Mt 417-20

[4ohSick]

Not sure if @perma shared much but this very broken terrain offers plenty of opportunity to cover many miles on foot, and spend a whole lot of time behind your optics. This is a permit bull district, general cow district with surprisingly low hunting pressure; most bulls are harvested by elite hunters at an older age class with many going Boone & Crockett. Definitely one of MT's best kept secrets that we limit discussions to this private forum.

• Missouri River is the best access on the north end of the unit, a small canoe access is best for the adventurous elite hunter like yourself.
• Kjorlein Rd has great access as does Woodhawk Rd. Lots of water sources that don't show up on the maps around there attract the older age class bulls that the weekend warriors won't hike for. Just get some elevation and work the optics.
• Private land can cause access problems if you don't knock before daylight. 417 is known for friendly landowners but only for the early birds. Apparently it's a tradition out there that some of the locals can explain better than I. Bud Light and cigarettes go a loonnnnng way out there as it's a ways into town for the locals. Bring extra fuel cans too.
• ATVs could be useful to drive established roads, and anywhere you think no one is looking. Just be careful if it's wet.
• Don't be afraid to road hunt this unit. Most hunters are just bombing from point A to point B in this unit and leaving the juicy middle untapped. More post-rut mid day bulls and harvested here than almost any unit in MT.
• Due to the length of the season bulls will typically still be in the secondary rut opening weekend. By the end of season bulls typically are in bachelor groups in isolated pockets throughout the unit, mostly on easily accessible private. Just knock and bring a fair amount of BL and smokes.

I think your intel might be a few years old. BL must have changed their recipe or something, seems a lot of folks who used to brush their teeth with the stuff won't touch it now. Especially if you see a "save the cowboy" sign. A 30 of MGD, Coors (lite and heavy) and some Busch Lite should satisfy all the discerning tastes out there.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I think your intel might be a few years old. BL must have changed their recipe or something, seems a lot of folks who used to brush their teeth with the stuff won't touch it now. Especially if you see a "save the cowboy" sign. A 30 of MGD, Coors (lite and heavy) and some Busch Lite should satisfy all the discerning tastes out there.

Busch Latte is pretty much BL in a different can. Same factory. There's a subtle message you're sending by offering BL to the rancher that will set our friend apart.

 

[Elktuff]

My brother has a lot more time than me to hunt and has already passed something like 20 bulls. I feel like we have got a pretty good handle on where to find some elk in 417. If folks who draw the rifle tag in the future want to reach out for some tips, I would be happy to do what I can to help.

Hey moose can you msg me some info

 

[Dave N]

Hey moose can you msg me some info

Nope. You ain't been here long enough. Make more dumb posts like all the other newbies looking for info.

 

[cgasner1]

Hey moose can you msg me some info

I asked him earlier his tip was to watch out for bears.

 

[Elktuff]

Nope. You ain't been here long enough. Make more dumb posts like all the other newbies looking for info.

Nope. You ain't been here long enough. Make more dumb posts like all the other newbies looking for info.

Well sorry I don’t spend my time on forums in my moms basement to have been a member of this for a credible amount of time, maybe I actually spent time in the field with boots on the ground and I wanted to discuss some spots with someone who’s hunted the unit man you trolls are vicious

 

[The Hedgehog]

PM me I'll tell you all I know.

 

[Elktuff]

PM me I'll tell you all I know.

Won’t let me PM you

 

[Elktuff]

I asked him earlier his tip was to watch out for bears.

Damn assuming you have the tag aswell? Spent some time scouting early seen some good bulls but that was July so I’m sure they have moved from summer grounds

 

[ismith]

417-20 was an ok hunt when I did it in 2006, probably blows pretty bad now considering the state of 410.

 

[mtmuley]

Won’t let me PM you

You need 10 posts first. Then, ask away. mtmuley

 

[Elktuff]

Thanks new to this forum stuff

 

[Dave N]

Won’t let me PM you

See post 104. And did you notice the there?

 

[Elktuff]

See post 104. And did you notice the there?

 

[4ohSick]

Well sorry I don’t spend my time on forums in my moms basement to have been a member of this for a credible amount of time, maybe I actually spent time in the field with boots on the ground and I wanted to discuss some spots with someone who’s hunted the unit man you trolls are vicious

Dissing the people you want advice from probably isn’t the move. But Hedgehog is one of the more generous members here - keep an eye on your PMs.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Ask and you shall receive..

 

[cgasner1]

417-20 was an ok hunt when I did it in 2006, probably blows pretty bad now considering the state of 410.

Not to be that guy but a person born the year you had that tag could vote this year

 

[Elktuff]

Not to be that guy but a person born the year you had that tag could vote this year

Lol

 

[Elktuff]

So this is a post based on 417-20, lots of mixed reviews of the unit anyone who’s actually killed a decent bull on public land on here any pictures?

 

[ismith]

So this is a post based on 417-20, lots of mixed reviews of the unit anyone who’s actually killed a decent bull on public land on here any pictures?

I killed the best and only bull I saw, a 260 class 5x6.