unit 680 and 690 rifle either sex?

R

RUTTNBUCKS

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I spend most all of my time hunting the back country in search of the big bulls. A fifty year old friend of mine drew the coveted rifle tag for unit 680 and 690. I dont have any idea how to hunt that style and know there are several guys on here that know more than I do. Its no different than if someone asked for pointers on hunting unit 270 for the big mule deer, I would be more than happy to share some knowledge. Do the elk hang mostly in the southeast by fort peck? Are they on private? Is there alot of block management etc. He is by far not a trophy hunter he would like to shoot a bull and would tip over even for a six point. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Guys.
 
That's a good draw. 300 cow permits and 30 either sex. Not that many archery permits either?
Must be working on growing some big bulls.
690 has the Bear Paw Mountains, nice country but private. Bear Paws are not known for Elk production.
Most of the Elk are going to be in the rough country by the river. Cow Creek area would be a good place to scout.
I got lucky and drew the either sex for areas 621, 620 and 622. I expect the elk in my area to be scattered even miles into the sage hills. Hunting pressure will get those Breaks elk moving. With 300 cow permits and the deer hunters, there will be pressure.
 
This unit is west of Fort Peck and north of the river. It is comprised almost entirely of private land, with the exception of the country around Cow creek as mentioned, however, the best and one of the only ways to access that area is thorugh private land that I believe is now locked up. There is some block management, but a lot of people go there. Otherwise, unless you know someone it's tough. Why did your fiend put in there if he doens't have any dea where to go?
 
Alot the same reason I put in for the Elkhorns, You might as well put in for somewhere. You dont expect to draw any of these units but if you do it should be a good time. I hope he makes the most of his opportunity to hunt a prime area. I know how it is, no one wants to share any info especially to a complete stranger, it takes alot of hard work learning an area and trust me I know the expense involved. But any info would be appreciated and I personally will not forget any help for future refurance.
 
TOUGH huntin you dont have access,if he can afford it go with an outfitter/rancher.
 
Yeah, I guess you may as well put in for it, but honestly, I guess the way I see it is.... if I can't do the hunt justice, in an area like this, then I wouldn't apply, that's just me. I will admit I'm a little jealous/irritated that I can't ever get a permit and have to look at those bulls year in and year out. And then hear of someone who draws and would just be happy shooting a 6x6 bull, but everyone to there own.

There are not alot of outfiters in that area, only one that would be worth it, if he wanted to go that route.

Anyway, good luck with your hunt...post pics when your buddy gets one.
 
I feel the same way about the 270 or 261 buck tags. I cant tell you how many 150 to 160 class bucks I see come out of there, where I wouldnt settle for anything less than a high 180s to 190s but would hunt hard for a 200+ buck. Do you think I could draw that tag? No. And dont expect I will either. I dont want to see him settle for anything less than what I know he can get in the back yard. So I will be pushing him to make the most of this opportunity.
 
I appreciate all the info so far. We have got maps for all of 680 and 690 and it looks like alot of country. Most of which is private land. It seems to me that most all the public land has roads all over the place! Im use to finding the country with the tuffest access and for example cow creek which seems to be some of the best looking has alot of roads running around and through it. So, my question is, are all the roads open or are they closed? I have calls in to the local authorities but have not heard back. For example ervin ridge rd runs right through some prime looking ground, is that road open? Once again any help would be appreciated.. Thanks, Tim
 
Some of them were or are marked closed but that doesnt stop 90% of the people out there from driving them.Its a tough place to find some privacy on the little public land there is.
 
Those roads that follow the ridges are usually open.
There will be places you can get a mile or so away from the 2 tracks probably not much more.
Seems to me in the BLM land, if there's some sort of a trail, there will be 4 wheelers using it.
One thing about it, the elk seem to be always on the move.
And for sure, most of the elk will be killed by people using those trails. Road hunting, not many will pack elk of the holes.
 
So it is going to be tuff to find a place where you wont see people driving? That is one thing about hunting around home there are roads everywhere but if you can find a spot that requires walking about four miles you can find some quality hunting. So that is what I was looking for in the breaks, but it seems like it will be hard to get to far off the roads. If there is one thing I hate it is hiking all morning before light to get to a spot and to have someone drive where there are not suppose to right past you smiling from ear to ear.
 
Heres the short answer, the public land is going to get hunted hard by elk and deer hunters. There will be ATV's in places they shouldnt be, and any driveable road will have people, its just a fact. Unlike other areas, 2-4 miles hiking in there isnt that big of a deal.

The areas you're asking about were hit pretty hard when I hunted there 10-15 years ago, I can only imagine its worse now.

Plus, the best bulls in that unit will not come from the breaks, I can promise you.

Take my advice in the PM I sent...

Dont make easy $hit difficult.
 
my advise is keep doing your research! Alot of those access roads are private and closed. u will recieve an automatic ticket on these roads. there is a ton of outfitter leased land in these zones. After they get chased around most end up on the leased land. ps. access on ur road going through prime ground will result in a ticket without permission.
 
Fact is, There are some dang good bulls hanging out in your area.
Access is going to be OK, do some preseason scouting.

That is REALLY a NICE draw.
Don't be discouraged, gonna be a lot of opportunities, work at it.

Remember, Elk are going to be going back and forth from 621 to 680.
 
Look to the right of the name of the user you want to send the PM to. Click on the small envelope and that should get R done for ya. I hope that helps.
 
Ervin Ridge is acessed by Private Land, Bullwhacker is accessed by private land, you can get to Cow Creek, sort of, via public land, but so can everyone else. Access has changed in the last few years, some for the better some for the worst. There are roads everywhere and people will be over the place, but it should move the elk and if I had a tag i would definetly make a trip down there. There are some huge bulls and if it were me, I would find a good spot, get a good GPS, and start walking. The animals, deer and elk, will just lay there and watch the road hunters drive right on by, and at times I swear they will not even cross the roads but rather parallel them so you can't even see tracks.
 
I drew the archery tag in same area. I just got back from spending 3 days up there and all I can say is 94 degree weather tends to limit day time activity. I saw 1 old elk track in timber by cow creek and saw no elk, fair number of mulies and more antelope than I expected after this winter. On PLWA site I saw Bullwacker is still legally closed but it obviously gets alot of traffic. At this point I'm a little worried about how hunt will go. I've hunted 410, 631 and 632 in past and agree the elk will hole up close to the roads at times and get overlooked. I am hoping to be able to hunt elk rather than compete with other hunters and stress over property boundaries. Maybe I can finally get my first Montana elk after 37 seasons. Good luck!
 
I would invest in a gramin GPS and property owner software if already havnt,those boundrys are watched closely and you better pay close attention in that area,its easy to spot something and not realize you have to cross a thin strip of private in the way.The GPS software will let you know exactly where you can hunt.
 
I have an oregon gps with chip so am covered. That's the kind of thing I didn't want to hear though. Hasseling with property lines is the kind of thing that might make this my last hunting season. Hopefully, I'll find someplace with elk that since there are only 20 tags won't be too crowded and I can just enjoy hunting for once. Thanks for help.
 
Thats why you do your RESEARCH before you apply for the tag not after you have drawn it....if you dont want to mess with private property lines you picked the worst area in the breaks to apply in.
 
Exactly! In this area it's who you know in order to get access. If you're a local it definetly helps, but a person should still be able to get into the elk without too much difficulty.
 
wow. You would be better just hunting a OTC unit. Hunting shoulden't be who you know and how much money you have in your pocket to harvest an elk. The state own's the elk, not some rancher. I hate the fact that every year private land owner's seem to harvest the biggest game and call it "fair chaise". Privite land bull's should be scored and put into the same record's as the high fenced elk do. i have my OTC tag and already found me a good bull, he look's like a 320" maybe 330". Going 2 be hunting him and if i don't shoot him, it's not a big deal. Hunting is suppost 2 be the time spent outdoor's, cooking steak's, drinking a cold one and watching the sunset while hearing bugles. Just my 2 cent's..
 
wow. You would be better just hunting a OTC unit. Hunting shouldn't be who you know and how much money you have in your pocket to harvest an elk. The state owns the elk, not some rancher. I hate the fact that every year private land owner's seem to harvest the biggest game and call it "fair chaise". Private land bulls should be scored and put into the same records as the high fenced elk do. I have my OTC tag and already found me a good bull; he looks like a 320" maybe 330". Going 2 be hunting him and if I don't shoot him, it's not a big deal. Hunting is supposed 2 be the time spent outdoor's, cooking steaks, drinking a cold one and watching the sunset while hearing bugles. Just my 2 cent's..
 
Hunting should be who you know, when it comes to private land, it has nothing to do with a pocket book. That has been the demise of a lot of private property because it's alot easier to open your pocket book than taking the time to get to know a person. What I meant by my previuos post is just don't show up and expect some private landowners to let you hunt. Take the time to get to know them, maybe befriend them and they will allow you to hunt. Don't show up at 5:00 am in the morning and ring a doorbell, expecting to get access to hunt, and then never speak to the landowner again until next hunting season. Talk about the impression of using someone. To me, the fact that some private landowner trusts me enough, or even invites me, to hunt their property is almost more gratifying than harvesting and animal.
Anyway, good luck with your elk hunt.
 

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