Non resident hunting advice

[brownbear932008]

I'll shoot you straight, it's tough I probably ate six elk tags in Montana before shooting a cow. Maybe I just sucked but I hit a lot of country. You say you're not in good physical condition. My question is what's your age and physical capabilities? Can you walk at least 3-5 miles with a few thousand foot gain in elevation? If you can if you shoot an elk 2 miles in can you physically process that elk and get it hung for cooling and packing? If you doubt for a second you can do any of these by yourself save your money and hire a good reputable outfitter that has prime access options to good elk country. Elk hunting in Kentucky and Montana are two different beast all together.

You gotta be realistic with yourself and what your true capabilities are or you're going to spend a ton of money for a camping trip. Been there done that many times. I'm 51 and the last elk I shot smoked me after shooting it at sundown and working until 10pm to hang him for packing three miles back. I ended up hiring packers to retrieve him because of warm temperatures. Elk are tough and hunting them can be even tougher unless you have paid prime access.

No experience with land trust but sounds like it could be over hunted easily. Elk won't hang around with any pressure they will change zip codes real fast.

 

[BuzzH]

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

Right? Why it's so hard to make a recommendation on these threads.

If the priority is about making sure a person get an elk on a once-in-a-lifetime deal, then the stubble field hunts are the way to go.

If it's about experiencing the backcountry with a lower chance at an elk, different story.

It's tough too when you know a person is probably stretching things financially to just go on one hunt.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I'll shoot you straight, it's tough I probably ate six elk tags in Montana before shooting a cow. Maybe I just sucked but I hit a lot of country. You say you're not in good physical condition. My question is what's your age and physical capabilities? Can you walk at least 3-5 miles with a few thousand foot gain in elevation? If you can if you shoot an elk 2 miles in can you physically process that elk and get it hung for cooling and packing? If you doubt for a second you can do any of these by yourself save your money and hire a good reputable outfitter that has prime access options to good elk country. Elk hunting in Kentucky and Montana are two different beast all together.

You gotta be realistic with yourself and what your true capabilities are or you're going to spend a ton of money for a camping trip. Been there done that many times. I'm 51 and the last elk I shot smoked me after shooting it at sundown and working until 10pm to hang him for packing three miles back. I ended up hiring packers to retrieve him because of warm temperatures. Elk are tough and hunting them can be even tougher unless you have paid prime access.

No experience with land trust but sounds like it could be over hunted easily. Elk won't hang around with any pressure they will change zip codes real fast.

I really appreciate everything you guys post. Thanks

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I really appreciate everything you guys post. Thanks

I just need to figure out if I ready to drop $10k and as much as a cow would be a great experience I’m not sure that’s what I want either. I guess that’s why the land trust were appealing as you are exclusively hunting on their ranch or access property through their ranch for a lot less money…but you get what you pay for and there is a good chance you never see anything.

 

[antlerradar]

I just need to figure out if I ready to drop $10k and as much as a cow would be a great experience I’m not sure that’s what I want either. I guess that’s why the land trust were appealing as you are exclusively hunting on their ranch or access property through their ranch for a lot less money…but you get what you pay for and there is a good chance you never see anything.

I would be very careful with a land trust hunt. I am sure there are a few gems in land trust, but it is going to take some research to find them. If I was looking to sell access for hunting, land trust would be the option of last resort. I am going to bet the number one reason landowners are in land trust is that the property they own is so lacking of quality that no outfitter or hunt club is willing to pay much for the lease.
If you place a high value on the experience of the hunt, start doing research and find some public that fits your ability. If you want to kill a bull, hire a guide, but even then, a bull is not a guarantee.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I would be very careful with a land trust hunt. I am sure there are a few gems in land trust, but it is going to take some research to find them. If I was looking to sell access for hunting, land trust would be the option of last resort. I am going to bet the number one reason landowners are in land trust is that the property they own is so lacking of quality that no outfitter or hunt club is willing to pay much for the lease.
If you place a high value on the experience of the hunt, start doing research and find some public that fits your ability. If you want to kill a bull, hire a guide, but even then, a bull is not a guarantee.

Thank you sir

 

[antlerradar]

Thank you sir

I am just wondering what has happened to HT.
Members on a DIY public land hunting forum, recommending a private land outfitted hunt. Pure blasphemy.
A nonresident newbie asking from hunting advice and not getting blasted, but instead getting some really sold advice. The OP's posts should be required reading for all newbies.
I hope you have a great hunt and get a bull.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I am just wondering what has happened to HT.
Members on a DIY public land hunting forum, recommending a private land outfitted hunt. Pure blasphemy.
A nonresident newbie asking from hunting advice and not getting blasted, but instead getting some really sold advice. The OP's posts should be required reading for all newbies.
I hope you have a great hunt and get a bull.

Much appreciated sir, everyone has treated this non resident Montana Elk newbie with great kindness and kindness and have been very helpful. I appreciate everyone’s feedback.