Hi all, I am in desperate need of help for a Thanksgiving elk hunt in HD 360 of MT. I am an experienced hunter but am new to the elk side of things. That being said this is turning into what will be a dream hunt. It's not a dream hunt because of the quality, but because it will likely be the last time I will ever be able to do such a trip with my dad. With this in mind, I am trying to do everything I can to make sure this hunt is successful. While I know the odds are statistically not in my favor, I believe every piece of knowledge increases the chances of being successful. We have one week to do all our scouting and hunting (and hopefully packing out). If y'all might have any insight, please chip in. If you need more details regarding our hunt, just ask and I can provide. Thank you all for your help!
Thanksgiving Elk Montana Unit 360 (Big Sky, MT)
- Thread starter andycon
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Addicting
Well-known member
Welcome to HT. What shape are you and your dad in? Do you have a bull tag or a cow tag? Have you talked to anyone in Big Sky that is going to give you access? Are you stuck to thanksgiving or can you do the opener? The longer you wait the more elk are down in the valley on the wintering grounds. It’s either private or No hunting. You could literally see 1000 of elk and not be able to do anything but take pics.
There can be some steep country south of Ennis with some very busy trail heads. If your willing to go on the opener I can give you Some help.
Also Ennis has a festival just before the rifle opener that is pretty neat.
There can be some steep country south of Ennis with some very busy trail heads. If your willing to go on the opener I can give you Some help.
Also Ennis has a festival just before the rifle opener that is pretty neat.
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Were both in good shape and are physically/mentally prepared to put in the miles necessary to make it worth our while. And unfortunately we are stuck to the week of Thanksgiving; I'm a college student so Thanksgiving is the one time during the season that both of us have the availability to take the time to cross the county and hit woods. The area we're currently eyeing is the transition range south of Ennis (near about the Bear Creek WMA). I've also talked to a school-friend's father who happens to live in Big Sky proper. He was incredibly helpful but suggested that I go to a place near Ramshorn Peak.
Thank you for your help!
What would you suggest? I have a general elk license so I can hunt most anywhere in the state? We simply chose the Big Sky area because we are familiear with it from a geographical standpoint and we also had a few connections that could turn into leads. I would also note that this is not a "dream hunt" because of our hope to pack out a monster. I simply refer to it as a dream hunt because this is likely the last time I'll be able to backpack hunt with my father.
Our family has lived in Iowa for quite some time, so we are ready for the cold weather if it comes. It is an unfortunate time of the year to plan this trip from a preparation standpoint, because as you said the weather could be doing so many different things (and it doesn't help that we will be in the mountains where it is even more volatile). However, the weather affects more than just what clothing we pack, it will also determine what elevation the elk are at, how far we will be able to hike during a day, how much food to bring, etc.
With regard to shooting, I'm a fine shot. I feel comfortable on the range up to 600 yards, but I hope to get anything I see in at less than 400. I will say though that I don't have any experience in shooting at varying elevations or at shooting with crosswinds. Given my location, that's something that I can't practice simply because there's nowhere remotely close for me to simulate either of the above-mentioned.
It's a tough area, gets a ton of pressure. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just making sure you know what your getting yourself in too.
I hunt that area myself. I have pulled up too the trailheads and never got out of the truck, because of the amount of people. Mid week is going to be better, but with Thanksgiving it will change some things. During that time frame, elk could possibly be down on the flats already, or still be up in the mountains it's hard to say. General during that time elk herds are big. Which is good and bad.
Be prepared for other hunters, working your ass off and cold temps.
Elk hunting in general tends to reward the people who work the hardest.. good luck!
I hunt that area myself. I have pulled up too the trailheads and never got out of the truck, because of the amount of people. Mid week is going to be better, but with Thanksgiving it will change some things. During that time frame, elk could possibly be down on the flats already, or still be up in the mountains it's hard to say. General during that time elk herds are big. Which is good and bad.
Be prepared for other hunters, working your ass off and cold temps.
Elk hunting in general tends to reward the people who work the hardest.. good luck!
I figured it would be a heavily pressured area given its proximity to some of the larger population centers, but I'm not aware of exactly how much pressure that will be? Especially given that I will be hunting during Thanksgiving/ the end of the season, can I expect the woods to be a little more vacant because tags have been filled/ hunters are on vacation with family, or will there be a greater influx of hunters because people have the extra time off or a final push to fill tags? I realize this is more of a subjective question, but how far is far enough to avoid the crowds? My dad and I are both capable of setting camp 15 miles from the trailhead, but neither of us would prefer to do that if most hunters don't make it 4 miles?
We have no experience elk hunting. However, we have tons of experience backpacking, camping (in grizzly country), whitetail and hog hunting, etc. In short, the only area of this experience that we don't have expertise is the elk side of things.
Southern Elk
Well-known member
I can see that unit from my house and I usually choose not to hunt it. On a typical year, the only elk left in there the week of Thanksgiving are migrating out. Everyone knows this. It WILL be crowded. I have seen 40 or more trucks at the trail heads that time of year. Half of those will be trucks with horse trailers. Those hunters will be able to get deeper into the mountains and likely cut the elk off before they get to you. I have hunted some of those spots late in the season and you literally can't get away from folks. You won't find me in there that late in the year. It is not what I consider fun hunting.
Southern Elk
Well-known member
I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I don't think you realize how hard it would be to pack camp on your back 15 miles into the Madison Range. Plus 15 miles would get you more than half way in and wouldn't make sense, since you could just pack in from the other side and be closer.
At that time your going, Grizzlies aren't that big of a concern, yes they may be there, but most likely hibernating.
There will be tons of people around. The deeper you go the less people you will see. Given you have no shot an elk, I would stick to the 0-4 miles, also it gives you the ability to move if need be. Keep in mind, it's a minimum of a 2 trips for an elk, most likely 3-4. Depending a cow or a bull.
There will be tons of people around. The deeper you go the less people you will see. Given you have no shot an elk, I would stick to the 0-4 miles, also it gives you the ability to move if need be. Keep in mind, it's a minimum of a 2 trips for an elk, most likely 3-4. Depending a cow or a bull.
PaulRevere
Well-known member
Get ready to see a ton of hunters and a lot of them will be on horseback.
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Straight Arrow
Well-known member
I want to encourage you to come to Montana and enjoy elk hunting as much as I do and have for decades. However, I caution you to be realistic and understand the possible disappointment in not taking an elk. You may be a fortunate hunter and have it easy or you may hunt hard and come up short. First, realize that ten percent or fewer of elk hunters here are successful. The Thanksgiving week is the last week pf general season and many hunters take the week or at least Friday off work to give it a last effort.
Second, be aware of potential snow conditions which would make a fifteen mile snowshoe or ski from the trailhead very difficult, with then winter camping. To retrieve your game may take the better part of the following week. Fifteen miles from a trailhead in the Madison Range puts you somewhere you don't want to be during a late November snow event.
Please do come and enjoy Montana and the joys of hunting the elusive wapiti, but expect the least and be grateful for the most you experience.
Addicting
Well-known member
I am in the Army for a few more months before retiring. I can out ruck March most men. It is one thing I alway prided myself on. 4-6 miles with 60lbs was normal. On long days we had to do 12, with my longest being 16 miles.
I say that because that country made me whimp out. I did the same thing your doing and took a lot of advice. I saw the areas I had chosen and never made it to either one. The Madison range will whip your butt. You may get in, but you surely will hate life to get out if successful. 90lb loads and miles add up VERY quickly.
I will second what everyone else is saying, pick some where else.
Take a look at the Yellowstone Migration corridors, and expect company. Fury and other hunters.....
I say that because that country made me whimp out. I did the same thing your doing and took a lot of advice. I saw the areas I had chosen and never made it to either one. The Madison range will whip your butt. You may get in, but you surely will hate life to get out if successful. 90lb loads and miles add up VERY quickly.
I will second what everyone else is saying, pick some where else.
Take a look at the Yellowstone Migration corridors, and expect company. Fury and other hunters.....
Addicting
Well-known member
Also there is a campground south of Ennis down by where the Madison river curves and heads into quake lake. They have 3 cabins that they rent. Consider giving them a call and staying there, they are great people and it was a very good price for the week.
Take a good spotter and you can look up quite a few drainages from your truck. There will likely be snow and you can see the tracks from the elk migration in from Idaho. That will help you narrow down where they went and you can do more of a spot and stalk. DON’T overlook the two HMA’s right by the campground. They can be productive.
Take a good spotter and you can look up quite a few drainages from your truck. There will likely be snow and you can see the tracks from the elk migration in from Idaho. That will help you narrow down where they went and you can do more of a spot and stalk. DON’T overlook the two HMA’s right by the campground. They can be productive.
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Thank you all for your help and suggestions. To address many of the remarks being made: I'm not set on unit 360, it was simply an area that my dad and I figured would be good ground at first glance. With that in mind, what areas would you recommend sending me too? I'm not looking for your secret honey holes, but instead general parts of a particular unit, geological/geographical characteristics, etc. With regard to us hiking 15 miles, that was simply an arbitrary number. While we are both capable of doing such (even in the snow), that was just my way of saying we're willing to put in any amount of work necessary to improve our odds. With respect to our optimism, neither of us are counting on being able to notch a tag. We are very aware and realistic of the factors working against us, we just want to do what we can to increase the likelihood we can pack one out. This leads me to the final point that was brought up; we are aware of what it will take to pack a full elk out. Luckily, there will likely be two other adults (my dad's brother and a close family friend) who will be coming along to be pack mules, but also enjoy the experience and the views. They too have more than enough experience backpacking/camping/hiking/hunting in the mountains of the west.
Thank you all again for your assistance in helping me prepare for this hunt. While getting a bull on the ground would be nice, ultimately I believe we are all looking forward to the experience of just spending some time in the woods together.
Thank you all again for your assistance in helping me prepare for this hunt. While getting a bull on the ground would be nice, ultimately I believe we are all looking forward to the experience of just spending some time in the woods together.
pointingdogsrule
Well-known member
Great thread. I'm not hunting and this thread is do enlightening.
