Montana Archery Elk Research?

[Hammsolo]

Hey All, I haven’t killed a bull since moving to WA, and my life getting nuts. Life is awesome now. Last year I took up archery again and chased elk a little bit. I have a ton to learn. I’m refocusing my draw efforts in MT to archery. I only have 4 bonus points, and really want to find a unit I can draw more routinely. I am researching, and have some ideas but know to follow the rule about mentioning unit numbers. Any advice would be deeply appreciated, and I’d even be willing to go hunting with someone. I killed 9 bulls before leaving MT, but it’s been ~20 years. Damn I’m getting old. I am in good shape, a hard hunter, and skilled in the rifle hunting world. Archery… I love to learn. Thanks, Nick

 

[Flatbrimmer]

Idk how bonus points or draw odds work here at all, the few I know that put in as NR always did the big game combo and haven’t been successful in 2 years after drawing in 2021…

Hope you draw!

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

My 2 cents would be apply for “swing for the fence units” then just hunt general units when you can draw it. In all honestly I’ve seen better bulls in some general units than in some of the limited entry I’ve been in over the last few years.

 

[ismith]

I hate to say it, but my super obsessed archery elk nut friends tell me Montana is on the decline in most limited draw areas, especially the breaks. 380 is still good though, good luck!

 

[EYJONAS!]

Hey All, I haven’t killed a bull since moving to WA, and my life getting nuts. Life is awesome now. Last year I took up archery again and chased elk a little bit. I have a ton to learn. I’m refocusing my draw efforts in MT to archery. I only have 4 bonus points, and really want to find a unit I can draw more routinely. I am researching, and have some ideas but know to follow the rule about mentioning unit numbers. Any advice would be deeply appreciated, and I’d even be willing to go hunting with someone. I killed 9 bulls before leaving MT, but it’s been ~20 years. Damn I’m getting old. I am in good shape, a hard hunter, and skilled in the rifle hunting world. Archery… I love to learn. Thanks, Nick

Why not go back to where you killed the 9 bulls from?

 

[wapiti406]

I hate to say it, but my super obsessed archery elk nut friends tell me Montana is on the decline in most limited draw areas, especially the breaks. 380 is still good though, good luck!

380 is good if you want to apply for 20 years with the hopes of killing a 320" bull. Easily the most overrated tag in the state, if not the US..

 

[Werty]

380 is good if you want to apply for 20 years with the hopes of killing a 320" bull. Easily the most overrated tag in the state, if not the US..

I agree with him!

 

[ismith]

380 is good if you want to apply for 20 years with the hopes of killing a 320" bull. Easily the most overrated tag in the state, if not the US..

Okay then all of the LE units suck than.

 

[cgasner1]

Okay then all of the LE units suck than.

Pretty much…. I’d check out Colorado

 

[Forkyfinder]

Honestly - LE areas in MT - especially targeting archery - aren't generally worth it. I have seen big bulls in general areas and limited areas and the pressure seems to be not a lot different. Put in for LE rifle in a good area, or hunt Wyoming.

Not saying that as a salty MT resident.

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

380 is good if you want to apply for 20 years with the hopes of killing a 320" bull. Easily the most overrated tag in the state, if not the US..

Lolz. Just out of curiosity. Have you ever hunted the unit?

 

[cgasner1]

Lolz. Just out of curiosity. Have you ever hunted the unit?

I know multiple guys that have drawn it and either ate the tag or killed a bull in a different unit prior to the new le rule

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

I know multiple guys that have drawn it and either ate the tag or killed a bull in a different unit prior to the new le rule

Huh interesting. I couldn’t imagine having that tag and going to hunt bulls in a general unit instead.

 

[Mountain Mule]

I know multiple guys that have drawn it and either ate the tag or killed a bull in a different unit prior to the new le rule

Sounds like they should've been hunting 380 harder if they harvested in other units

 

[cgasner1]

Sounds like they should've been hunting 380 harder if they harvested in other units

Idk I’ve heard some story from a few different people that have had the tag and a couple of them are killers.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Idk I’ve heard some story from a few different people that have had the tag and a couple of them are killers.

I wouldn't doubt it. I've heard of a couple poaching instances first hand this last season in 380 on bulls (yes, I contacted FWP). Apparently they didn't know it was a special draw.

Just had to give you a little crap. If I drew a tag such as 380 or another coveted tag, I'd be hunting that unit all the way through season. It's not often you can get after it in that country.

 

[ismith]

Pretty much…. I’d check out Colorado

Or Kentucky………..

 

[Hammsolo]

Why not go back to where you killed the 9 bulls from?

Great point! The area I killed most of them in is a general area in the Pintlars. It’s in gnarly country and you have to climb “the challenge” to get there and dodge private. It’s sub-alpine and loaded with cliffs. I killed them due to pure blood and sweat. I just never saw any mature bulls in there, but now I have more knowledge…

I also own land in the Pintlars, but it’s deer heavy and generally elk pass through it.

I’m dreaming of mature bulls. In all those elk I never killed a mature bull. The biggest was a young 5 x 6.

 

[ismith]

I wouldn't doubt it. I've heard of a couple poaching instances first hand this last season in 380 on bulls (yes, I contacted FWP). Apparently they didn't know it was a special draw.

Just had to give you a little crap. If I drew a tag such as 380 or another coveted tag, I'd be hunting that unit all the way through season. It's not often you can get after it in that country.

You can “get after it” every year in 380 if you want a spike.

 

[ismith]

Great point! The area I killed most of them in is a general area in the Pintlars. It’s in gnarly country and you have to climb “the challenge” to get there and dodge private. It’s sub-alpine and loaded with cliffs. I killed them due to pure blood and sweat. I just never saw any mature bulls in there, but now I have more knowledge…

I also own land in the Pintlars, but it’s deer heavy and generally elk pass through it.

I’m dreaming of mature bulls. In all those elk I never killed a mature bull. The biggest was a young 5 x 6.

Deer heavy in Montana?