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DIY Montana Elk Hunt #7045172
11/10/20 05:09 PM
11/10/20 05:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
thrstyunderwater Offline OP
trapper
thrstyunderwater  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
I was able to harvest a public lands bull elk in Montana this year. One of my favorite hunts of my life. I thought I'd share some pictures. Sure is different from Missouri white tail (what I cut my teeth on).

[Linked Image]
It was not warm when I got to the trail head.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
The trail in was brisk but nice. We backpacked in 3.4 miles and 2000 feet up.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Having a boot issue in really cold weather isn't the best. I guess I got them a little close to the fire. Nothing a ski strap and some contractor string couldn't fix.

[Linked Image]
Camp from afar (not that far)

[Linked Image]
Camp during the day.

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Camp at night.

[Linked Image]
We used a Seek Outside tent. We couldn't have done a cold weather hunt like this without it. The titanium stove and tent weights 6.5 lbs. Plenty of heat. We cooked (boiled water) on it too.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Frost accumulation during the night. We kept the stove going all night too!

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
While my friend was on an epic stalk that required him going down 1000 and up 2000 feet, I stayed put and guided him into where the elk were. That was the plan at least. They fed out of sight and couldn't be found before he got there. Meanwhile 3 bulls ran within 234 yards of me. This was the largest one. Cabelas won't buy him from me, and I wouldn't sell him anyway. The euro mount will be on my wall here soon. Browning Hells Canyon Long Range in 300 win mag with an 180 grain Barnes TTSX did the trick just fine.

Also the hill he died on was super steep. And slick from snow. Worst place I ever had to break down an animal at.

[Linked Image]
We ended up with 217 pounds of boneless meat. And let me tell you, it's all really good.

[Linked Image]
Carrying elk quarters through wind blow lodge pole will give you a new perspective on life.

An amazing experience. We heard wolves howl at night and had grizzly tracks by camp. Growing up in Missouri I always wanted to go hunt elk. I now have in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana. If you want to hunt elk, do it. The road goes both ways. I'll definitely go back and hunt elk in Montana again. With new boots. And a lighter rifle. I can't wait.


Originally Posted by Ole Hawkeye
Pat, as usual, you are right....

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045186
11/10/20 05:21 PM
11/10/20 05:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
Redknot Offline
trapper
Redknot  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
Nice hunt..Never let a blown out boot slow you down...


~Illegitimi Non Carborundum~
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045200
11/10/20 05:33 PM
11/10/20 05:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,426
Missouri
ol' dad Offline
trapper
ol' dad  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,426
Missouri
Cool story! Congrats!

Ol dad


"I season my food with hunger"
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045239
11/10/20 06:12 PM
11/10/20 06:12 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,939
Montana
B
beartooth trapr Offline
trapper
beartooth trapr  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,939
Montana
Excellent good job


Let me sugar coat this
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045250
11/10/20 06:22 PM
11/10/20 06:22 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
A
adam m Offline
trapper
adam m  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
Nice hunt. Thanks for sharing.
Elk ribs are a favorite of mine

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045281
11/10/20 07:05 PM
11/10/20 07:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,231
S/W Wisconsin
rpmartin Offline
trapper
rpmartin  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,231
S/W Wisconsin
Great job, huge congrats, looks like you definitely earned that one.
The harder the hunt the sweeter the meat.


Life member,
NRA, NTA, RMEF, Pheasants Forever.
WTA,TTA,FTA,SA,GOA, member


Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045285
11/10/20 07:08 PM
11/10/20 07:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,550
MT
S
Slick Pan Offline
trapper
Slick Pan  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,550
MT
Very good job.Welcome to elk hunting in Montana! Its not for everyone but if you can hack it this is your reward.Adam-I am sure the ribs are still up there on the mountain if you want some. grin

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045309
11/10/20 07:33 PM
11/10/20 07:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Congrats


Nevada bound
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045316
11/10/20 07:37 PM
11/10/20 07:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,883
Alabama/ SE Wisconsin
S
shanemoss Offline
trapper
shanemoss  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,883
Alabama/ SE Wisconsin
Awesome adventure Pat! Beautiful country and elk. How long did y’all camp? I assume that was your only camp? A bowhunt for elk has been on my bucket list way too long. Good job.


When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: shanemoss] #7045337
11/10/20 07:59 PM
11/10/20 07:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
thrstyunderwater Offline OP
trapper
thrstyunderwater  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
Originally Posted by shanemoss
Awesome adventure Pat! Beautiful country and elk. How long did y’all camp? I assume that was your only camp? A bowhunt for elk has been on my bucket list way too long. Good job.



I was up there 2 nights and 3 days. My buddy was up there 4 nights and 5 days. I opted to wait and come up after the storm. He didn’t.


Originally Posted by Ole Hawkeye
Pat, as usual, you are right....

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045368
11/10/20 08:26 PM
11/10/20 08:26 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,398
Kansas
K
Kansas Cat Offline
trapper
Kansas Cat  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,398
Kansas
I have spent more than a few days afield in Montana when the temperatures were less than desirable. I miss everything about Montana except the wind. Excellent elk hunt and great pictures Thirsty.

Last edited by Kansas Cat; 11/10/20 08:28 PM.
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045430
11/10/20 09:01 PM
11/10/20 09:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,144
AK
bfisch Offline
trapper
bfisch  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,144
AK
Thanks for sharing!

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045431
11/10/20 09:01 PM
11/10/20 09:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,035
wyoming southeast
D
danvee Offline
trapper
danvee  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,035
wyoming southeast
That is a hunt to remember for sure glad you got some pics but im sure its stuck in you head and dreams forever congradulations and get a pair of new boots you earned them!!!!

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045543
11/10/20 10:06 PM
11/10/20 10:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,821
sw iowa
Outlaw99 Offline
trapper
Outlaw99  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,821
sw iowa
Great pics, great story, and beautiful country. The seek shelters are amazing. Congratulations, and thanks for posting


Not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045673
11/10/20 11:31 PM
11/10/20 11:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,652
ND
M
MJM Offline
trapper
MJM  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,652
ND
What make are those boots? I want to make sure I never get a pair.


"Not Really, Not Really"
Mark J Monti
"MJM you're a jerk."
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045683
11/10/20 11:43 PM
11/10/20 11:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,308
MT
S
snowy Offline
trapper
snowy  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,308
MT
Glad all worked out for you. Done those hunts like that all my life and never gets old. I'm the only thing that getting old and can't imagine not being able to do it any more.


Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045731
11/11/20 12:11 AM
11/11/20 12:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 183
Northern Nevada
O
Old coy Offline
trapper
Old coy  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 183
Northern Nevada
GREAT MEMORIES!! 220 lbs of meat surely equates to an even ton by the time you make the truck! That looks like an awesome trip. Congrats

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7045909
11/11/20 08:04 AM
11/11/20 08:04 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,554
Slaughter Slough, MN
Dead Coyote Offline
trapper
Dead Coyote  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,554
Slaughter Slough, MN
Great hunt and great memories!


Live everyday like it is the last day of your life!
MJPPTA 1%
Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: MJM] #7046191
11/11/20 01:39 PM
11/11/20 01:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
thrstyunderwater Offline OP
trapper
thrstyunderwater  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,755
Nevada
Originally Posted by MJM
What make are those boots? I want to make sure I never get a pair.


Redhead I believe. They’re 12 years old and were just used to sit in tree stands until this trip.


Originally Posted by Ole Hawkeye
Pat, as usual, you are right....

Re: DIY Montana Elk Hunt [Re: thrstyunderwater] #7046308
11/11/20 03:30 PM
11/11/20 03:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,822
Nevada
N
nvwrangler Offline
trapper
nvwrangler  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,822
Nevada
So one trip out for meat each and one trip for camp?

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