H
HerbD
Guest
What areas do you expect to hunt? Given luck of the draw, I hope to be in 322, 326, 329, and 331.
G
GrizzlyHunter
Guest
I applied for my first time. I guess I'll figure out where to hunt if I get a tag.
M
McKinney
Guest
Put in for a Combo Tag. I haven't nailed down the exact unit and area yet.
McKinney aka Hiker
Proverbs 3:5-6
McKinney aka Hiker
Proverbs 3:5-6
PleaseDear
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 10,433
I'm in for the Combo....
We should find out before the Mont. Ram deadline to apply. If I draw my Combo then I am going for Unlimited Ram unit and hunting all in that Unlimited Ram tag unit.
We should find out before the Mont. Ram deadline to apply. If I draw my Combo then I am going for Unlimited Ram unit and hunting all in that Unlimited Ram tag unit.
G
GrizzlyHunter
Guest
This was my first app for MT and the procedures are not entirely clear in my mind so I have a question. We're basically applying for a general tag at this point correct? If we're drawn then we we be able to hunt certain areas, and then we would be eligble to apply for a tag in limited entry areas? Is my understanding correct
Thanx!
GH
Thanx!
GH
Bambistew
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,959
GH, yes you are correct. The special elk/deer/lope permits are due the 1st of June.
With a General tag you can hunt most of the state for deer both archery and rifle, with general elk, you can hunt most all the state archery, but for rifle mostly just the western half.
Good luck to ya in the draw! I applied too, if I draw I'll be in my old stomping grounds in a certain 300 unit...
If not... I'll probalby be muzzy hunting big deer in CO! Kind of a tough decision for me... I'd like to do both, but really can't swing it.
With a General tag you can hunt most of the state for deer both archery and rifle, with general elk, you can hunt most all the state archery, but for rifle mostly just the western half.
Good luck to ya in the draw! I applied too, if I draw I'll be in my old stomping grounds in a certain 300 unit...
If not... I'll probalby be muzzy hunting big deer in CO! Kind of a tough decision for me... I'd like to do both, but really can't swing it.
W
wjt
Guest
my son and I put in for combo. I have drawn the last 5 years so I might have used up all my luck. Usually hunt big hole area but thought about CMR Breaks archery. A lot of elk, but a lot of hunters also. Trying to decide to go 1st week and chase them before they get spooked and move into the nasty stuff or wait for the rut is strong the 1st week in Oct. and pack in. Any suggestions on time. Of course we will put in for the rifle season draw (fat chance). Success ratio in archery is about 5%, but I want to try something different
J
JohnnyLegend
Guest
We put in for Montana again this year and will do so in a few other states. Been drawn four years in a row, so my luck might run out this year too. We been archery hunting the "breaks" and have had some decent success. The best time based on my experience is September 23-30, rut wise. Been there in early October twice and it was still good, except last year. Rained like crazy and the place turned into a god awful mudhole. I hunted Montana alone last year and I got stuck 10-miles from my camp and had to sleep in my suv for three nights. The forecast was 50% rain, so I did take some food, water and my sleeping bag. It was hard hunting with 10 lbs of clay stuck on your boots! Also, they have cranked up the rifle cow tags and are killing more than double historical rates there, this being the 2nd year of this program. I did see alot less elk last year and there will be even less elk this year, but still some big bulls running around the CMR. We went 2 for 4 on elk in archery 2004 hunting between September 23-30. We put in for NM and will put in for AZ, so will have to see what we draw, if any. Will go to OR if no draw. Good luck with the draw and the upcoming season.
JL
JL
G
GrizlyHunter
Guest
Bambistew,
I only applied for the general elk, not the combo. Maybe I screwed up. Please enlighten me on why it appears that most of you did the combo thing. Personally I am much more interested in an elk than a deer.
thanx!
GH
I only applied for the general elk, not the combo. Maybe I screwed up. Please enlighten me on why it appears that most of you did the combo thing. Personally I am much more interested in an elk than a deer.
thanx!
GH
J
JohnnyLegend
Guest
Bambistew knows more about MT than I cause he is from there. But, mainly the big combo makes sense from a economic perspective. For only about $50 more than the elk tag, one can get both deer and elk on the big game combo. I don't have the regs in fornt of me, but the difference is marginal, maybe a tad more than $50 buck. Good news if you draw, you can focus on that elk completely and hopeful take a big one. Good luck.
JL
JL
G
GrizlyHunter
Guest
JL,
I thank you AGAIN! (Can you tell it's my first time for applying for elk in MT yet?)
Good luck to you also!
GH
I thank you AGAIN! (Can you tell it's my first time for applying for elk in MT yet?)
Good luck to you also!
GH
H
HerbD
Guest
JohnnyLegend,
Quite an adventure you had getting stuck in Montana for 3 days. Why were you stuck? No mud chains? How did you ever manage to get out?
When I was there it was freezing cold with snow and getting stuck for 3 days probably would have meant freezing to death as one hunter did around Centennial Valley that year.
Quite an adventure you had getting stuck in Montana for 3 days. Why were you stuck? No mud chains? How did you ever manage to get out?
When I was there it was freezing cold with snow and getting stuck for 3 days probably would have meant freezing to death as one hunter did around Centennial Valley that year.
ismith
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,307
HerbD,
When it rains in Eastern Montana the dirt roads turn into a substance called "gumbo". You really cant do anything but wait for it to dry up some to get out. Im pretty sure chains wouldnt help you. Nothing to winch onto unless you bring it yourself.
Irl
When it rains in Eastern Montana the dirt roads turn into a substance called "gumbo". You really cant do anything but wait for it to dry up some to get out. Im pretty sure chains wouldnt help you. Nothing to winch onto unless you bring it yourself.
Irl
Bambistew
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,959
I apply for the combo because I have friends and family that own land there. If I draw I'll most likely be going back over Thanksgiving week to visit with the family and fill what ever tags I have left over from archery season. The area where I hunt elk has a pretty decent number of deer too, so if I run into a decent buck, he'll surely get an arrow if I get the chance. Its not that much more for the deer like someone said... I like to keep my options open. ;-)
I missed last year hunting MT all together. First year in 15 and was really bummed out. The year before I lost a really nice bull, he was hit pretty well and bled out way to much for him to have survived. We looked for three days to no avail. That third week of September was the most miserable week of hunting I've ever endured. I spent more days wet than dry... The elk hunting was pretty good though!
I missed last year hunting MT all together. First year in 15 and was really bummed out. The year before I lost a really nice bull, he was hit pretty well and bled out way to much for him to have survived. We looked for three days to no avail. That third week of September was the most miserable week of hunting I've ever endured. I spent more days wet than dry... The elk hunting was pretty good though!
J
JohnnyLegend
Guest
HerD,
I was on the "Breaks" during first week in October when I got stuck. It rained and snowed like crazy, more than I had ever experienced in this region in the past. As the other person poseted, when it rains in this area, the mud turns into gumbo. Not only is it slick, but it will gum up between your tires and fenders and stop your vehicle. So, I played it safe and waited it out, being a little wiser now, I just stayed put since time was on my side. Usually, when it rains in this part in this country, the wind and sun dries the dirt roads up quickly, but it just kept raining........But, thats part of hunting and mother nature is going to get you sooner or later. Really, the worse part was trying to hunt with the mud stuck to your feet the whole way in and out. This tested my PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) a bit. Didn't have chains as usually during bow season they aren't needed, but none the less good to have.
Since I fly in to Montana, I travel and camp very light, so only the bare necessities. Really, the only thing I utlimately needed was gas and next time I will take some full gas cans. Had to buy some gas off a fellow from SW Montana on the way out. Didn't get a elk, drew on a nice 340ish the first day, but he started walking and never presented a second shot. Got in on a 280ish the last day, but I was 3.2 nautical miles (via GPS) from my vehicle and still fighting mud on the boots, so did not let the arrow fly. Then, spent the rest of the trip helping a guy get out who took his car in on the breaks, this turned into a another story, but I won't bore you with it.
Hope you draw whereever you applied and best of luck in 2006.
JL
I was on the "Breaks" during first week in October when I got stuck. It rained and snowed like crazy, more than I had ever experienced in this region in the past. As the other person poseted, when it rains in this area, the mud turns into gumbo. Not only is it slick, but it will gum up between your tires and fenders and stop your vehicle. So, I played it safe and waited it out, being a little wiser now, I just stayed put since time was on my side. Usually, when it rains in this part in this country, the wind and sun dries the dirt roads up quickly, but it just kept raining........But, thats part of hunting and mother nature is going to get you sooner or later. Really, the worse part was trying to hunt with the mud stuck to your feet the whole way in and out. This tested my PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) a bit. Didn't have chains as usually during bow season they aren't needed, but none the less good to have.
Since I fly in to Montana, I travel and camp very light, so only the bare necessities. Really, the only thing I utlimately needed was gas and next time I will take some full gas cans. Had to buy some gas off a fellow from SW Montana on the way out. Didn't get a elk, drew on a nice 340ish the first day, but he started walking and never presented a second shot. Got in on a 280ish the last day, but I was 3.2 nautical miles (via GPS) from my vehicle and still fighting mud on the boots, so did not let the arrow fly. Then, spent the rest of the trip helping a guy get out who took his car in on the breaks, this turned into a another story, but I won't bore you with it.
Hope you draw whereever you applied and best of luck in 2006.
JL
