DIY Elk hunting partner needed Montana 2017

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
I am looking for a DIY Elk Hunting partner for 2017, and possibly for yearly trips.
I live in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, so realistically it will need to be someone halfway close to me so we can meet on a regular basis to get to know each other.

DIY Elk hunting partner needed for SW Montana 2017.

I am 64 years old, married, I don't drink or smoke. And my Wife prefers that I don't hunt alone 1750 miles from home. My regular partner has retired, and doesn't want to go every year anymore. I started Elk hunting in 1986, and have gone every year for the last 12 years or so. With the last 7 years to SW Montana, and have been lucky enough to get 3 elk in the 7 years. 2016 will be my 8th year to hunt MT.
So I am looking for one person interested in going with me on a DIY Elk hunt to Montana in 2017, and maybe beyond. It will be a Rifle hunt.

I live in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, so it will need to be someone halfway close to me, so we can meet on a somewhat regular basis to get to know each other.

( If you're not willing to meet on a somewhat regular basis to get to know each other, you're wasting your time contacting me, I won't hunt with someone I don't know.) I made that mistake once it won't happen again.

I will be leaving on Sunday October 15th and be back on Oct. 29th . (this is a 2 week trip, if you can't do 2 weeks, don't waste your time contacting me.) I need to double check the dates yet, but I am pretty sure they are right.
I am giving up my outfitters tent this year. and going to a 27' Wedge Nose cargo trailer to use as camp, it will have wall to wall carpet, complete Kitchen area, porta potty, Shower, propane heat, And a Honda Generator for power. It will also have a 12' x 10' Awning on the side.
The 2 week trip will cost about $1,800.00 to $2000.00 each. That includes the Elk license which is about $865.00 and we will need to apply for the license in mid March 2017. and then a couple of weeks before we leave, I will have you give me $1,100.00 That will cover pretty much everything else. Food & Drinks at Camp, all the gas, Motel each way on the trip and the propane for heat.

I do have 2 Rules in my Hunting Camp that are ZERO TOLERANCE.
1 - No Drugs period. 2 -- No Alcoholic Beverages during hunting hours.
This is a DIY Hunt, you will need to be in decent shape, getting a Elk out is not easy.

P.S. Do to my Age, I would prefer someone over 40, but would consider someone in there 30s.

I am looking for 1 person, and only ONE person, if you want to bring someone else, you are wasting your time contacting me.

I don't make a dime on these trips, all expenses are split evenly.

Kevin
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marcusvdk

Veteran member
Dec 13, 2011
5,396
1,662
Michigan
I dont fit your criteria but nice to know there is some close here in Michigan on the forum im inbetween lansing and ionia. Hope you find someone to go with.
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
I dont fit your criteria but nice to know there is some close here in Michigan on the forum im inbetween lansing and ionia. Hope you find someone to go with.

Yep, there are a few of us serious Elk hunters here in MI.
you are a little far away, but not real bad, probably 1 1/2 hours ?. I get up that way every once in awhile, I love watching dirt track Racing, so I go to I 96 Speedway sometimes.
ideally I would like to find someone to make a yearly thing out of it, my buddy is pooping out on me. lol

Kevin
 

marcusvdk

Veteran member
Dec 13, 2011
5,396
1,662
Michigan
Yep, there are a few of us serious Elk hunters here in MI.
you are a little far away, but not real bad, probably 1 1/2 hours ?. I get up that way every once in awhile, I love watching dirt track Racing, so I go to I 96 Speedway sometimes.
ideally I would like to find someone to make a yearly thing out of it, my buddy is pooping out on me. lol

Kevin
Yeah about 1.5 hours. Yeah i 96 speedway is nice so ia Kalamazoo race track live endro and 4 cylinder races.
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
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72
Vicksburg, MI
Kev,
Thoughts you had found someone last year....
Bill in Ohio.

Hi Bill
I did, he went with me last year, and we had a good time, we saw 11 bulls while we were there. but he got hurt in a accident over the winter, so his western hunts are done.
my Fireman friend is going with me this year.
I really need to find someone that wants to go every year.

Kevin
 
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buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
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72
Vicksburg, MI
Here are a couple of pictures of the inside, I will miss the Wall Tent, but I won't miss how long it took to set it up. The Trailer is going to make life a lot easier.
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marcusvdk

Veteran member
Dec 13, 2011
5,396
1,662
Michigan
Wish i could go with you every year but with two little guys ( 2.5 year old and 2 month old) @ home. Every year definitely not in the cards. Hope you find someone. Your trailer set up is nice
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
Wish i could go with you every year but with two little guys ( 2.5 year old and 2 month old) @ home. Every year definitely not in the cards. Hope you find someone. Your trailer set up is nice

I doubt if I will ever find someone that would commit to going every year right off the bat.
and I wouldn't know until I spent 2 weeks with someone that I would want to do it again either.
it would just be nice if I could find a long term partner again. seeing that my old one is pooping out of me now that he retired.
as many of you know, finding a good hunting partner isn't easy.

Kevin
 

Daubs

Active Member
Aug 5, 2016
424
75
Nebraska
Man Kevin, I'd really be interested, however, the dates and my location won't work.

Daughter's play HS softball and state tournament is right around that time. And I live in Omaha, so distance from you is a factor.

Good luck finding a partner. I may PM you for advice on DIY hunts in Montana. Daubs
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
I had lunch with a guy Thursday, that seems real interested, with first impressions, we seem a lot alike, need to meet with him a few more times, to make sure he really wants to go and that we get along okay, but I think at this point, he will make a good partner for 2017 and maybe beyond ?.

Kevin
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
At this point it looks like the spot for my 2017 hunting partner is still open.
I don't know why, but it just seems like most guys don't see how important it is to meet and talk on a somewhat regular basis to make sure that you are compatable for a 2 week trip.

The New Elk Camp Trailer worked out Great this year, it is very comfortable for 2 people, the only change that I made when we got home was I added 13' of shelving to set things on.

Kevin

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rammont

Active Member
Oct 31, 2016
228
4
Montana
I live south of Elliston, Montana, northwest of where you hunt, drop me a line if you need help with anything. I can't guarantee that I can provide what you might need but if I can I will.
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
I live south of Elliston, Montana, northwest of where you hunt, drop me a line if you need help with anything. I can't guarantee that I can provide what you might need but if I can I will.

Thank you for the offer, actually back about 10 years ago, I considered hunting up close to your area. But ended up down around Bozeman.

Kevin
 

ThreeTikkas

Member
Mar 24, 2012
141
0
Too bad I live too far from you. Everything else sounds good. Im currently considering a trip to the Jordan Montana area for deer next fall. Actually figuring on a trip for deer or elk every year. Being 54 I hate to waste anymore good years. Been to the "Gunny" a couple times for elk and its in my blood so to speak.
 

buckykm1

Member
Dec 8, 2011
79
0
72
Vicksburg, MI
Too bad I live too far from you. Everything else sounds good. Im currently considering a trip to the Jordan Montana area for deer next fall. Actually figuring on a trip for deer or elk every year. Being 54 I hate to waste anymore good years. Been to the "Gunny" a couple times for elk and its in my blood so to speak.
I know what you mean, I made my first Elk hunting trip to the Walcott, CO. area in 1986, been hooked ever since. now I hope that I have 6 or 8 more years to do it.
just curious, what part of the country are you in ?.

Kevin