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fredbear
Joined: 10 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2002 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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I am a resident of Utah and I have decided to apply for a montana deer/elk tag for the 2003 season. The problem is that I have little knowledge of what area I should go to. The only information I have is an article from AMERICAN HUNTER magazine that really got me pumped.The author stressed that a general season tag allows a public ground hunter a very good possibility of bagging a monster buck if one knows where to go. The author mentioned hunting in the Custer National Forest southeast of Ashland, MT, and the north side of Fort Peck Reservoir as prime public grounds, but he did not get very specific.I am looking for an area that will allow me to hike into and avoid most of the hunting pressure. Does anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated from a hunter disgusted with Utah hunting.
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moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2002
Posts: 6546
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| Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2002 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Fredbear,
I'm aware of at least one registered MT user, that would probably be more than willing to post some info here. However he has been on what sounds like a tough billy chase in MT for sometime.
Why are you unhappy with Utah hunting? |
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fredbear
Joined: 10 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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Mr. Moderator,
I'm happy to see that somebody might have a little helpful insight on the Montana muley location. Any input would be great.
I'm a little disgruntled with the direction that Utah hunting is headed. Residents now must enter the draw for a general season permit, although the odds are pretty good right now, they will only get worse. I drew out for a limited entry permit this year and now I have to wait 3 years before I can even apply again. Utah has what is called the DEDICATED HUNTER program. This program does some good things for our wildlife, but it also hurts our deer herds. These dedicated hunters are allowed to hunt all three weapons seasons in the unit they desire without entering the draw. Well, the majority of these hunters all hunt the southern or southeastern areas of Utah. Combine these hunters with the regular hunters and those two areas are crawling with people on all three seasons. I have hunted the southern area for some 10 years and have seen the effect it has had where I typically hunt.
So, I have decided to make my big hunt each year in a state other than Utah.Hopefully, it will be Montana in '03. |
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moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2002
Posts: 6546
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| Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2002 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry to hear about the situation you have there in Utah, you may want to contact the DOW or attend one of their public meetings.
I know we have posted times and locations for public DOW meetings in Utah in the past and will continue to do so.
If you would like to hunt mule deer out of state, you may also want to consider all regions of the Rocky Mountains including those that extend into Canada. I have nothing against Montana, but if it is mule deer you seek there are other states and provinces to consider too. |
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gunslinger338
Joined: 20 Jul 2002
Posts: 117
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2002 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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Fredbear:
So you want to hunt Montana ???? We normaly hunt southeast of Ashland outside the big town of Hammond. Great hunting!!!!!!! Haven't hunted around Fort Peck but have talked to several who say the best way is to hunt by boat. float the shoreline and catch the deer coming down for water. This year I've spent all season in the Bob Marshal in search of mountain goat, except for last week. My collage roomate was in town and we filled a couple of deer tags. If I can help you out at all let me know. |
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fredbear
Joined: 10 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2002 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Mr. Gunslinger,
Thanks for the reply. I briefly pulled out a topo for the area around the big town of Hammond. It looked like it was nearly all public ground. I'm just looking for a spot where I can hike a couple miles from the roads and let the four-wheeler hunters do their regular roadhunt. I'm focusing on the muley's, but it would be great if there were elk in the same area so I could take advantage of Montana's elk/deer combo tag. Thanks for the info. |
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gunslinger338
Joined: 20 Jul 2002
Posts: 117
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2002 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| there is no elk in hammond. deer and antelope. And there is no elk hunting in the 700 units except for limited archery. To take advantage of both you'll need to head back more toward the western side of the state. still alot of public land. Have fun planning |
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DS
Joined: 24 Nov 2002
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2002 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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Fredbear......
the problem with those articles is that they are meant mostly to sell magazines. I used to get pumped and go chasing across the west in pursuit of the kinds of hunts the articles would describe. What I quickly learned is this...the articles are always vague, and also, thousands of other folks are reading the same article.
The very best hunting is usually discovered only after years of trial and area, and eventually finding a niche or two that most folks label a honey hole. I have hunted the west for a decade, and it has only been in the last two or 3 years I have gotten things figured out in Co, Wyo and just beginning in Montanny and New Mexico.
I'm not trying to dampen your expectations, but merely pointing out that it will still be difficult at best, regardless of how good the article makes it sound. The very best thing you will have going for you is the awsome scenery you will encounter in Montanny......
Good luck!
DS |
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