Western MT Elk

[ORultramag]

New to Missoula area, I am going to be bow hunting for elk soon, and I was wondering if it normally better the last week of Sept. or the 1st week of Oct. as far as the rut goes? I know every year is different, but I was looking for more of a general idea over years past.

 

[muleyman]

A friend of a friend of a friend told me the last week of Sept is going to be HOT!

Good luck to ya! (and the other two guys going with you

muleyman

 

[drahthaar]

Things are going crazy right now around Kalispell.

I came upon these two this weekend.

 

[huntn30inchers]

How do you like it so far? I just moved up and love it. I'm in the same boat I dont get to hunt but im going to try and get out and see if I can get a look at what Montana has to offer. Good luck on you hunt.

 

[dgwoody]

I had a job interview scheduled for up there with Selway Corp. I didn't make it up. Is it something I should reconsider? Somebody give me some advice here. It is still on my mind, how much do I need to make to live up there? What is the hunting like. Someone PLEASE help me out here.

 

[RockyDog]

selwaycorp is in stevi, your not missing much in the immediate area except superhigh house prices. The hunting around missoula and south of missoula sucks the big one, not sure if it is the insane hunter pressure or the wolves, or both.

 

[mtmuley]

RockyDog obviously hasn't hunted far enough South of Missoula. Or else he isn't doing it right. I take a bull most every year. When I haven't, it has been a cow with our new season rules. Selway is one of the highest paying corporations in he South Valley. Housing is high, but if you can live in a small fixer-upper, some things are still somewhat affordable. Trust me, the hunting doesn't suck. mtmuley

 

[RockyDog]

Ive been in the southern bitterroot for 34 years now. I admit it used to have some good elk and deer hunting about 10-15 yrs ago, it just plain isn't good anymore. I base this on my recent hunting experiences in other parts of Montana compared to what is happening here. I'm not sure what level of job at Selway corp you are looking at, but I have a friend who has been a welder for around 10 years at Selway. I think he makes a decent wage, but up until this year he lived in a camp trailer year long. Houses are high and they haven't dropped with the rest of the country, yet anyways. This guy would ask friends to let him park the trailer on their land. I see a lot of people come here for a 2-3 years and get slapped in the face with the reality of the cost of living, then they leave. If you have a good job maybe you could afford to live and drive to the other side of the state for better hunting. That's what I do. The ones still touting this as the dream place in Montana to live are usually the realtors, developers or others who somehow benefit from all the people moving here.

 

[mtmuley]

RockyDog, I still have to disagree with you about the hunting part of this. I was born in Shelby and raised in the Root since I was 4. I think the elk and especially deer hunting is the best it has ever been. Looked around at the mulies down here lately? Yeah, it is a hard draw, but so what? The deer quality is incredible. As far as elk, there are more here now than ever recorded. There are more people too, but all you have to do is change hunting tactics a bit. The housing costs here far outpace the average wage. It usually takes a two income family. That is the unfortunate side to all this growth. It is a love-hate thing for me as I am in the building trades. I was fortunate enough to nab 5 acres before prices got stupid. Then I built my house myself. Almost ALL of it. Still, it is hard. But the benefits far outweigh the negatives. mtmuley

 

[JCHawk]

I lived in Anaconda and was amazed at the price for a decent home. I truly dont't know how people aford to live in Montana it has become insane as far as land and home prices. We moved down to Colorado, 50% pay increase so I could not pass it up. I love Montana but making a living is tuff.

 

[RockyDog]

mtmuley, uh ok the bitterrfroot is the cat's a**. You and the hordes can have it. Interestingly I also had to build my own house to be able to afford to live here. Got 10 acres west of hamilton. Seems like most of us montannas have to do that to be able to afford to stay.

 

[mtmuley]

Hey RockyDog, No need to get nasty. If you can't kill an elk here that is YOUR problem. I have hunted this place since I was 12 years old. Last year I killed a bull over 300 inches on the East side. My best yet, but a bigger one was with him I didn't see till the shot was fired. I'll get him this year. I've taken 2 muley bucks over 170. Not monsters but quality animals. Sorry you are so unsuccessful around here. I am in no way saying the Root is the BEST hunting in Montana, but if you know the area you hunt, it ain't too bad. mtmuley

 

[RockyDog]

sorry i didnt intend to come across nasty. I just get frustrated with people who try to promote this valley to be something it is not. can i ask how many years youve hunted here to rack up those kills? a 300 bull is a nice bull for here today.

ive gotent about a 7 or 8 bulls in the 320-350 range, so i know a little about what good hunting is.

now lets stop hijacking this thread and say goodbye.

 

[mtmuley]

RockyDog, pm sent. mtmuley