Montana, where to see/hear elk

[TomBow]

My wife and I are headed to Kalispell early next week.  The weather has been consistently warm so I know I might be out of luck BUT I'd like to try and see or hear elk.  Probably too early to hear bugles but a fellers got to try, right?  Anyone have any suggestions on where we might be able to see or hear elk this time of year?

[TomBow]

Hello. just takin' a bump.  Please to help.

[Scott Teaschner]

Its is still very warm so your only chance is going to be very high above or at timberline. Very early and late evening. Most bulls will still be in bachelor groups. They like to lay either in dark cool timber or above timer where strong cool winds keep bugs away. I have seen groups of 5 or 6 bulls laying below and on left over snow taking turn sleeping. Big old racks look funny laying on the ground. I even seen them doe this during the rut. But up by Kalispell its a little different terrain than my neck of the woods a lot more timber and i don't think the get quite as high up there. I wont say you wont hear one bugel but they really will not be in that kind of mood.

[stevem]

It's been several years so I can't recall the name for sure- something like Mission Mountain Game Preserve.  Seemed like it was about 45 miles south of Flathead Lake.  Saw many deer and elk. Perhaps near Ronan.

[centaur]

Don't know about in Montana right now, but yesterday I was camping in the Bighorns at about 9000 feet and had three or four bulls bugling from first light until almost 830. Dang, I'm ready for September!

[Barry Wensel]

Tom: Like Scott said it may be a little early but I've heard bulls bugle in late August before. I used to live right near where you are going. Whenever I had friends visit who wanted to hear a bull bugle I used to always take them to the same spot. It's in Glacier National Park so there's absolutely no hunting, but it's easy to find and there were always elk in there. Take Rt. 2 to West Glacier, MT. You'll need to stop and ask anyone near the train station where the footbridge is that goes across the Middlefork of the Flathead River. Any local teenager can tell you where it is because it's popular for bridge jumping/swimming (I hated it when my boys used to always do it). Park at the bridge and walk across and turn right. I can't remember how far but it's only a couple hundred yards upstream you'll see a fairly steep hill on your left. Climb the hill through the huckleberries and snow brush until it starts to level (only a few hundred yards up). Once in the timber it will be much easier walking and you can follow game trails back into an obvious basin. Take a bugle to get them started. In all the years I lived there and the many times I took folks in I can't ever remember seeing another person in there in September. I moved from there in '99 so it's likely changed some but I don't think I've ever hiked in there in September without bugling in a bull. One other note, be careful as it's grizz country. Have fun. BW

[Barry Wensel]

Yes.. Steve is likely talking about the National Bison Range which is south of Kalispell near St. Ignatius, MT. That would make an excellent day trip down the west side of Flathead Lake to the Bison Range where you could see a great variety of game including elk, whitetails, mulies, bear, antelope, some bighorns and goats as well as bison. Then return to Kalispell via the east side of Flathead Lake for a different view. BW

[TomBow]

Mr. Wensel,
Thank you for your DETAILED information, it is greatly appreciated!
I have great respect for you and you have been along on my trad journey since it began several years ago, starting with "Bowhunting October Whitetails".  Much thanks to you, your brother and so many others that have turned my "I'd like to do that!"(traditional archery) into "I don't want to do any thing else but shoot trad and get in deep with my connection to nature and the whole natural cycle".

AGain, MUCH thanks.

Tom Brissee

[lt-m-grow]

Have fun and have heart...

In June, I was hiking in Rocky Mt. National Park up the Long's Peak trail and when  coming down about 6:00 PM we had bulls bugling all around us.   Being from WI, that was a big and wonderful surprise to hear that time of year.

I suppose like when I hear turkey's gobble in the fall, it is not the norm, but can happen most times. ?

[twistedlim]

2nd the National Bison Range.  Great place to view all sorts of animals.

 http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=61540

[Scott Teaschner]

You may be in luck I have spoke to several different people now and it seems the elk are showing  some signs of rutting with bugeling being heard. Get out early in the morning for your best chance.