ELK hunting in Montana

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I am truly a lucky person. I just found out that I have drawn an ELK Tag for area 798-20 in the Missouri Breaks. This area is rich with ELK. A lot of people,in Montana) think that possibly the next world record ELK will come from this area.
With the weather they have had this spring the herd should be thriving.

I will be taking my 338 Snipe-Tac for this hunt. I have hunted Mule Deer in the same area where I will be hunting ELK and long shots are a possibility. The Snipe-Tac has a range of 1200yds with not too much of a problem. Pushing an Aluminum Tipped 265gr bullet at 3455fps creates some awesome terminal performance. Of course, using 144gr of BMG50 produces a little bit of recoil. But the 408 Chey-Tac case topped with the necked down 338 really performs. Click Here

Hopefully the first of December I will have some awesome pictures to post.

Good hunting to everyone this upcoming season!!

 

[oldjad01]

Seems like bombing away at an elk from extended ranges raises alot of questions. Elk are extremely difficult to put down, a few inches off your point of aim and you possible spend a day or two tracking before you lose him and he dies anyway.That 6-7" group off the bench at the club at 600 yards translates to
what in the field?
A buddy complained about the 350 Rem Mag,I know it doesn't compare to yours, but if you don't hit vitals it probably won't help anyway). He compounded the problem by making it at dusk. They got back on the trail in the am, but it had snowed 4-5 inches the night before. He swore he hit him good enough, that with his super magnum it would have been tagged. BTW: the range estimate was 500+ yards.
I know from experience that a woundeed animal will probably be imposible to catch if it isn't about dead. Most recently my grandson on his first hunt hit an antelope in the rear as it ran by us: in one side out the other w/o hitting anything important. Another couple inches further back and he would of had a clean miss. It broke from the herd and sat down a long way off. We followed it for about 6 hours and then it was too dark. Picked it up the next day, but couldn't get close enough for a good shot. I finally took a 600 yd or so shot with a 264 and it fell like I hit it good. But that only broke a front leg and we had to finish it off when we got over to it. Ist day, he moved like he was fine, 2nd day like he really hurt. Then shot in the leg..... terrible way to fill a license, but at least we stayed with it and got it done.
Now if you hit and lose do you go for another one on your license?
Just asking, JimDee
PS: BTW there is a picture of a 14 year old girl and her elk in the Mint Bar in Big Sandy with her green score 400+ from her first hunt. Gives you something to shoot for, good luck.

 

[acloco]

Which section of the Missouri River breaks will you be hunting?

 

[MrMister]

Good job Bear!

I haven't drawn a bull elk ever...I did draw a tule cow elk in California though.

I have 8 points in Utah. Last season in Utah we saw some awesome bulls. I had a 7x8 in my scope at less than 100 yards-sure was tempting.

I stopped counting 6x6's on the second day-if only I had an elk tag!

You can get a lot closer I assure you.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I will be hunting on the south side of Fort Peck Res. The area is approximatly 30 miles north of Sand Springs. The closest landmark on the lake would probably be Hell's Creek. There is also a little town of Brusett not to far from the hunting area.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I have heard a lot of people say different things about the long range hunting issue, but since I have personally shot cow ELK with a 257 Weatherby shooting a 100gr GS Custom HV bullet, I am not worried about the 338 and a little distance. At 800 yards this thing is still carrying 4000+ foot/pounds of energy. That should derail any ELK.

I really don't plan to shoot at any EXTREME ranges, but shooting with a good support. Hopefully my bi-pod will be up to the occassion. Also, I have been shooting for a Looonnng time and have been hunting Big Game in Montana since 1963. But, I know that you would agree, any amount of experience is no guarantee; and I know that. I will do my part using good judgement and experience that will not allow ridiculous shots. Hope to have a good report in December to post.

I will have to stop in the Mint Bar and check out the picture you mentioned. Hopefully I will draw a 690 Antelope tag again this year. I have a place right outside of Big Sandy that has a real good population of Antelope.

That brings up one more thought. The nice thing about living here in Montana, every town of any size seems to have a Mint Bar. My neighbor and I thought about doing a 'road-trip' to visit all the Mint Bars in the state. That would be a great trip.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

This is a photo of a really nice 8x7 Bull taken last year.
I can only hope that I will be this fortunate...

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Thanks Lynn.
I here what you're saying. I would never be giving any animal the 'bombs away' treatment anyway. I also spent over $6K for this gun; spent a lot of time tuning the,custom) ammo I will be shootingm so with this hunt of a lifetime I will be taking care with my shot selection. If everybody were to jump on your 'case' because you are in to long range hunting, it seems like that would limit the custom guns to just a select few.

Thanks again for your comment Lynn. I will post my hunting results in December when I return home. Hopefully with some awesome pictures of a successful hunt.

BarryO

 

[gebhardt02]

Blue Eyed Bear,

I used to hunt around Fort Peck regularly. Haven't made my way over there these last couple years, but those are my normal stomping grounds for hunting. I've seen some pretty good bulls in that area you are talking about, so hopefully you can get in on them. Good luck and post pics and the story when you put one down. I'm kinda jealous right now!

Geb

 

[acloco]

That brings up one more thought. The nice thing about living here in Montana, every town of any size seems to have a Mint Bar. My neighbor and I thought about doing a 'road-trip' to visit all the Mint Bars in the state. That would be a great trip.

This road trip would take a couple months!!!

 

[KevinL]

Good Luck BEB
I just hunt the res sportsmen pac in Id no monsters but I hope I can fill the frezzer agin this year
Good Hunting Kevin