Deer/Elk combo S of Bozeman 2008

[cheeseheadinOHIO]

I have a friend who offered his home to me to stay while hunting. He lives just south of Bozeman off 191 in the Gallatin NF. I see the best chance for drawing is the deer/elk combo for NR, about 60%. Haven't decided to go or not. Can anyone tell me about that area? Are my chances better for elk or deer? What about grizzleys? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[worldking]

Hey Cheese,

I lived in Bozeman for the last three years. The elk herd is ok, not a ton of huge bulls there or anything. There are nice bulls to the south, of course, but chances are you will have to hunt pretty hard for them. The deer herd isn't the best quality in that area. You can expect running into a small 3 or 4 point and not a whole lot bigger. I would say since you have a free place to stay this would be a decent hunt. Expect a decent 5 point a small buck mule deer. Definitely not the best place to go in Montana, but you should have a nice hunt. I wouldn't be too concerned about grizzlies either. I have never run into one in that area. There is a chance of course, but highly unlikely. Black bears would definitely be more likely to run into, but not too much worry there.

Hope this helps,

Matt

 

[txhunter58]

And since the combo season is so long, you have to decide when to go. That is always the big question, get there early and try and get one before they go to their hidey holes, or come late and hope for snow. Also, the last part of the season the mulies start to rut.

And, if you can afford it, you can go to the first part of the season, go home and then go back and hunt the last part too! The tag is good for the entire season.

In fact, you could go bowhunt, then go back for the first part of the rifle season, and then for the last of the season, until you fill your tag.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)