Montana Elk Outfitter Recommendation

[goosespirit]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to book a hunt for september 2009 for elk in montana for my wife and I.  We are in excellent physical condition and really like the demanding terrain.

I have been looking at 2 outfitters, wayne hill outfitters and sage mountain outfitters.  Do any of you have experience with these or can recommend another.  Thanks, Mike.

[bowfiend]

Sorry to say that I can't be of help with an outfitter recommendation. There are tons to choose from. I will offer the following advice: determine first the surroundings you'd like for your hunt. Many people have a vision of elk hunting, and part of the experience is fulfilling that vision. You can find elk in the plains, in the rocky river breaks areas, dark timber, high alpine meadows, sage brush, etc. Each terrain is demanding in it's own way and each present different hunting challenges. Personally, I'm a sucker for the high alpine meadows and wilderness areas - so I'd be looking for something into the beartooth or the Bob Marshall, etc.

You've probably thought about this already, but I'd hate to have you come out here with a vision of bagging a bull on a mountain ridge and end up in a sandy, dry river bed.

[Talondale]

bowfiend, does one type of area get less pressure than others, maybe because most people want that high-mountain experience?  I know deep country has less pressure but does less "picturesque" country also have less pressure.  (in your opinion)

[bowfiend]

I think most folks - or at least the guys I know - would hunt elk anywhere if they thought there were elk to be had. I know people who do a lot of elk hunting in burns - miles of grey and black. They get bulls, though. I was more commenting on the idea of "getting your moneys worth", or having the hunt live up to what you imagine it to be. There are some areas that I know of that hold some huge elk because they're dry, sandy river breaks that are difficult to acccess.

It's been my experience that it has more to do with access than how picturesque a hunting location is. More and more public land is getting locked up by private folks who buy adjacent properties and then refuse access across their lands to the public ground. Sometimes putting in some map work will yield a sneeky access to some good ground.

And then there's the blood, sweat and tears method - which I employ more often than not. If you put in the effort and get beyond the day-hunter barrier, there's usually elk to be had.

Any outfitter, though, will have an area well scouted and know how to get into the elk. The wild card this time of year is fire. You never know if your spot is going to burn to the ground.

[Frank V]

We're praying it won't burn or the FS close it. Frank