WY/MT Elk Hunting

**Doober** · 04-15-2008, 09:41 AM

Me and some friends have been passing around the idea of going elk hunting in WY/MT some time in the future. We don't really know where to even start. Obviously getting in the lottery and getting a license is key, but where? Public lands, and elk populations would be nice to know. Also what kind of equipment to bring. We would be bow hunting most likely. We are all pretty hardcore hunters but mostly hunt deer, turkey, waterfowl and upland birds, but are basically elk hunting jongs. Any suggestions, tips, places to look for info, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

**montanagirl** · 04-15-2008, 10:32 AM

Hire a guide.

**AsheanMT** · 04-15-2008, 10:36 AM

Go to Wyoming. Montana sucks and there are no elk to be found anymore.

**skibuminwyo** · 04-15-2008, 10:40 AM

No elk around here anymore!!!! The WOLVES killed them ALL!!!!!! There aren't even deer left!!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING has been DESTROYED!!!!!!!!

**montanagirl** · 04-15-2008, 10:44 AM

Duh- Jackalope season! Out of state is only like $500 for a tag. Those little bastards, go get 'em!

[/QUOTE]

**yonskion** · 04-15-2008, 11:17 AM

Elk are just lying around on the ground if you know where to look.

I found this winter kill score's 380's. My wife makes me keep it in the garage. Killing animals for there horns is for JONGASS. I have found and sold 1000's lbs. of Elk antlers over the years. I have a private stash that has some 400+ Bull Elk Sheds Matched and Unmatched sets. I spent years walking around the remote corners of MT/WY and you should leave those Elk alone they have a hard enough life since the Wolves. Enjoy the backcounrty and respect other beings. If any Tourist Out of Staters that must shoot, eat it and take the mid-sized over populated Bulls leave the big ones... call MT/WY F.W.P. and ask about the special 1st time tourist Yellowstone Tags then you'll have a shot at a keeper

**Doober** · 04-15-2008, 11:25 AM

Wow, thanks for all the helpful info. I'm not looking to shoot a big bull, I just want to take some meat home for the freezer and enjoy a week in the wilderness chasing elk around. I refuse to go with a guide, I would rather learn things on my own, even if that means not harvesting an animal for several years

**CountryFunk** · 04-15-2008, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Doober

places to look for info, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Um, the internet, the library, books, videos, magazines, dept.'s of fish and game, RMEF.

Duh ... maybe start by typing "elk hunting" in a google search.

When you get up here be sure and ask the locals where all the good elk hunting spots are - they love that. Kinda like asking a stranger what their PIN is ...

**Peewee** · 04-15-2008, 02:53 PM

There are elk in all of the mountain ranges. It's just a matter of going and finding them. Keep in mind that if you go in the western part of WY you'll have to deal with grizz and wolves. I'd stay away from Medicine Bow National Forest unless you're only planning on archery hunting, because the damned Greenies and Cheyenne crowd plug the place up during rifle season.

As far as what you should bring, good optics and good boots are a must. If you're planning on doing some hiking a sturdy pack frame can come in handy too if you manage to shoot something. Also, I'd crank up the draw weight on your bow and shoot a little heaver broadheads if you're just set up for deer right now. Avoid mechanical broadheads- they won't work on elk. Beyond that your typical deer hunting gear should do.

**Sirshredalot** · 04-15-2008, 03:27 PM

Either use stock to get further into the backcountry or be prepared to hike like a beast. Get away from all the hunter pressure at the trailheads and ATV accessible places.

**mtsprings** · 04-15-2008, 04:19 PM

There are so many places to go and things to know.
Here is a place to start.
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/default.aspx

**rideit** · 04-15-2008, 07:14 PM

Furthermore, if you so much as THINK about using an ATV for any aspect of your hunt, at least thirty mags from all sides of the political spectrum will come slash your tires, bed your women, and liberate your kill.

And then beat the shit out of you in a truck stop in Rawlins.

That's my fantasy, anyhoo.

But as bowhunters, that's an unlikely scenario.

We all know bowhunters don't have girlfriends!

(I kiiid...)

**CountryFunk** · 04-16-2008, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by rideit

We all know bowhunters don't have girlfriends!

Maybe because of products like these?

**jbc28** · 04-16-2008, 08:14 AM

How common is chronic wasting disease in the elk out there?

**CountryFunk** · 04-16-2008, 08:55 AM

Not very, and/or we're all in denial. It's pretty scary shit if you think about it.

Here's the official line - http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/chronicwd.html

**yonskion** · 04-16-2008, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by rideit

Furthermore, if you so much as THINK about using an ATV for any aspect of your hunt, at least thirty mags from all sides of the political spectrum will come slash your tires, bed your women, and liberate your kill.

And then beat the shit out of you in a truck stop in Rawlins.

That's my fantasy, anyhoo.

But as bowhunters, that's an unlikely scenario.

We all know bowhunters don't have girlfriends!

(I kiiid...)

why do we need to wait and see if they ride ATV.... I call a beatdown on any out of area rifle hunting Jongass. Local Bowhunters enjoy your hunt, meat and memories...Everyone else is on notice. I know that some of you Mag's the people Obama was talking about... the "Bitter" ones will not like my views, but you need to go back to church and pray for a better Income. Stay home!!! out East or wherever you weak suace Flatlanders live and look at the pretty picture's in the Magazines read the article's and dream. What happens when the hunter is captured by the game?

**Lose Ur Name 456** · 04-16-2008, 10:05 AM

^^^
Spoken like a true enlightened Buddhist.

You are on your way to nirvana.

**yonskion** · 04-16-2008, 10:09 AM

Nirvana is not playing anymore or I would go.

**yonskion** · 04-16-2008, 12:58 PM

Anyone looking for a good time on opeing day of Elk hunting season. Something I've dreamed of doing. Somewhere in the Southern Madison Range maybe the Centennials, Rubys, Gallatins or Jardine, Mt...perhaps all at the same time by well trained teams.
Setting up "Elk Camp" with some buddies. Speading out over a couple of days before, spoting heards and watching the hunters scout space and shooting location. all the while moving above and watching. Spreading out over complete watersheds spacing out on ridges apart by miles to maximize our impact. then about 1/2 hour before dawn opening day...Air Horns, Bottle Rockets, Whisteling Peets, ect. The helpless hunter who has been setting up on an unsuspecting Trophy bull for 3 days watching waiting for his chance to kill it....will shit his paints the Elk will run and we will slip away in laughter and satisfaction of a job well done. Just a dream!! you will get shot if you get caught by a "Bitter" hunter who just spent $1000's on an outfitter & flying in for his hunt so just dreaming...LOL
I Kid you! I love Meat

**Cono Este** · 04-16-2008, 01:10 PM

Nothing more dangerous to wildlife than a jong bowhunter. Too many animals wearing arrows out the wild as it is.

**MakersTeleMark** · 04-16-2008, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by yonskion

Anyone looking for a good time on opeing day of Elk hunting season. Something I've dreamed of doing. Somewhere in the Southern Madison Range maybe the Centennials, Rubys, Gallatins or Jardine, Mt...perhaps all at the same time by well trained teams.
Setting up "Elk Camp" with some buddies. Speading out over a couple of days before, spoting heards and watching the hunters scout space and shooting location. all the while moving above and watching. Spreading out over complete watersheds spacing out on ridges apart by miles to maximize our impact. then about 1/2 hour before dawn opening day...Air Horns, Bottle Rockets, Whisteling Peets, ect. The helpless hunter who has been setting up on an unsuspecting Trophy bull for 3 days watching waiting for his chance to kill it....will shit his paints the Elk will run and we will slip away in laughter and satisfaction of a job well done. Just a dream!! you will get shot if you get caught by a "Bitter" hunter who just spent $1000's on an outfitter & flying in for his hunt so just dreaming...LOL
I Kid you! I love Meat

That is a crime.

For the OP, learn the gutless method and bone out all of your meat at the kill site.

**72Twenty** · 04-16-2008, 03:27 PM

We don't have Elk here, just really big Deer.

Try Colorado.

Actually, if you want to check into some areas, Saratoga, WY is a good place to start. They also have hot springs there - nice after spending days out in the mountains

. You just have to be careful because the mountains on both sides of the valley run into Colorado and you need to know where you are and where you are going. Obviously you want to be very careful about staying off private land.

edit:

Maybe give these guys a call:

http://www.wyconsafariinc.com/

**Doober** · 04-16-2008, 03:35 PM

I will not resort to using a guide. I don't care if that means years of not harvesting anything. I am there for the experience, the kill is just icing on the cake (and meat in the freezer). If I really just wanted to kill one, I would use a rifle, but I'm for sure using the bow.

**yonskion** · 04-16-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

That is a crime.

For the OP, learn the gutless method and bone out all of your meat at the kill site.

Is really a criminal act or just really bad karma.
Please post law.... harassment or molestation of wildlife would not work.... just curious about the crime part.

**72Twenty** · 04-16-2008, 04:18 PM

Well, I'm a fisherman, not a hunter, and I don't know that much about Montana... but if you want to just explore and get away, there are so many areas in Wyoming you can go to. It sounds to me like you really want to just get up in the mountains and see what you can see, while hunting at the same time. Virtually all the mountain areas in Wyoming that are not in a National Park would be great options. You might also look around in the northeast corner of Wyoming. It is not as mountainous and it is mostly private land, but there are also some big elk in those parts (near the Black Hills of South Dakota).