For any of you MT guys or anyone who has hunted MT a fair amount, would you rather bowhunt or rifle hunt with the general tag? I'm thinking about hunting the Crazies for the first time this year and am trying to decide what would be best. To me it almost seems like you would be able to have more success with a bow since you would be able to locate bugling bulls much easier. Thanks guys, I appreciate any input.
MT elk, bow or rifle?
- Thread starter Flatrock
- Start date
For me I'd rather do bow, and it's not even close. Better weather, and elk are so much easier to hunt in the rut. After this last season, I've gotten so frustrated with rifle season it's ridiculous. It's such a zoo, it really takes a lot of the fun out of it. The chances of finding a spot with elk to yourself during archery are just so, so much higher.
I've never hunted the Crazies, so things could be a little different there, although I kinda doubt it.
And for me, archery's way more fun even if you're unsuccessful. Just being out in September and hearing bugles makes it worth it.
I've never hunted the Crazies, so things could be a little different there, although I kinda doubt it.
And for me, archery's way more fun even if you're unsuccessful. Just being out in September and hearing bugles makes it worth it.
Jon Boy
Active member
If you plan on archery hunting the crazies id start getting in shape now. In the early season alot of the elk hang out at treeline and it aint east gettin there. There arent a ton of roads in the unit either. If you decide to go later in the rifle seasons bring chains. I wish I did, my truck was stuck up there for 4 days.
mdunc8
Well-known member
Archery. No question.
mtlion
Well-known member
I'd go with archery for the reasons mentioned. That being said I've filled my elk tag for the last 10 years and only one did I kill with a bow.
Randy where the heck are you hunting? I could take you a few places in rifle season where the only other hunter you'll see will be...well, me. Bring your walkin' legs.:hump:
Randy where the heck are you hunting? I could take you a few places in rifle season where the only other hunter you'll see will be...well, me. Bring your walkin' legs.:hump:
This year I spent at least a day in each of 13 different units
It's not that you can't get away from other hunters during rifle season, it's just a lot harder than archery season. At least in the spots I've been.
mtlion
Well-known member
This year I spent at least a day in each of 13 different units
It's not that you can't get away from other hunters during rifle season, it's just a lot harder than archery season. At least in the spots I've been.
Well next season you can join me on a couple hunts. How are you at wrestling grizzlies?
Elkwhisper
Well-known member
I pretty much gave up on rifle hunting for elk in 1998..... which is when I killed my first bull with a bow. It's a whole different sport in September/ October. As a resident I am lucky enough to hunt both archery and rifle if need be, but haven't had to use the gun for a long time, even though I occasionally draw a decent gun tag.
I remember when I first really started hunting elk when I moved to Bozeman for school..... we hunted waaaaaaay to much, both rifle and archery season. Seems like we were into bulls every day during archery, and saw far fewer people. We always joked that the night before opening day of rifle that a spaceship came and got all the elk.
I remember when I first really started hunting elk when I moved to Bozeman for school..... we hunted waaaaaaay to much, both rifle and archery season. Seems like we were into bulls every day during archery, and saw far fewer people. We always joked that the night before opening day of rifle that a spaceship came and got all the elk.
What he said.
I enjoy the heck out of archery season... mostly unsuccessful though the challenge and the adventure seems 10 times more rich then rifle hunting. I enjoy them both though having that bull snorting and huffing, thrashing a small tree and trying my hardest to bring him in is an awesome feeling! A complete rush...
I enjoy rifle as well - it certainly has it's challenge though nothing compared to 30 yards and yelling back and forth with a bull...
DreaminofMT6X6s
Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2010
- Messages
- 801
Without a doubt...ARCHERY!! Talk to the biologist too. She was new this last year, but she gave me the inside scoop on specific drainages to check out before I went anywhere else in the Crazies. Did it work? I never ended up hunting in that area so I don't know, but it's more then you know now.
JohnDeereGreen
Member
If you are committed to hunting only on public land, then archery is probably your best bet. The private lands in the Crazies are, to the best of my knowledge, pay to play. If you are willing to pay a landowner a trespass fee, then rifle season would offer a better chance of success. I'd have to agree with the comments regarding being in good shape, it's big country up there. I've seen better bulls on the east side for what that's worth. That being said, I shot my bull on the west side this year. Also, I think you absolutely should have a GPS chip like the ones from MontanaGPSMaps, it will allow you to hunt with confidence in an area that has a lot of public/private mixed together. And bear spray or a revolver, depending on which side of that debate you come down on.
Jon Boy
Active member
What did you end up gettin JohnDeere?
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