Non resident hunting advice

[Kydeerslayer64]

That’s a good perspective… if you want to get one, especially a nice bull, what’s it worth to you? 5 grand? 10 grand?
What about the experience of just getting to elk hunt? Is just getting to go elk hunting worth the same cost, even if you already knew you wouldn’t get one?
If the answer is yes, you should just go and learn and have fun. If the answer is no, I would pay the money for a guide.

No idea on land trust, the more people that use a service like that, the more people that will buy up land just for a “hunter BNB” driving up costs, monetizing opportunities that you’ve already paid for your entire tax paying life, reducing the efficacy of Block Management, and giving a false sense of exclusivity that do not translate to hunter success. Land trust is not an outfitter service and, in my opinion, will not increase your chances of success.

Thank you very much. I’m ok with a lower percentage of harvest as just the experience is worth a lot to me. That’s why I was considering the land trust option as well as trying the type 1 and type 2 entry points the first time hunting Montana before I drop $6k+ on a guided hunt?

 

[Addicting]

Thank you very much. I’m ok with a lower percentage of harvest as just the experience is worth a lot to me. That’s why I was considering the land trust option as well as trying the type 1 and type 2 entry points the first time hunting Montana before I drop $6k+ on a guided hunt?

I would do a cow hunt. It’s completely different than what you are used to. Chasing cows for a few times before putting the cash down for a bull is a good strategy.

They are easier to find and there generally are a lot of them. Getting one down and dealing with it will humble you. Let alone trying to cape a bull on your first ever experience.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I would do a cow hunt. It’s completely different than what you are used to. Chasing cows for a few times before putting the cash down for a bull is a good strategy.

They are easier to find and there generally are a lot of them. Getting one down and dealing with it will humble you. Let alone trying to cape a bull on your first ever experience.

That is great advice, thanks

 

[jvanhoy]

That is great advice, thanks

I agree 100 percent on the cow hunt.

 

[338win]

Hunt where they are and don’t stay where they are not.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Thank you very much. I’m ok with a lower percentage of harvest as just the experience is worth a lot to me. That’s why I was considering the land trust option as well as trying the type 1 and type 2 entry points the first time hunting Montana before I drop $6k+ on a guided hunt?

Sent you a PM

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Sent you a PM

Just replied

 

[rebjfan]

Keep the wind in your face and good luck!

Put the wind at your back and start to them. The wind will change before you get there. It does for me as slow as I move.

 

[DFS]

Put the wind at your back and start to them. The wind will change before you get there. It does for me as slow as I move.

Interesting tactic

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Interesting tactic

Yes

 

[Rumbler700]

Be mindful that you're an outsider when asking for access to lands to hunt.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d also add pick a season an stick with that. You may not be successful your first trip but you will probably learn a lot and it helps to use that information moving forward. Depending on your hunting style as odd as it may sound going with a guide first if you could swing it may not be the end of the world. Treat it as a crash course and a investment in yourself to learn how to properly hunt elk

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I’d also add pick a season a stick with that. You may not be successful your first trip but you will probably learn a lot and it helps to use that information moving forward. Depending on your hunting style as odd as it may sound going with a guide first if you could swing it may not be the end of the world. Treat it as a crash course and a investment in yourself to learn how to properly hunt elk

I’ve been on an Elk hunt in KY and got very close during Archery season on sealing the deal but Montana has so many more layers of the onion. My guide definitely wore me out.

 

[DFS]

I’ve been on an Elk hunt in KY and got very close during Archery season on sealing the deal but Montana has so many more layers of the onion. My guide definitely wore me out.View attachment 404409

I would go with an outfitter and not look back. There is a steep learning curve to elk hunting.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Guide, outfitter, 100%. Don’t think twice or look back.

Elk hunting is ostensibly about finding and shooting elk, but really it is about 75% getting 200 lbs of meat from steaming carcass to chilled in a cooler with no spoilage.

What is your plan when you shoot a big bull 2 miles from the road? That’s kicks off 18 miles of backpacking, 10 of which is carrying a 60+ lb pack over unforgiving terrain.

Your KY reference point is much lower elevation, a guide who shaved off 50% or more steps to find an elk in the first place, and carried 50% of your gear.

Guided hunts are quite varied in physical difficulty, style of hunting, etc. Sounds like you have the means to cut a check - do your research and pick something that fits much or most of what you’d like to experience, and go have fun.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Guide, outfitter, 100%. Don’t think twice or look back.

Elk hunting is ostensibly about finding and shooting elk, but really it is about 75% getting 200 lbs of meat from steaming carcass to chilled in a cooler with no spoilage.

What is your plan when you shoot a big bull 2 miles from the road? That’s kicks off 18 miles of backpacking, 10 of which is carrying a 60+ lb pack over unforgiving terrain.

Your KY reference point is much lower elevation, a guide who shaved off 50% or more steps to find an elk in the first place, and carried 50% of your gear.

Guided hunts are quite varied in physical difficulty, style of hunting, etc. Sounds like you have the means to cut a check - do your research and pick something that fits much or most of what you’d like to experience, and go have fun.

That is great advice, thanks

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Guide, outfitter, 100%. Don’t think twice or look back.

Elk hunting is ostensibly about finding and shooting elk, but really it is about 75% getting 200 lbs of meat from steaming carcass to chilled in a cooler with no spoilage.

What is your plan when you shoot a big bull 2 miles from the road? That’s kicks off 18 miles of backpacking, 10 of which is carrying a 60+ lb pack over unforgiving terrain.

Your KY reference point is much lower elevation, a guide who shaved off 50% or more steps to find an elk in the first place, and carried 50% of your gear.

Guided hunts are quite varied in physical difficulty, style of hunting, etc. Sounds like you have the means to cut a check - do your research and pick something that fits much or most of what you’d like to experience, and go have fun.

Well said…any recommendations on a guide service?

 

[Pagosa]

Well said…any recommendations on a guide service?

I woild only hunt with ones that are entirely private land or landlocked public. A lot of those guides can get your bull n a open whear stubble field by 8 AM from the truck whike munching donuts and slipping hot coffee. They are that good at what they do. Check around White Sulphut Springs

 

[BuzzH]

I woild only hunt with ones that are entirely private land or landlocked public. A lot of those guides can get your bull n a open whear stubble field by 8 AM from the truck whike munching donuts and slipping hot coffee. They are that good at what they do. Check around White Sulphut Springs

Thats certainly one kind of "experience", not sure what the OP is after in that regard.

 

[Pagosa]

Thats certainly one kind of "experience", not sure what the OP is after in that regard.

Im not sure either, but that is how a lot of elk are shot in Montana every fall. Its definitely not my type of hunting