Montana

MADMAX · Aug 13, 2009

was drawn to hunt MT this year, I have never hunted it.
I have done some research online and have been out and about a little around the Helena area when my folks lived there, I'm not asking for anything other than some info, unless someone wants to trade access for a salmon or bottom fishing trip in Washington out near Neah Bay.
I'm respectful of landowners and not a slob or road hunter.
I'd have one other guy going with me, we both are Federal employees at one of the local military bases and have been hunting for over 30 years each.
I am looking for some guidance or access to hunt elk and deer around the town of Darby.
We are also thinking of eastern MT for Mule deer.
We plan on hunting the bow season end of Sept and then if unsuccessful rifle the end of Oct and if still needed thanksgiving week.
Thanks for the read

Abomb · Aug 13, 2009

Two words. Block Management. Montana has the BEST hunter access program. You can go onto the DFWP website and order 5 maps at a time per day. Get a bunch of maps for your area and go burn some fuel and glass. That area has a ton of BMA and real good stuff to boot as does Eastern Montana. I hunted a lot of BMA with excellent results when I lived there. I still have a well organized three ring binder 3 inches thick of BMA maps and info.

Huntnup · Aug 13, 2009

Yep Block management...check early. On some of them you might need to make reservations to get on.

Have fun..

MADMAX · Aug 13, 2009

Thanks guys I am waiting to order maps tomorrow

RockyDog · Aug 13, 2009

I am curious what made you want to go around Darby? If you do a quick search on elk herds in the bitterroot you will find some recent articles on how bad the elk numbers have dropped. It is due to the wolves and due to an FWP biologist who created cow seasons that eradicated our elk (he is gone now thank goodness). There are also several threads on the bowsite.com about the badly hurting bitterroot elk population. I am from the Darby area. Although there used to be decent elk hunting here, the last few years it has become absolutely terrible.

MADMAX · Aug 14, 2009

I am open to anywhere in MT, the only reason I am going there is the guy I hunt with has a friend with some property there, so its a starting point.
I'm excited about hunting MT but understand the wolf problem and will adjust accordingly