Montana Units 630 and 631

bigjake · Jul 25, 2010

Hey guys, I posted this on the General Elk forum last week and the only response I got was about hiring a town drunk as a guide. Any help would be appreciated.

I drew an archery elk tag for unit 631 in Montana. I applied for the area because I will be hunting whitetail on the Milk River outside of Glaskow in November. Trouble is I don't know where the elk hang out, and could use some advice. I plan on spending 5 days the last week of September and then another weekend in October if needed. I will be able to make it up there for one scouting trip between now and the start of the hunt. The research I have done so far has taught me the area is a nightmare when the roads are wet and that a lot of people like accessing the area from the resovoir. Is that a good idea, bad idea...? I enjoy the challenge of self guided hunts, but I'm not completely opposed to some semi-guided stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Edpre · Jul 26, 2010

Never hunted 630 / 631, but I did hunt 622, so I can give you a little help. First, you are right about the mud - if it rains stay out. I spent two days on the roadside 1/2 way in - 1/2 way from pave and walking was just as bad since you had to clean 12 pounds of gumbo off your boots every three steps. Chains would not help- they'd probably only make the mud stick to the tires and fill the wheelwells and bust the truck. On the flipside, there were really good numbers of elk and a few nice ones in the 320 - 360 range. I was there late archery, so they were pretty skittish, but I think they'd be better responsive early/mid season. We accessed from the lake which was really nice and didn't bump into another hunter for the three days we spent there. Looks like 631 has alot of roads so the boat route is a toss-up. If you've hunted elk a bit, know how to call and not afraid to put alot of wear on your boots you'd probably have a good DIY, as long as you figure out early that the hunting is a bit different than hunting in mountains/timber. If you don't have alot of elk experience, hire a guide. The breaks hold some slammers - it'd be worth spending the $ on that tag.

Just my $.02

edpre

bigjake · Jul 26, 2010

thanks edpre, that is very helpful. did you find more hunters the farther you got from the lake? Looks like 622 has fewer roads than 631 so I am wondering if hunting from the lake like you did is the way to go for avoiding crowds.

Thanks again for your help.

P.S. did you end up taking a bull on your hunt?

Edpre · Jul 27, 2010

I didn't cross paths with any other hunters. Only saw 2 other guys at campground - they were leaving when we pulled in. Spent the time from lakeshore to about a mile inland, max. Did not take a bull, but had a few close encounters. Had 5 or 6 nice six points under 200 yds from us, with one really nice bull that had to be 350-360. They were pretty call-shy (either that or I suck at calling), but it was the last few days of archery and I think they get pressured pretty hard. With a few more days I think I would have been able to release an arrow. Pulled out and tagged a decent lope. Call CMR and find out which roads are open (maybe all, some or none) when you're there- that might make your choices more clear. Or look at maps at http://www.fws.gov/cmr/CMRmaps.html.

edpre

bigjake · Jul 28, 2010

thanks again, this info is very helpful.

adubs · Jul 30, 2010

big jake,

I also drew a tag for this unit along with my 2 brothers and dad. When are you planning on hunting it?? We ordered maps and I've spent some time on google earth looking at the units...it's definetly different elk hunting compared to northern New Mexico or Colorado (states I've hunted in the past few years) according to everyone I talk to.

Good luck,

Adubs

bigjake · Aug 1, 2010

pm sent

NeMont · Aug 2, 2010

630/631 are not secret. Lots of hunters in the accessible areas. The elk are where you find them. Sounds stupid but I have seen elk standing in the middle of the prairie without a tree within 15 miles and have seen them crowded around the lake as well.

The guys who are successful around here find wallows and trails. They almost all are flexible as to how they access some days by boat some days by vehicle. It just depends.

The advice of wet roads is accurate. They can become impassable very quickly. It could also be 90 degrees plus in Sept as well. You have to have a plan of how you are going to get your animal taken care of quickly.

Nemont

bigjake · Aug 3, 2010

thanks NeMont-if you had the choice would you spend most of your time when the hunt opens or later in September?

oldbuck · Aug 10, 2010

I will be going to this unit also with my son, who has posted on this thread, (adubs). Does anyone know if there is cell phone service out of this area? If not how far would one have to go to get service?

NeMont · Aug 10, 2010

Cell service comes and goes. Don't depend on it as there are areas that have no service.

You can get on top of hill and maybe get services.

Nemont

oldbuck · Aug 31, 2010

Does anyone have any experience with Treasure Trail Processing in Glasgow? Pro or con comments? We are coming in to hunt and
with the warm weather, we would like to know of a reliable meat processor in the Glasgow/Ft. Peck area. Any help would be apreciated.

OB

mywifeishotterthentiffany · Sep 2, 2010

I have taken deer and elk there and they did a good job. The only thing I didn't like was there were deer and elk laying (on the floor)all over the place. I will probably try them again this year on my elk. I have a tag for 622 and have had good luck with cows there. I have taken most of my elk to A-S in Scobey MT and they are excellent but not very personable. I have also her great things about a butch in Jordan MT. I hope this helps.

"Let's keep things in perspective.I mean for Peet's sake there are kids in Africa that don't even hunt....hello" Jimmy Big Time

Edpre · Sep 3, 2010

I also used the butcher in Jordan for a few deer. He did a good job. Been a few years and I can't remember his name, but I'm pretty sure there's only one.

Shotgun59 · Sep 5, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Sep-05-10 AT 07:21PM (MST)[p]Thats Ryan's Grocery in Jordan..The only place I have ever been that had my deer ready the next morning,around $85. I dont know of any butcher anywhere that has overnight service.

oldbuck · Sep 5, 2010

Thaks for the information guys! Heres hoping we will need their services soon

OB

adubs · Aug 10, 2012

just wondering if anyone else is archery hunting these units again this year. We drew this tag in 2010 and again this year and are really looking forward to getting back. We'll be out there Sept 13th-21st chasing bulls!

Whats the moisture been like this year? Population seem up from last year? I heard the sweet clover was crazy last year and made hunting a little more difficult...

good luck to anyone else hunting the breaks this year!

Adubs