Elk Hunting in the Bearpaws?

[Elkoholic307]

I can't seem to draw a bull tag in my home state so I suppose I better start looking in Montana.

I'm up in Havre right now and have been talking to the locals and they say the big boys live in District 690.

What do all you Montanans think?

 

[Big Sky]

Bulls are big up there. But the draw odds are fairly steep and access is limited.

 

[Elkoholic307]

I noticed the access looked awfully sketchy. I don't mind applying for several years as long as it's a great unit.

I was told there are no wolves or grizzlies there, is that true?

 

[Big Sky]

There isn't any grizzlies but as for wolves I think that they are about throughout the whole state.

 

[Elkoholic307]

That's kinda what I figured.

 

[pre 64 model 70 .270]

I know a lot of hunters in Havre, no one has said anything about wolves. I grew up there, its 99% private land and the BLM land is tough to get too because you have to cross private land to get too it, and most won't let you. Do a google search of Bullwhacker road and you'll see what im talking about. Its a absolutely beautiful area, both 680 and 690. Killed alot of big bucks in the breaks back in the 80s-90s.

 

[Elkoholic307]

I'm baffled why anyone would want to still put in for it. How do you hunt an area that's 99% private? Are there any walk-ins or HMAs... or do you just have to pay steep trespass fees? Or worse yet, hire an outfitter?

 

[pre 64 model 70 .270]

There is a outfitter that has locked up alot of land in that area. Bearpaw outfitters is the company. Look them up. I requested a price list from them last year, $10,000 to shoot a Elk. $7,000 for a mule deer. There is land to hunt, but you just have to know who will let you on. The propery owner on Bullwacker road, which is the breaks area, will let tag holders for elk and sheep use the road i guess. Just makes me sick to see all the ranches i hunted on as a kid locked up.. The almighty dollar speaks. There are block management areas in the bearpaws south of Havre, not many, but a few. I put in for tags last year. Was hoping to beable to go home and hunt again, but didnt get drawn.

 

[pre 64 model 70 .270]

And be more specific, I believe the Bearpaws are 100% private and the BLM land is in the breaks area.

 

[Elkoholic307]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be scratching this idea...

 

[pre 64 model 70 .270]

Follow up on this topic.

Just got back from Havre and did some drivng around. Talked to a rancher on the south side of the Bear Paws. According to him between the Cowan Ranch buying up about 1/4 million acres (Cowan son married Dorothy Browning of Browning Arms) and Chris Faber, Bear Paw Outfitters leasing up another 1/4 million acres, ( not exaggeration those numbers at all), it is very difficult to find good country to hunt. There is block managment areas, but they are not in the prime areas.

The Bullwhacker road issue i mentioned in a prevous post shows some good signs. The Anchor Ranch sold to a guy from Texas, however his real intrest is some land north of Billings, and is working to do a land swap with the BLM. And for the BLM to own this land would be amazing as it is the only reasonable accsess to 50,000 acres of more BLM land in the Breaks in HD 680.

Here is a link to the sales brochure for the ranch.
http://www.montwyowest.com/Home/Anchor Brochure 5.pdf

 

[Kevin Root]

Follow up on this topic.

Just got back from Havre and did some drivng around. Talked to a rancher on the south side of the Bear Paws. According to him between the Cowan Ranch buying up about 1/4 million acres (Cowan son married Dorothy Browning or Browning Arms) and Chris Faber, Bear Paw Outfitters leasing up another 1/4 million acres, ( not exaggeration those numbers at all), it is very difficult to find good country to hunt. There is block managment areas, but they are not in the prime areas.

The Bullwhacker road issue i mentioned in a prevous post shows some good signs. The Anchor Ranch sold to a guy from Texas, however his real intrest is some land north of Billings, and is working to do a land swap with the BLM. And for the BLM to own this land would be amazing as it is the only reasonable accsess to 50,000 acres of more BLM land in the Breaks in HD 680.

Here is a link to the sales brochure for the ranch.
http://www.montwyowest.com/Home/Anchor Brochure 5.pdf

There are sure some big land barrens out the with large holdings. Part of me can't blame them. If I had that kind of money I'd like to have a homestead like that too. Funny, I was just checking browsing the web looking at Montanta real estate. I think that ranch is a bit out of my price range though . I sure like Montana. I think I could talk my wife to retiring there.