Non resident hunting advice

[Kydeerslayer64]

Besides telling me to stay home, I am looking for some non resident first time Elk hunting advice. I will have my 2nd preference point and 2nd bonus point this year which gives me good odds for at least getting drawn for a general elk license. What I do with it after that gets complicated. I have been researching entering and hunting on a land trust, specifically Mountain Home Ranch but some people land trust are a waste of money and you have just as good odds hunting public land. Obviously hiring a guide is an option but not in great physical condition either and not sure if I want to drop $6500 as well…and of course you have the permit areas but don’t think my 2 points will get me in a good area? Lastly are the type 1 and 2 BMA…the great state of Montana has a lot of great options I just need some local advice. Thanks in advance

 

[DFS]

Keep the wind in your face and good luck!

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Keep the wind in your face and good luck!

Well, that’s a start. Thanks

 

[F250]

What state are you considering ?

 

[jvanhoy]

No experience with Montana but I’ve got a lot of Elk experience coming from the east. You mentioned not in great physical condition. That would be the first thing I would work on. How ever hard it looks it’s way worse for us easterners. The toughest part of elk is the mental aspect and if you’re struggling physically it’s going to make it way worse. That being said just keep a good attitude and wherever you go have plans A through Z and just keep covering ground until you find elk. Finding them is the hardest part and where most NRs get discouraged and give up. Good luck.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

No experience with Montana but I’ve got a lot of Elk experience coming from the east. You mentioned not in great physical condition. That would be the first thing I would work on. How ever hard it looks it’s way worse for us easterners. The toughest part of elk is the mental aspect and if you’re struggling physically it’s going to make it way worse. That being said just keep a good attitude and wherever you go have plans A through Z and just keep covering ground until you find elk. Finding them is the hardest part and where most NRs get discouraged and give up. Good luck.

Thank you sir

 

[pabearhunter]

Find an area you are interested in than call the biologist and or game warden with your questions.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Find an area you are interested in than call the biologist and or game warden with your questions.

I appreciate that, thank you

 

[Bob-WY]

Not in good shape would lean TOWARDS a guide. Elk is about covering ground to find them. Guides should know and save you hikes looking at trees

 

[Forkyfinder]

Your odds are better on good paid private than public. By a healthy margin. If youre not in good health - i would reccomend hiring an outfitter/guide. I would look into success rates - respectfully, i get the feeling you might be thinking its easier than it is

As far as "permit areas" im not sure 2 points gets you to whole single digits (percentages) on most rifle limited entry units. Thats assuming you arent entitled (thanks to some very good liars and idiots in our legislature) to a NR LO tag.

 

[caddiscrazy]

I second the biologist recommendation. Any time I’m hunting an unfamiliar place out west, I give them a call. The have great knowledge of the area and current info on the animals they are paid to work with

 

[Nick87]

No experience with Montana but I’ve got a lot of Elk experience coming from the east. You mentioned not in great physical condition. That would be the first thing I would work on. How ever hard it looks it’s way worse for us easterners. The toughest part of elk is the mental aspect and if you’re struggling physically it’s going to make it way worse. That being said just keep a good attitude and wherever you go have plans A through Z and just keep covering ground until you find elk. Finding them is the hardest part and where most NRs get discouraged and give up. Good luck.

Pretty solid advice there.

 

[Pagosa]

Its very difficult for non-resident and resident to fill elk tags on general tags on public land in Montana. Hunting cow elk is a better option for most people or go with an outfitter that hunts exclusively private land. Your odds on a general diy hunt is probably under 5% on bulls. The BMA that I have hunted on gets overran with bird, pronghorn, and archery big game hunters before the rifle seasons open up. Personally Colorado, Wy or New Mexico offers way better elk hunting.

 

[CRJR45]

You have to look at it objectively, if you try it alone you’d have to buy a lot of stuff you probably don’t have , but that you wouldn’t need on a guided hunt .
So if you add up the cost of say , tents , sleeping bags , yada yada , then subtract that from the cost of a guided hunt , you get the cost down to an acceptable amount .
Let me know if you need more , I have numerous ways to justify going guided , especially the first timers .
I excel in mental gymnastics when the prize is hunting !