Good deer or elk unit for a father/son hunt.

bobby7321 · Jan 2, 2014

My buddy and I want to take our dads out for a hunt next fall. Montana is at the top of the list. I have points in most western states, but only put in for sheep and goat in MT. (so none of us have any points going into the MT draw)
Have never really done much research on the deer or elk units. The block management program seems like a great thing. Its just basically information overload. with all the different units and blocks in the program.

If anyone has some basic info or areas to look at to help us get things narrowed down, I would really appreciate it.

There would be at least four of us, hunting with rifles. two of us in our 30s and the old farts in their 60s

Not looking for big trophy quality. Mainly just a nice experience and some nice looking country to hunt with our dads. We'd be open to hiring packers to get us away from the roads if that were an option.

Anyways. Any advice you'd be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

muleyman · Jan 7, 2014

As an out of stater that's hunted this great state 4 different years I sadly say I probably won't be going back anytime soon. Our last trip was in 2012 for archery elk/deer and then back in Nov to hunt the rut for deer.

Now we hunted ranches that allowed trespassing with signing up before hand and also on a game range. The wolves are BAD and grizzly is getting worse. I've never seen so much wolf sign in all my life on our last trip!

Not to be a "Debbie Downer" but if you looking for a great camping trip then go to MT. We shot a couple smaller bucks in Nov and lost a nice 5X4 whitey during archery (due to a grizzly sow & 2 cubs).

I've had friends go with an outfitter that leases a couple ranches and they've had better luck...but for a price of course.

best of luck deciding what you're going to do!

muleyman

mnmthunting · Jan 9, 2014

One thing, You won't need points to get a NR Big Game Combination License. Wait until Oct if You like.
The elimination of the antlerless tags for much of the State should give You an idea of what's going on. Most of the better hunting areas are by special drawing. Or on locked up leased land.

Game populations in MT are being managed for the big carnivores.

mtmuley · Jan 9, 2014

Don't listen to the wolf hysteria BS. Lots of great elk hunting in Montana. I know, I LIVE here. mtmuley

mnmthunting · Jan 9, 2014

I did mention the locked up leased land.
There are still critters to hunt, fork out the bucks $$$$$$.

bobby7321 · Jan 9, 2014

thanks for all the info guys. So have there been left over combo tags the last few years? I put in for one I think 4 or 5 years ago and I thought the odds weren't 100%. Of course I know things have probably changed.

We are planning an early summer trip thru the state just to camp and check out some areas.

thanks again for the info.

mtmuley · Jan 9, 2014

Send me a pm when you narrow down where you want to hunt a bit. It's a big state. mtmuley

beech18 · Jan 10, 2014

+1. Montana is a great state.

mnmthunting · Jan 10, 2014

>thanks for all the info guys.
>So have there been left
>over combo tags the last
>few years? I put in
>for one I think 4
>or 5 years ago and
>I thought the odds weren't
>100%. Of course I know
>things have probably changed.
>
>We are planning an early summer
>trip thru the state just
>to camp and check out
>some areas.
>
>thanks again for the info.

This is a good plan, and a good start.

Carnage2011 · Jan 10, 2014

Montana has some great elk hunting. There are wolves here...big deal. Work hard and you can definitely find elk, and some nice ones at that. The eastern side of the state has descent deer numbers (they are down, but there are still plenty). Good luck on your hunt!

leonard · Jan 20, 2014

I'm kind of in the boat except I'm a first year resident. But I've hunted in Montana for five years since 95, all in different parts of the state. That was my first problem, stick with an area for several years. Some things that may help you narrow your search that I have used for past years and this upcoming fall. Look at the FWP website for harvest success for regions an individual hunt districts. Next look at public access in areas with good harvest numbers, not percentage. Most areas seem to be around 10-15% on elk and better on deer. Check topography and roads in the area you want to hunt. For me Im going to continue to hunt closer to home along the lower Clarks Fork even though elk numbers and harvest are lower than in Region 3 or 4. I figure my scouting and willing to hunt roadless areas in steep/thick terrain will pay off. Good luck in your search and enjoy the planning and hunt.