Peak Run in Montana - Kalispell area

[jvidrine]

Hey fellas good morning. So here's a long story short - I have a good friend who's aunt lives in Kalispell and has invited he and I to both shoot an elk on her private property next year. I've been doing research on the Montana FWP website and the MRS section of Eastman's. I'm looking for some suggestions as to when the best time to go would be. I would like to hit the peak rut or post run preferably, if that's possible.

Both of us will be rifle hunting. I believe we will be hunting in 1 of 3 hunting districts, either 102, 120, or 170.

Also, I believe her property bumps up to a refuge or reserve that allows hunting, so hunting public land is very much a possibility. I am working on getting an address so I can nail down more specifics. Thanks for the Help.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

What do you need help with?

If you want to rifle hunt on private land, it will be after the peak elk rut, and most of the rutting activity will be done.

Sounds like a pretty good hookup.

 

[Musket Man]

Seems like your best info would be from the landowner as to when elk are usually on their property. Im not familiar with that area but the areas I have hunted in MT private land usually doesnt see many elk until later when there is enough snow to push them down out of the high country.

 

[jvidrine]

What do you need help with?

If you want to rifle hunt on private land, it will be after the peak elk rut, and most of the rutting activity will be done.

Sounds like a pretty good hookup.

I guess I need to know what is the best time during the rifle gun season to make our trip, given that the rut will be over.

Also, I want a backup plan if we get up there and there are no elk on her property. How can I go about finding wilderness areas that allow hunting? I'm just getting started here guys, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Musket Man]

If you want to hunt higher country go earlier, if you plan on hunting lower go later when there is more snow to push them down. Get forest service maps for the area. You can hunt wilderness and forest service aslong as it is in a general elk unit.

 

[jvidrine]

Musket Man

Thanks for the reply. This was exactly the kind of general information I was looking for. As I said before, I am doing this for the first time, going out west, so thanks for the help.

 

[katdaddy2013]

You a blessed man to get an invite like that. I was wanting to go to Montana for my first elk hunt but am going on an father and son OTC hunt in Colorado instead. Go have a blast and Good Luck!

 

[jvidrine]

Thanks

katdaddy2013

I am very lucky. There is still a ton of work/planning to do. I think that's one of the best parts though. I am defiantly learning as I go.