Suggestions for a first timer

[PrimalCooking]

Hello,

I just moved from Florida to Montana and I obtained my DAV hunting license through Idaho. I was able to go scout the area I was interested in this past week and found about 30 cows. The season for cows opens Aug 1st and for any weapon it must harvested within one mile from cultivated property. I am going back next week to sit for a few more days to see if I can find any bulls. My question is this. If it were your first year and you wanted to put meat in the freezer would you go ahead and shoot a cow first chance you get or would you take your chances later in the month with archery only in hopes to find a bull? This is a first elk hunt for me and I am conflicted with getting what I can or trying to hold out. Any logic, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated as I really want to bag an elk but would prefer a bull if possible. I am completely new to this mountain hunting and will gain experience nonetheless but am conflicted on this because I cannot get any elk B tags. Thank you for any input.

 

[go_deep]

Tag the first freaking thing that matches your tag!

 

[PrimalCooking]

If I am understanding this correctly it is for either sex but depends on the weapon you want to use? I was unable to speak with a fish and game agent who was familiar with the DAV tags today. The lady I spoke with said she thought it was either sex but I need to confirm. I am thinking I am going to drop the first thing I can given it is my first year. Thank you

 

[go_deep]

Besides moose, elk is the best eating wild game in my opinion. I do my dangdest every year to put an elk in the freezer.

 

[Slugz]

If its brown its down......when I have an either sex tag.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

You can't eat the horns! Nuff said!

 

[kidoggy]

Hello,

I just moved from Florida to Montana and I obtained my DAV hunting license through Idaho. I was able to go scout the area I was interested in this past week and found about 30 cows. The season for cows opens Aug 1st and for any weapon it must harvested within one mile from cultivated property. I am going back next week to sit for a few more days to see if I can find any bulls. My question is this. If it were your first year and you wanted to put meat in the freezer would you go ahead and shoot a cow first chance you get or would you take your chances later in the month with archery only in hopes to find a bull? This is a first elk hunt for me and I am conflicted with getting what I can or trying to hold out. Any logic, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated as I really want to bag an elk but would prefer a bull if possible. I am completely new to this mountain hunting and will gain experience nonetheless but am conflicted on this because I cannot get any elk B tags. Thank you for any input.

yes! if it were my first year AND I wanted meat in the freezer, there is absolutely zero doubt ,I would shoot the first cow I could.

on the other hand ,if you are o.k with eating tag soup, go after that bull. just know that your odds of success are most likely very low til you get some experience

 

[LCH]

I agree, you now have so many opportunities available to you in Montana, I'd shoot the first legal animal and spend the rest of your fall/winter learning your new area and preparing for next year and hunting OTC tags (bear, wolf, etc.)

 

[arwaterfowler]

My advice is take a cow for your first hunt. It is still an incredible experience and you will learn the challenge of field dressing and packing an animal of that size in a light environment. If you want a greater thrill then consider using the bow during the any weapon season.


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[Hilltop]

I grew up in Wyoming and hunted with a group of individuals who thankfully placed any elk in the trophy category. I shot my first 1 year old cow elk when I was 14 and it was celebrated like I just shot a 300 class bull. The amazing meat from that animal confirmed just how great of a trophy she was over the following winter. It was so good I applied for a cow tag the next year even though we were only allowed one elk at that time. I didn't shoot my first bull until several years later but I didn't feel like any less of a hunter for shooting a cow every year. The bottom line, any elk is a trophy elk as even cows can be very challenging to harvest. Great advice above imo. Take the first legal adult elk you get a chance at and you won't ever regret it.

 

[ScottR]

Is this your first elk? Killing the first one is usually the hardest, after that they star to come easier and easier! At least finding them anyway. You can worry about bulls later.

 

[badgerbob]

Good advice already given. I'd shoot a cow. Well actually first legal animal that gets in range. You'll enjoy the harvest and the meat. Will you be hunting deer also? Might work out that you could take a cow then go for a buck, if you are wanting to make an attempt at a trophy...

 

[Bonecollector]

All good advice given. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Catahoula12]

Either sex tag...for me cow or bull. Best of luck to you!!

 

[DanPickar]

Any elk on public land with general tag in MT is a trophy. Shoot a cow. I doubt you will see a bull in the same area as cows until the rut.

 

[Spudman]

I agree with everyone here...1st elk you can shoot (cow or bull) put it down and enjoy the meat the rest of the year.

 

[MTHusker]

First, are you hunting public ground or have you secured permission to hunt some land? I am all for putting meat in the freezer, but if you have a place where you really do not have a lot of competition from other hunters, I would not be in a hurry to shoot the first cow I saw....if there are 30 cows around, be interesting to see what shows up in a September. Heck, watching elk is a good way to spend the day anyway.

 

[kidoggy]

never pass on an animal if you will regret passing on it later, when eating tag soup.

 

[JimP]

I agree with kidoggy. The old adage of never passing up on the first day that you will shoot on the last day applies greatly to the first time elk hunter.

By passing up a shot early you might learn more but with elk you just never know. So unless you are searching for that one in a lifetime bull elk shoot the first one that comes into range, be it a bull or cow if you have the appropriate license.

 

[PrimalCooking]

Thank you everyone for all the great advice. I am going to drop whatever I get a chance to. I sincerely appreciate all of the positive feedback. I have hunted my whole life on the East Coast and if I posted something like this in Florida I would get berated with all kinds of dumb stuff. It truly shows that all of you are great humans and hunters. I am going to be hunting the Salmon National Forest come August 1st. I just got back from more scouting and got on a herd of about 30 cows but zero bulls. There were a lot of great points brought up that I definitely did not consider. First, I have never packed out anything that size. I was able to get closer to the herd this time and they are way bigger than what I am use to. Secondly, tag soup and horns are not edible. That is a great point that I failed to consider. Again, I cannot thank everyone enough for showing me respect and pointing me in the right direction. I have a general deer, elk, and bear tag on top of my upland game etc. I am debating on getting a Montana license this year. I can get a student license Sept. 16th for 535$. My neighbor here runs a tactical shop in Belgrade is has offered to take me to his buddies property where I am guaranteed to kill a bull. If this seems like it will happen I will most definitely pay the 525$ but if I do not have access to any private land this year I may hold off until next and just do some waterfowl hunting and hopefully learn more about the area. I wish each of you success in the field and in life. Thank you all for making me feel welcomed here.