RockyDog
Member
Every fall i see pic after pic of huge bulls that come from private lands in montana. Recently i was invited to visit a huge private ranch in central montana and i got to see just how posh the private land hunters have it. Nice heated "cabin" to stay in with electricity, phone, TV, toilet etc. Drive trucks or ATVs within view of the bulls and they dont even spook. Pick the biggest and BAM, 350 to 400 inch bull down. Take some pictures of yourself, your wife, your infant, etc. straddling the huge bull. Then load it whole in the truck and drive into town. I dont get to hunt private land, and ive never attempted to hunt private boundaries. My thing has always been to hunt miles into the backcountry. In the backcountry, every hunter has to endure pretty much the same conditions before they can bag an elk. With the possible exception of the guided hunters who are cared for in camp by outfitters. However, the bulls rarely grow boone & crockett racks because they have to live in those rugged conditions.
After watching the OYOA videos and seeing how much effort, cold weather, wind, etc. that Randy and his crew have endured to hunt the borders of these private lands, often with no success, i can see very clearly how different the experience is for the average joe hunter compared to those lucky enough to have the connections or money that allow access to these dream hunting properties. The cost of a private land hunt is in the $10-12k range now.
My question– of the below options (or make up your own) which would you find most rewarding and which would mean the least to you. Also, do any of them “turn you off” elk hunting.
A) respectable bull that you shot while hunting miles into the forest
B) trophy bull that you shot after it finally jumped that fence onto public
C) B&C bull shot on private land with full privileges via either $ payment or special permission.
After watching the OYOA videos and seeing how much effort, cold weather, wind, etc. that Randy and his crew have endured to hunt the borders of these private lands, often with no success, i can see very clearly how different the experience is for the average joe hunter compared to those lucky enough to have the connections or money that allow access to these dream hunting properties. The cost of a private land hunt is in the $10-12k range now.
My question– of the below options (or make up your own) which would you find most rewarding and which would mean the least to you. Also, do any of them “turn you off” elk hunting.
A) respectable bull that you shot while hunting miles into the forest
B) trophy bull that you shot after it finally jumped that fence onto public
C) B&C bull shot on private land with full privileges via either $ payment or special permission.