>
LAST EDITED ON Jun-01-12
>AT 09:38?AM (MST)
>
>The problem with Montana is that
>the really good elk hunting
>on public ground will take
>a limited entry tag and
>since Montana does bonus points
>instead of preference points you
>can't really plan on when
>you'll draw a good tag.
> Finding a private ranch
>with access would be your
>best bet, but beware...you want
>a ranch that limits access.
> If the ranch lets
>everyone hunt it, it'll probably
>be no better than public.
> Now some residents I
>know get their deer and
>elk every year on public,
>but they have years of
>experience hunting the same areas.
> That's another option for
>you if you'd be willing
>to hunt Montana every year
>or every other year.
>I'm a nonresident, but I've
>been hunting the same ranch
>since 1992 off and on
>and it doesn't matter if
>the rancher limits access or
>has it wide open...I can
>kill on it because I
>know it better than any
>other hunter hunting it.
>Good luck. Narrow it
>down to a specific area
>to concentrate on, talk to
>the biologist, and game warden
>for the area, then ask
>us a more specific question
>that shows you have done
>your homework. Even shoot
>me a PM and I'll
>try to help after that.
> Depending on the effort
>you put in, Montana can
>be the best or worst
>hunting you've ever had...good luck.
>
There's an absurd amount of big elk killed in general units on public land every year. Your chances are lower than the special permit areas, but if you're willing to work a little you'll get in to elk.
While working this year, I pointed two guys from WA to where I had seen a herd of cows hanging out on public land in region 2. They came back in to town that night with a six point bull loaded whole in the back of their truck. The next day I killed a 150 inch whitetail on public land in the NW part of the state.
Feel free to lease land or wait for a permit, but there's really no reason to.
Buzz, send me coordinates and I'll go look for sheds and scout that spot, I'll let you know if it's worth hunting this year