Non resident hunting advice

[cgasner1]

No offense, but if your Bozeman resident BIL is skipping out of Montana on Thanksgiving week, the last week of gun season, that indicates alot.
Hire a guide.

Dude could be a killer and know he won’t need all 12 weeks

 

[Hem]

Dude could be a killer and know he won’t need all 12 weeks

True.
But I doubt it.

 

[BuzzH]

No offense, but if your Bozeman resident BIL is skipping out of Montana on Thanksgiving week, the last week of gun season, that indicates alot.
Hire a guide.

And he should have a talk with his sister...

 

[Hem]

And he should have a talk with his sister...

Or...plan a summer vacation and go for a hike in elk country.
Reality check...without snow.
Though apparantly we might not have much of that any further.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

No offense, but if your Bozeman resident BIL is skipping out of Montana on Thanksgiving week, the last week of gun season, that indicates alot.
Hire a guide.

Well, that’s what he’s telling me at least …I have definitely decided to purchase additional points and enter in the drawing…what happens afterwards is still to be determined, but regardless will only have a few days to hunt…

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

True.
But I doubt it.

Thanks Hem

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Dude could be a killer and know he won’t need all 12 weeks

Stranger things have happened…I shot and missed my targeted 150+ deer in September and smoked him with my smoke pole in December…all you need is to be in the right place at the right time, plus a lot of luck and bam.It all can come together in seconds. I’ll take what I can get this trip and gain some experience and knowledge for the next longer trip god willing of course.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I’ll take what I can get this trip and gain some experience and knowledge for the next longer trip god willing of course.

That is a good attitude which may allow better enjoyment of your trip. 'Couple of points:

1. Like busy opening day, Thanksgiving is the "last hurrah" as it is the holiday at end of season, so the woods will be full of desperate hunters.
2. As someone who has lived in Montana my whole life, beginning elk hunting made me think that elk were mythical creatures conjured up to sell hunting gear. It took much boot leather, scouting, experience, and knowledge before becoming successful at harvesting elk consistently.

Just decide to enjoy Montana and get out to hike and see nice country. Good luck to you.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

That is a good attitude which may allow better enjoyment of your trip. 'Couple of points:

1. Like busy opening day, Thanksgiving is the "last hurrah" as it is the holiday at end of season, so the woods will be full of desperate hunters.
2. As someone who has lived in Montana my whole life, beginning elk hunting made me think that elk were mythical creatures conjured up to sell hunting gear. It took much boot leather, scouting, experience, and knowledge before becoming successful at harvesting elk consistently.

Just decide to enjoy Montana and get out to hike and see nice country. Good luck to you.

Thanks, that’s awesome advice!

 

[2rocky]

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

I think you Dave Ramsey up and start squirrelling away cash for an elk hunt October 2027. Find an outfitter with horses or private land vehicle based hunt. In truth you might do well with a booking service that can give you some direction and ideas. But get something on the books so you are committed or you will keep buying points and never use them.

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.

You don't need an elk tag to do this....Go to Rocky Mountain National Park in the End of September or Jackson Hole Wyoming in January and you can see all the elk your heart desires.

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) offers premier elk viewing, particularly during the September-October rut (mating season), when bugling bulls and their herds frequent meadows like Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, and the Kawuneeche Valley. Dawn and dusk are the most active times. Always maintain a distance of at least 75 feet (two school bus lengths) from the elk.

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY, offers premier elk viewing from mid-December through early April, with thousands of elk wintering on the grounds. The best way to see them is via horse-drawn sleigh rides (offered mid-Dec to early April) departing from the Jackson Hole visitor center, or by driving the 3.5-mile permitted section of Refuge Road.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

I think you Dave Ramsey up and start squirrelling away cash for an elk hunt October 2027. Find an outfitter with horses or private land vehicle based hunt. In truth you might do well with a booking service that can give you some direction and ideas. But get something on the books so you are committed or you will keep buying points and never use them.


You don't need an elk tag to do this....Go to Rocky Mountain National Park in the End of September or Jackson Hole Wyoming in January and you can see all the elk your heart desires.

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) offers premier elk viewing, particularly during the September-October rut (mating season), when bugling bulls and their herds frequent meadows like Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, and the Kawuneeche Valley. Dawn and dusk are the most active times. Always maintain a distance of at least 75 feet (two school bus lengths) from the elk.

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY, offers premier elk viewing from mid-December through early April, with thousands of elk wintering on the grounds. The best way to see them is via horse-drawn sleigh rides (offered mid-Dec to early April) departing from the Jackson Hole visitor center, or by driving the 3.5-mile permitted section of Refuge Road.

Thanks for replying…
KY has a bigger herd than most people realize, in fact there are still people in KY that don’t know we even have them here…
There are also viewing areas to see them here. I saw several big bulls on my KY hunt but they were either too far or cowed up…
Thanks again