Topic: Elk Hunting Opportunity

[HerdEcon]

Ever want to Elk hunt Montana but were discouraged by the priority point/lottery system?

Now is your opportunity.

Montana like some other western states has seen a reduction in the number of hunters applying for Elk licenses.  Montana has, for the first time since it introduced the priority point/lottery system, authorized a limited number of over the counter Elk licenses on a first come first served basis. 

Better hurry.  Now is your chance to bag a big Montana Elk with or without an outfitter.

[HERDFAN1999]

Wow...this is a great opportunity.  I have already paid for the moose lottery in Maine and need to wait and see what happens there.  Would love to go to Montana if I don't get a moose permit (applied for bull only) I just can't afford to do both.

[HerdEcon]

It is a great opportunity.  Long season, big herd and good chance for success.  With all the national forest out there you don't even need an outfitter to have a good time and a good chance of bagging an Elk.  All you need is a spirit for adventure, a good GPS, and a basic knowledge of Elk hunting.

I would be there this year but my hunting party drew the first Elk season in Colorado this year.  If we had known about the opportunity in Montana before we paid and put our names in the Colorado priority point/lottery draw we would have definitely been Montana bound.  If we hadn't drawn the Colorado first season we would have had two choices: 1) ask for a refund; or 2) opt for a second seaon license in Colorado.  My hunting party discussed it and, except for our family members who live in Colorado, we decided if we didn't draw the first season we were going to get the refund and go to Montana.  The Colorado "boys" are going to hunt both Colorado and Montana.

If you go...  plan to spend a whole week and take your fly pole and go early while the trout are biting.

[HERDFAN1999]

If you go...  plan to spend a whole week and take your fly pole and go early while the trout are biting.

That would be an absolutely awesome trip. 

[HerdEcon]

We take our rods to Colorado.  When one of us tags out he starts fishing.  Weather permitting.  

During the second Elk season in Colodado a hunter can also buy a mule deer tag in many areas.  I've seen some big mule deer.

How's moose hunting?

[HERDFAN1999]

Moose hunting is fun but different.  A lot of it is done from the vehicles driving around the timber company roads.  Up there it isn't the usual throw your pack on and go hunt that I'm used to.  The last time we drew a tag (and the only time) was 2007.  We drew a cow only tag.  We hunted all week and saw five big bulls.  I'll take the fly rod to Maine as well in case we tag out early.  There is also an opportunity to take a deer up there with a bow or to add a black bear if we want to pay for it. 

[Johnnyherd]

You ever heard of the "Wolf War"?  

Basically they re-introduced Wolves in the Mid West and put them on the protected species list at the same time.  The wolves have multiplied like crazy and they are decimating the overall elk populations by killing female and young elk.

http://biggameforever.org/wolf-overpopulation.php

Standing Together Against Wolf Overpopulation
The Canadian Gray Wolf was introduced into Western States in 1994 and achieved recovery objectives in 2002. Wolves are also abundant in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Wolves are here to stay. With a population growth rate of 24%, wolf overpopulation is now doing significant damage to wildlife populations throughout the West and Midwest.

Immediate congressional action is needed to permanently delist wolves and allow for much needed state wildlife management. Ongoing anti-management litigation must be ended to return wolf numbers to agreed upon levels to avoid irreversible damage to big game herds.

Secondly, did you know that Kentucky has an Elk lottery?  I heard it was cheap too.

[HERDFAN1999]

Kentucky's elk lottery is cheap to enter but they aren't issuing many permits yet.  The elk have been reintroduced successfully in every state surrounding WV except Ohio.  WV will most likely start a formal reintroduction program very soon.  We have a small number elk in the southern coalfields so they are already here.  Imagine this....WV could very well have our own elk lottery in 10-15 years.  Also, imagine the prime elk hunting areas in the US all being east of the Miss River.  Considering the wolf predation problems our wildlife areas as we know them now could be completely different in our lifetimes. 

Related note, if any of you have not joined the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation you should consider it.  They are taking the lead (including working right now with the WV legislature) and doing wonderful work reintroducing elk throughout the US and also preserving habitat.  They are a great organization.

   

[HerdEcon]

I've heard of the reintroduction of the wolf in some states.  Montana is one of the states that have active wolf packs.  I've been hiking and backpacking unarmed and miles from anywhere in Wyoming and Montana and heard the wolf packs howl.  Absolutely awesome but a little scary at the same time when you realize you are closer to them than you think.   

In Colorado where we normally hunt we don't have to worry about the wolf situation.  Some people have said that the wolves are improving the quality of the elk by killing off the sick, injured, and older elk.  It all depends on who you talk to.  Personally, I’m in favor of the reintroduction of wolves so long as we have the resources to support them.

As far as the Kentucky elk season is concerned I’ve heard that there are a lot of applicants for the lottery and the chances of getting drawn aren’t good.  But it you get a license I’ve heard the chances you will kill is better than several western states.