Son's First Elk Hunt - Montana, where to go?

[oletom]

Looking to take my son (13 now) next year or the following (when I draw) on his first Archery Elk Hunt. 2018/2019 season depending on my draw. My understanding of the state regs, is I need to have a valid tag in order to mentor or take him? He can BOC an Elk tag but I have to draw in either of the units I am currently looking at.

Just wondering or looking for some input on which units we should be looking at for applying. PUBLIC LAND HUNT. I want to start him off right, IMO, on the DIY hunts and have him learn the ins an outs of it this way.

I have never hunted Montana so it is a whole new ball game for me there. Hunted Idaho and Colorado in the past, but have buddies hunting the Missouri Break and doing well so I was thinking of that area. 622/621... or looking at the SE part of the state down in around UNIT 704/705.

What are your thoughts on taking a 13/14 yr old on his first elk hunt to either of those units? Or what would you recommend?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Jay/NC]

Don't have any advice/experience to help you but I'm hoping to do the same thing when my 11yo son gets a little older. Matter of fact I'm sitting in the SLC airport on a layover on my way to SW Montana for my first elk hunt. 16 day public land DIY archery deer/elk combo general tag. I'm hoping to gain some knowledge from this hunt to apply on future hunts.

Hope your hunt works out Tom!


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[jvonbank]

I have always enjoyed archery elk hunting in The Breaks. My dad and I have hunted out there 6 yrs and I have had a shot at an elk every year but one. While I haven't ever hunted the north side units, I would guess it is similar to where we hunt in 410. As long as it doesn't rain, getting around is relatively easy for an elk hunt (the rain this week pushed our hunt out to next week). Most days we are also able to get into elk somewhere too which makes it fun. It is very open country though and getting into bow range can be a challenge. Unfortunately it will likely take you a few years to draw archery tags there as NR's. Glad to here you want to get out there with you son, I look forward to going somewhere out west with Dad each year. He's turning 60 this year and won't be able to do it forever so do it while you can!

Jared

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[prhunter]

Not sure if you had a specific state in mind but NM has some great opportunities for youth elk hunters.

 

[480/277]

Elk hunting can be a rough hunt. Up early, to bed late. Covering a lot of rough country.
Now I don't know you or your son, but most 13 year olds I
know just can't physically handle an elk hunt.

I think a DIY antelope hunt is more fun for a young hunter and a better fit for
a first time DIY hunt.

 

[MTHusker]

If bow hunting I agree with 480/277, I have seen grown men about pee their pants having a raging bull come in fast, a youngster would probably be even more nervous. We had a 17 year old young man come with his father last fall, he had quite a few chances, missed a couple bulls.....but he loved every second of the hunt. The experience would be awesome, but my question would be is a 13 y.o really ready to shoot a bull, would hate to see an animal wounded and run off. Using a rifle on the other hand in my opinion is a much better option. I had the opportunity to hunt with a few youngsters the past few years, a couple as young as 12 who took bulls, it is a great experience.