MT Breaks

[Quackwhacker]

I have been watching this site for some time now and just became a member. I like what I see.

I was drawn for the 410 either sex tag. I will be archery hunting. What can I expect for bulls? Are they in teh 400's or will I be looking for 300 class? Any info would be good info.

Thanks for the great site

 

[theox]

the units called 410 must be 400's on it

 

[crextin]

Depends on how much time you have and how much work you can devote. 400 is pushing it, but a solid 350 to 380 isn't unreasonable.

 

[Stubaby]

Do you live in MT? If so do you live near the breaks? There will be a million people hunting that area with their bows. The elk are very call shy, but there are some 380 class ones in there. I like archery and all, but there are lots of opportunities to hunt decent bulls with a bow all over the state on any given year. If I had an any sex tag on 410 I would hunt that with my rifle when lots fewer guys will be there and put a big boy down with lead. If a big guy comes your way with a bow go for it...but that tag with a rifle is pretty much once in a lifetime.

 

[northwesthunter]

There won't be a million people in the breaks for bow season since it is a draw now but I am curious what the pressure is like. Three of us drew the bow tag for the breaks and are hoping for a little luck but have never been there so will see, sounds like lots of elk but don't expect them to come in to a call huh. What is the best time to go mid or late sept? Tks nwhunter

 

[Randy11]

I'm a little confused, did you draw the archery only tag or the rifle tag? If it's the latter it's pointless to hunt during archery season, you can do that almost every year anyways.

From what I know of the unit though, I wouldn't pass anything over 300 with a bow, and would hold out for 350-360 or bigger with a rifle.

 

[Quackwhacker]

It is an archery tag only for bulls. I dont live there but will be living there for almost all of sept. I hope to find a nice water hole in the middle of nowhere and wait for the bull of my life to walk in. Thanks for all the info. I cant wait to post some pics.

 

[Spooner]

If you shoot elk anywhere near the way you shoot deer in the Methow you'll be chasing them for a long time. Also they can hear the truck coming so don't worry about all that fancy camo. ;-)

 

[Dikndirt]

Whack man, I have hunted both sides of the breaks in the past. Archery hunts both times,lots of bulls in the 280 to 320 class. Best method seemed to be to hunt halfway between river and top of breaks. Access is from the water or the road at top of breaks. Bulls were quite vocal at night but hushed up at daylight. I was a little disapointed in the top end. But if you want to see the big boys look on north side in no hunting zone...wow some beasts in there. Also some of the biggest bulls are taken in october when pressure eases up. PM me if you want to talk.

 

[WillPower]

I have hunted the Breaks mid Sept, late Sept and early October. Alot less pressure in early October. I am hunting NM this year, so assumning the archery season is about the same as in the past. Bulls are totally call shy, forget calling period. Has anyone let you in on this area if it rains??? The mud can be beyond awful. PM me and I will be glad to share some information with you. There are a couple equipment related things that are must haves as well. Good luck on your hunt. I can not draw a MT tag these days to save my self. We have seen some nice bulls there, but my brother hates the place and will never go back. Will be a totally different hunt and hopefully the draw will tone down the circus a bit.

WP




"My only regret in life is setting my goals too low"

 

[northwesthunter]

willpower
sent yo a pm nwhunter

 

[Quackwhacker]

Dikndirt and Willpower

I sent both of you a PM

 

[Bonez]

As I understand the new draw, the maximum number of tags is either 100% of 2007 or 2008 tag holders. Out of the maximum number it is limited to 10% NR hunters. I'm not sure if the max is not met, if additional % over 10% will be given to NR. Last year was not to bad people wise were I was hunting. My experience the first couple days of the season is probably the best bet to score an elk. And then like some have said later in the season.

I hunt north of the river so can't give you specifics, but will pm some breaks hunting tips.

 

[Quackwhacker]

thanks for the info Bonez.

 

[northwesthunter]

Thanks for the pms guys. Question. Since I have never hunted the breaks before but hear lots about it I am curious why it is such a popular place? Is it because of the large amount of public land or is it more because of the amount of elk and deer? I enjoy hunting the mountains and timber for archery elk where you can get away from the people and hopefully call some elk in to close range. We drew the breaks bow tags but I am starting to second guess the area with the talk of very call shy elk and expecting long shots at best. I am hoping for opportunity at mature bulls not necessarily 300 plus, that would be nice, but mostly a quality hunt and experience will make me happy so... can I find this in the breaks if I am willing to hike which I am or should I look more to the mtns? I don't need someone to tell me where to go just someone who has been there and understands what makes a fun archery hunt to say yes with effort you will have a good hunt there not necessarily kill a bull but have plenty of opportunity. Thanks nwhunter

 

[Stubaby]

Never hunted the breaks. I drive through them all the time for work and glass a lot tho. Don't know why so many guys hunt the breaks. I sure am glad they do and that now they gotta pick their region to stay and hunt. Where I go there are still elk and no people durring the rut. There are lots of elk and tons of access in the breaks but the first time I drove past them I said to myself "This does not look like elk country." It took an early morning with my spotting scope to prove otherwise. I am bulding rifle points for the beaks, but I dont and wont go there with a bow. I think so many go there because so many elk near yellowstone have been displaced and because some magazines have talked about them.

 

[WillPower]

NWH,

I know we have exchanged a few messages, but thought I would reply to your thread and maybe some of the more experienced "breaks hunters" will chime in. Here is my historical perspective on the "breaks" and this is both from my own experience and my boy in Havre "Rocky" who is one heck of a "breaks" elk hunter, the best out there in this country and one good dude. Anyhow, me and my bro first stepped into thebreaks country in 02' and we had the same reaction as Stubaby, how can this be elk country............suspect you will too.......after running into alot of hunters and some decent elk, we learned from the locals that when Chuck Adams killed his world record at the time, some where around 00' or 01', it was reported to have come out of the public land on the "Breaks" and as a result the hunters exploded in 410 and I mean exploded. We ended up in the "breaks" due to a biologist out of Bozeman and not the Adams hoopla. So, we hunted there from 02 trough 05, drawing like no problem. My bro dropped out in 04 and said no more. Anyhow, there are some big bulls in the "Breaks" and the reason to hunt there is for bone not quality. The quality of the hunt will not be high, but you may see some big bulls. It is hard to get away from the roads as they are through out the unit. You really just can't get that far away from the roads. Also, over the past few years, it is my understanding that they have increased the cow tags and taken out alot of elk over the past few years. This, I have been told has brought the elk numbers down, but suspect there are still some big bulls around. Anyhow, it is a interesting place to hunt, there will be less people this year due to the draw and think bone, not quality. We have since switched to wilderness hunts and will be going back to New Mexico this year. I personally like hunting Montana and will hunt the breaks again some day, but it is a whole different deal than the high country experience. I will PM you another resource to contact. Anyhow, this is my NR perspective, there are others who know more than me and perhaps they will share. Good luck, stay positive and hunt hard. Good luck.

WillPower

"My only regret in life is setting my goals too low"

 

[ibow4it2]

Hey!!! It's my first posting. I have been on the website many a times reading the various posts and stories....What a way to spend the off season. I too have drawn a non-resident permit for the unit. I do not have that much knowledge/information on the Breaks. It sounds as if the elk probably won't be talking much during the day. Has anyone ever tried the Dutton decoys up there. It is about a 10 hour drive from the house, so scouting is out of the question. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

ibow4it2

 

[nezzy]

We hunt 410-417, it's the same area that Chuck Adams shot his bull in. All the reports we've have received is that the Elk are moving more towards Fort Peck Res, and we have seen a decline in the last 4 yrs, and the draw is more difficult. No luck with the draw this year. Hunted public land and took a nice 330" 6x6 year before last. We have seen some huge bulls. Cabels is buying a lot of land and cutting off a bunch of access where we hunt.

 

[Dikndirt]

If possible try to figure out a way to access unit by water, [missouri river] This eliminates private land issues and gumbo clay roads. Elk like to come to river at night to water and will sometimes stay on islands. A boat allows access to islands. My best experience was to hunt from river up the breaks at daylight either catching elk on the move to bedding areas or ambushing from blinds as they moved into the thickest cover to bed for the day. Jetboats work best as they negotiate the shallow water better than prop boats. Hunting the breaks is a unique elk hunt, be flexible and adapt to the situation. Keep at it and you should get a shot at a decent bull!

 

[ibow4it2]

Dikndirt, you talk about private land. Is there alot? I have also heard that the roads are nasty when it rains. You say to hunt from the river up to the breaks. How far is that? I have been looking at Google Earth just trying to get a sense of what I'm up against. Looks pretty open. I will have access to a blind as well if I can locate a wallow or spring or something that might look productive to use it on. I am not looking for anyones secret hunting spot, but is there a good place to start my hunt. I am not looking for a monster bull just a good respectable archery bull.

Chris

 

[Dikndirt]

I have never been concerned with private land as I have always hunted from the river up. Generally speaking it is about 4-5 miles from the river to the top of the breaks where the access roads are. The elk can usually be found about halfway in between. I never found much in the way of springs and wallows. Most elk use river or stock tanks on top of breaks. The country is quite open but look for the thick cedar and brush pockets that are shaded and cooler thats where the elk like to rest and bed.

 

[Bonez]

And don't forget to look in the juniper bushes. I've walked up on bulls sitting smack in the middle of em. It is open country but they can dissapear just as easy.

Like what has been said. Figure out the travel routes and ambush em.

The other option is hunt the willows. This would be a new experience for the majority of elk hunters. You could be 5 feet from elk and not be able to get a shot. But in some areas can be thick with elk.