Non resident hunting advice

[Kydeerslayer64]

Like I said before I only have one out west hunt under my belt but typically the elk move to the lower elevations depending on the weather (later seasons - more snow = not as much food to recover from the rut). Bulls are said to stay a little higher than cows but I'm sure that depends on the food that is available at that particular time of year. Also in some places the lower elevation areas are usually on private land and the elk know this to due to lower hunting pressure, more access to food, etc. It also depends on what time of the year you are going. Earlier in the year, more forage/higher elevation, bulls are more interested in cows, etc. Later in the year, move to lower elevations depending on the weather, post rut bulls are trying to recover (need food, water and shelter) leading to the bulls going into what Big Fin would call sanctuaries to get away from pressure, etc. Meaning steep nasty away from where most hunters don't want to go. This is all from what I've gathered in trying to educate myself as best as I can with the little amount of time I have out west.

Thanks for replying

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I’m curious with a brother in Bozeman what his success rate on elk is? It may be worth opting out of the draw this year picking a point up later an coming out and spending a week in camp with him an see what this is all about before diving in

He moved to Montana to get away from the typical state BS. He has hunted mainly in Michigan where it’s more about coming back to camp to a cold beer and some food that is bad for you than killing a deer. He’s interested in hunting in Montana but has not done it yet.

 

[8andcounting]

He moved to Montana to get away from the typical state BS. He has hunted mainly in Michigan where it’s more about coming back to camp to a cold beer and some food that is bad for you than killing a deer. He’s interested in hunting in Montana but has not done it yet.

PM’d you .

 

[cgasner1]

He moved to Montana to get away from the typical state BS. He has hunted mainly in Michigan where it’s more about coming back to camp to a cold beer and some food that is bad for you than killing a deer. He’s interested in hunting in Montana but has not done it yet.

What’s gonna be your preferred method?

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

What’s gonna be your preferred method?

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I don’t have the luxury of scouting areas prior or adjusting my hunting dates on the fly because of different weather patterns. I have to commit to a date early and most likely Thanksgiving week.
A lot also depends if I’m drawn for a permit area as well which is unlikely but not impossible. I have ruled out a guided Elk Bull hunt this year and still figuring out the rest. I haven’t ruled out a total pass either yet and just calling the money spent on points a Montana donation. Honestly 65/35 on hunting right now

 

[Gerald Martin]

Nope.

Care to provide the legal proscription that doesn’t allow landowners to outfit on their deeded property without an outfitter license?

Private property owners can accompany hunters (guide/outfit) on their deeded land without holding an outfitter’s license.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Care to provide the legal proscription that doesn’t allow landowners to outfit on their deeded property without an outfitter license?

Private property owners can accompany hunters (guide/outfit) on their deeded land without holding an outfitter’s license.

Ok, thanks and that’s very interesting. Do you recommend anyone specifically?

 

[Forkyfinder]

Care to provide the legal proscription that doesn’t allow landowners to outfit on their deeded property without an outfitter license?

Nope.

Doesnt make you right though. I just dont care to try to prove anything to someone im not convinced is capable of understanding.

P.s. laws permit who can - not who cant do something.

 

[cgasner1]

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I don’t have the luxury of scouting areas prior or adjusting my hunting dates on the fly because of different weather patterns. I have to commit to a date early and most likely Thanksgiving week.
A lot also depends if I’m drawn for a permit area as well which is unlikely but not impossible. I have ruled out a guided Elk Bull hunt this year and still figuring out the rest. I haven’t ruled out a total pass either yet and just calling the money spent on points a Montana donation. Honestly 65/35 on hunting right now

Sounds to me like a great reason to go visit your brother for thanksgiving and do some scouting. If you look at the odds on most nr le tags with your points the money this year may be better spent on raffle tickets

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Nope.

Doesnt make you right though. I just dont care to try to prove anything to someone im not convinced is capable of understanding.

P.s. laws permit who can - not who cant do something.

Thanks, I think…not sure exactly what you are referring too or if it was something I said, but regardless, thanks for replying

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Sounds to me like a great reason to go visit your brother for thanksgiving and do some scouting. If you look at the odds on most nr le tags with your points the money this year may be better spent on raffle tickets

I realize that as the odds on landing a KY tag is about 40000 to 1. However having 2 preference points does give me about an 80% chance of drawing for a general license and that’s what I’m trying to figure out what I would do if I got drawn.
Thanks so much for your reply as well!

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I realize that as the odds on landing a KY tag is about 40000 to 1. However having 2 preference points does give me about an 80% chance of drawing for a general license and that’s what I’m trying to figure out what I would do if I got drawn.
Thanks so much for your reply as well!

And I would be perfectly okay just sitting and glassing for days and not seeing anything as it’s as much about being in the hunt and just gaining some experience and knowledge for the next time.

 

[cgasner1]

I realize that as the odds on landing a KY tag is about 40000 to 1. However having 2 preference points does give me about an 80% chance of drawing for a general license and that’s what I’m trying to figure out what I would do if I got drawn.
Thanks so much for your reply as well!

I’ll be honest with you if you had started this thread with my brother lives in Bozeman and I think I might go hunt thanksgiving week with him for elk it would have went totally different. Get the tag go hunting you’ll only get so many seasons with your health and brother.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I’ll be honest with you if you had started this thread with my brother lives in Bozeman and I think I might go hunt thanksgiving week with him for elk it would have went totally different. Get the tag go hunting you’ll only get so many seasons with your health and brother.

Thanks and I appreciate what you’re saying.
My brother in law is my excuse to enter and I may hunt with or without him as he is more of he rather drop $10k get the Bull Elk and move on, but that’s not me at all. He actually knows much less about the Montana Elk than I do. As for the thanksgiving timing, that makes the most sense as it not like me hunting on my farm here. I can stay home a couple days here and wait for the better opportunity because of weather, hunting there I don’t have that luxury as work still gets in the way.
Thanks for your opinion and for replying.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Thanks and I appreciate what you’re saying.
My brother in law is my excuse to enter and I may hunt with or without him as he is more of he rather drop $10k get the Bull Elk and move on, but that’s not me at all. He actually knows much less about the Montana Elk than I do. As for the thanksgiving timing, that makes the most sense as it not like me hunting on my farm here. I can stay home a couple days here and wait for the better opportunity because of weather, hunting there I don’t have that luxury as work still gets in the way.
Thanks for your opinion and for replying.

And Thanksgiving is just a thought right now as well…that too is not nailed down as if I decided to pass on this year visiting them will be a pass as well.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Ok, thanks and that’s very interesting. Do you recommend anyone specifically?

I don’t have any leads on individual landowners. Just trying to clarify what is and isn’t legal in MT in regards to licensed outfitting. It’s tangent to your original request so I apologize for taking your thread in a direction that doesn’t help you with your search. Good luck with your hunt! You’re getting some solid advice here.

Elk hunting success historically runs at about 10% across the board so keep that in mind as you set your expectations.

There’s plenty of elk on public land but your level of fitness and ability to get into the parts of the mountain that hold elk and pack them out is going to be a major factor in your success. There are a lot of other motivated individuals who are also parking at the access points and hiking in as well.

A good private land outfitter or public land outfitter with access across private property can help offset the challenges of getting into proximity to elk if your fitness level isn’t high. An outfitter certainly isn’t required if you have the physical ability and determination to do it on your own.