MTELKGUY1
New member
Hey guys,
First post to the forum, but have been a viewer for a long time. I've hunted elk for many years but just started archery hunting about 5 years ago. I'm curious as to what the Montana archery elk hunters think this year will be like. We had a long winter and late spring, but after recent temperatures and low humidity, it looks like things will be pretty dry come start of archery (recent fire activity shows that). Opening day looks like the moon will be 42% illuminated and 100% illumination taking place on the 12-13. From my experience and talking with other guys, the "magic" day takes place on or around Sept15-18. Even with all this said, I know it's not the end of the world and anything can happen. The elk are still out there, our tactics just need to be adjusted. I know some of you think the guys who go out opening weekend are crazy, but my bow needs to go for a walk, and if I see some wildlife while I'm out, even better.
I am hunting a new area this year and will mostly be "checking it out" for that first weekend. I've done some scouting and so far like what I've seen. If the conditions are what is predicted and as mentioned above, here's what I'll be trying:
A) I'll stick to the north facing slopes and drainages The best grass is located here, and its where we'll most likely find water. After a long hot day, the elk will likely be moving toward those areas later in the evening. Which leads to...
B) Hunt when the elk are most active If it will be as hot as I think it will be, the elk will feed at night under the moon. I drove through Lincoln early in the morning two days ago and it was 31 degrees when I fueled there. Hot days and cold nights, the evening and early morning hunts look like a good time to be out and about. If I can find the elk and know where they're bedded during the day, I may sneak in close (1-200 yards) and see if I can cow call something out. Other than that, you won't find this guy running around bugling every 15 min on opening weekend like most of the yahoos out there.
C) Cow calls The bulls will be curious, as they will be starting to think about rutting. I've had success imitating cows and cows in estrus. I like hunting with at least one partner and if setup 100 yards from each other, we'll cow call back and forth to each other. I've called in elk early in the season doing this, but usually they came in quite and each time caught me by surprise and unprepared.
Anyhow, those are a few of the tactics I'll be using. I'd love to hear feedback on what you think and what other ideas or tactics you have.
For what its worth, I will be on public land with an over the counter tag. Occasionally there are other hunters in the area, as it is a short drive from nearby towns.
Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing feedback.
MTELKGUY1
First post to the forum, but have been a viewer for a long time. I've hunted elk for many years but just started archery hunting about 5 years ago. I'm curious as to what the Montana archery elk hunters think this year will be like. We had a long winter and late spring, but after recent temperatures and low humidity, it looks like things will be pretty dry come start of archery (recent fire activity shows that). Opening day looks like the moon will be 42% illuminated and 100% illumination taking place on the 12-13. From my experience and talking with other guys, the "magic" day takes place on or around Sept15-18. Even with all this said, I know it's not the end of the world and anything can happen. The elk are still out there, our tactics just need to be adjusted. I know some of you think the guys who go out opening weekend are crazy, but my bow needs to go for a walk, and if I see some wildlife while I'm out, even better.
I am hunting a new area this year and will mostly be "checking it out" for that first weekend. I've done some scouting and so far like what I've seen. If the conditions are what is predicted and as mentioned above, here's what I'll be trying:
A) I'll stick to the north facing slopes and drainages The best grass is located here, and its where we'll most likely find water. After a long hot day, the elk will likely be moving toward those areas later in the evening. Which leads to...
B) Hunt when the elk are most active If it will be as hot as I think it will be, the elk will feed at night under the moon. I drove through Lincoln early in the morning two days ago and it was 31 degrees when I fueled there. Hot days and cold nights, the evening and early morning hunts look like a good time to be out and about. If I can find the elk and know where they're bedded during the day, I may sneak in close (1-200 yards) and see if I can cow call something out. Other than that, you won't find this guy running around bugling every 15 min on opening weekend like most of the yahoos out there.
C) Cow calls The bulls will be curious, as they will be starting to think about rutting. I've had success imitating cows and cows in estrus. I like hunting with at least one partner and if setup 100 yards from each other, we'll cow call back and forth to each other. I've called in elk early in the season doing this, but usually they came in quite and each time caught me by surprise and unprepared.
Anyhow, those are a few of the tactics I'll be using. I'd love to hear feedback on what you think and what other ideas or tactics you have.
For what its worth, I will be on public land with an over the counter tag. Occasionally there are other hunters in the area, as it is a short drive from nearby towns.
Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing feedback.
MTELKGUY1
