Ok I've got a "problem". My wife told me since I'm a terrible hunter and haven't filled any part of my NR combo tag in Montana, that we should make one more trip over the Thanksgiving week. Best wife ever. So I guess my "problem" is which animal do I focus on? The time of year would say possibly late rutting deer. But I really would like some elk meat. I know this is quite the pickle to be in. Thought I'd ask the good folks HT what would you do? Elk? Deer? Or just be opportunistic? We'll be staying in Butte for 5 days. Going to get lots of miles in and hopefully rustle up an animal. Thanks for the help with my "problem".
1st world problem. To hunt deer or elk.
- Thread starter bennirio
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Salmonchaser
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Well I just got home from Mt., Rut hadn’t started yet, I’m betting by Thanksgiving it will be in full swing. Might turn into a great combo weekend.
That's an elite-level humble-brag. It takes a really good husband to have a wife who does that.
4ohSick
Well-known member
I'm with JLS, I'd focus on elk and odds aren't bad you'll have a chance at a deer along the way. Several of the HD's in that area are general deer units. Alot better chance of stumbling along a buck when you're elk hunting than the other way around.
That time of the year there's a lot of elk and mule deer overlap. The deer will be rutting, but less people will be chasing elk. Either way it'll be fun!
Talk2elk
Active member
Around here you are likely to be able to hunt both with a higher probability of seeing deer as they share some of the same range. Without some serious weather elk are going to be tough right now.
Thanks. A week or so ago I was near Dillon and the only bulls we saw were in the thick thick stuff or on private. So here's wishing for some serious weather.
buck137
Member
The game warden for this area, told me that the elk are at a five year low for this valley, and according to my game cameras I run, I concur with him. Yeah, there is elk on the prison ranch, but they're staying in the spots you can't rifle hunt, and the spots you can, well, there is a lot of hunters this year, which leads me to another thing the warden said, he stated that the elk are low in numbers, but the amount of out of the area hunters, are at 2x to 3x more than normal.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
I'd rather be in elk country than a 5 star hotel on the French Riviera...
Good to know. Haven't been there this year, was planning this weekend but emergency appendix and gallbladder removal just ended my season.
SilverDollars
Active member
Howdy. Well this is one of those times where I say "BOTH"! Be opportunistic! This option leaves the door open to more possibilities.
I don't know about you guys. But when I elk hunt I see all kinds of Mulies. When I hunt the Mule deer, I see all kinds of elk. GO FIGURE!
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Silver15tacoma
Active member
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Definitely elk!
It will likely be a very difficult hunt with the current mild weather and hunting pressure for the last 10 weeks. It will be great hiking weather, and be sure to take your wife to the Fairmont hot springs. Please report back on how your trip was and how many deer/elk you seen.
I agree. I'm kinda hoping to get lucky. This will be my 3rd trip to Montana this year. 3rd times the charm right? We'll check the hot springs out as well, thanks. I appreciate all the advice/tips and words of encouragement. I will report back hopefully with a kill but a report nonetheless.
