. The best bull I found was just under 350 and I have a good idea where to look.
My advice to the OP is to pick a district close to home that you can scout on weekend and before the start of the season. Don't be one of those frustrated hunters that goes in to a place nearly blind.

If advice was currency, that post was worth a lot of money.

 

[BuckRut]

With all the opportunity available with the general tag I would just keep praying on the 380 tag. I personally had the funnest elk season I have ever had the year before last when I drew the tag. That hunt is an experience like I haven't found anywhere else in the state. It is not an easy hunt and will definitely test your skills. I had 28 days in the field before I finally shot my bull.

 

[SAJ-99]

I live in Southwest Montana and have 11 resident elk points. I am willing to travel. I bow and rifle hunt, but would prefer to use points on a rifle hunt. I'm 39 years old and can get around pretty well, but I am not getting any younger. I have access to an ATV, have a hot tent, and am not afraid of packing the elk out on my back. Let me know where you think I should put in.

Results are out. What did you decide and were you successful?

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

I put in for 380 again and was again unsuccessful

 

[SAJ-99]

I put in for 380 again and was again unsuccessful

That stinks. Sorry. I was rooting for you. The Breaks rifle tag next year should be 10% draw odds, or about double what you have in 380. Too many high point holders. Good luck with the general.

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

Thanks. I'm lucky that I'm going to New Mexico to hunt elk this year, so it isn't all bad. Also, I have a kid coming in September, so it is probably a good thing.

 

[MTHunter1321]

Thanks. I'm lucky that I'm going to New Mexico to hunt elk this year, so it isn't all bad. Also, I have a kid coming in September, so it is probably a good thing.

Everyone should know January - March is off limits
Congrats!

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

I Should, but when it takes 16 + years and you don't think that you will be able to have kids, then you roll the dice!