I just got back from spending a week elk/deer hunting in Montana. We all had a good time but I have a lot of questions. We hunted units 446 and 391 and found it was tough to find any mature deer. Can anyone recommend an area that might be better to try next time? The elk hunting was even harder. Mainly because we found them to be herded up already and tough to find. Is this common for this time of year. The weather was really nice and there wasn't any snow on the ground yet. We also learned from talking to a lot of local and out of state hunters that the outfitters and landowners in the area really try to control the herds. It looks like they do a good job of it too. Is this common in other areas? We heard a lot of stories on how they do it but we did witness some of it for ourselves. All in all we did like the area and since I didn't shoot an elk it just makes me wanna go back even more. It does make it though to justify paying that much for an elk tag when the outfitters and landowners play that much of a role on your success.
White Sulpher Springs Area
- Thread starter NDBucs11
- Start date
Slugz
Veteran member
That's tough. Is that a reportable offense in Montana? That same thing happens in GMU-82/86 in Colorado. I stopped hunting there.
That's funny, you say that. We ran into that dame thing down in district 330 with elk. The area looked really good and you could tell that there was all kinds of elk a month ago, but they were all down on private land.
The day before season we witnessed a plane buzzing them drainage at tree top. Made several passes.
Hard for me to believe that with the daytime temps in tg he 50's and low 60's, that the elk would be down in their wintering ranges already.
Not saying that they can't move down that far, but just saying that it raised an eyebrow!
The day before season we witnessed a plane buzzing them drainage at tree top. Made several passes.
Hard for me to believe that with the daytime temps in tg he 50's and low 60's, that the elk would be down in their wintering ranges already.
Not saying that they can't move down that far, but just saying that it raised an eyebrow!
TimberJunkie
Active Member
Bummer! I can give info on both animal situations. I will start with Mule Deer and Whitetail. you have to remember that in 2010 and 2011 there was bad winters and dissease outbreaks. The herds are finally recovering, but there aren't many big mature bucks. Where we hunt near Miles City, the herd is plentiful, but any 20-24 inch 4pt. Buck is a shooter, if you're looking for something bigger, they may not be there.. it kinds sucks, but reality. It's getting better every year though. Lots of young bucks....thumbs up to that.
As for elk, these animals are wise, when guns start shooting, they find the nearby private property. Unfortunately outfitters have secured some good leases and access points. I try not to hunt elk where there is private property close by, it's a real gamble. The place I saw 10 different bulls 8n 6 days in archery season, I saw 3 total elk in 5 days hunting in rifle season more pressure, more hunters, gunshots, and no rutting elk.
I hope you have better luck next year, call some local biologist s. They can generally point you to less popular areas. Where I hunt elk, the populations are lower, but there also a lot less hunters, I prefer it that way, some may like it the other way
As for elk, these animals are wise, when guns start shooting, they find the nearby private property. Unfortunately outfitters have secured some good leases and access points. I try not to hunt elk where there is private property close by, it's a real gamble. The place I saw 10 different bulls 8n 6 days in archery season, I saw 3 total elk in 5 days hunting in rifle season more pressure, more hunters, gunshots, and no rutting elk.
I hope you have better luck next year, call some local biologist s. They can generally point you to less popular areas. Where I hunt elk, the populations are lower, but there also a lot less hunters, I prefer it that way, some may like it the other way
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kesand72
Active Member
What a coincidence that you just posted this!
Exact same scenario just east of you, north of Harlowton.
Only chance at an elk here would be 1st thing opening morning before the 1000 head stampede onto private n stay there.
Heading to Broadus to look for a decent buck....
Exact same scenario just east of you, north of Harlowton.
Only chance at an elk here would be 1st thing opening morning before the 1000 head stampede onto private n stay there.
Heading to Broadus to look for a decent buck....
TimberJunkie
Active Member
I was an hour north of Broadus about 10 days ago and we saw a lot of bucks. Nothing huge bit a few in the 140 class. Good luck out there. I am headed out near Jordan. Warm weather, hopefully the rut still kicks in soon.
kesand72
Active Member
Yeah I've heard good things about the area. Had to try it out for myself.
I know it's early but I'm hopeful. If things look good I'd like to try n swing a Thanksgiving week rut hunt next year!
I know it's early but I'm hopeful. If things look good I'd like to try n swing a Thanksgiving week rut hunt next year!