tallone Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 I'm going on my elk hunt in November and have almost everything I need but I have a question about the weather. I've been skiing in Colorado when it was snowing but I could walk around with a light jacket (dry cold?) I know down here in Louisiana when it gets in the 30's which isn't very often it's cold! Can I expect dry cold in Montana or do I need to bring all of my coldest gear? I know there will be a lot of walking which is totally different than siting in a tree, but I am wondering how much to pack. Any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tootalloutdoors Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? If you are traveling that far I would have to say "bring as much as you can" or bring some extra cash to buy here after you get a current weather update for where you are going. I live in north west Montana. Our November starts with lows around mid to high twenties. With the highs around fifty. By the end of November you're gonna get snow. On a whole the cold here will be a much drier cold than where you are. I hunt out of tree stands and also walk hunt. I have to dress for what I plan to do that day. Where are you gonna be hunting? East, west? Whitetails, or mulies and elk? If you want you can e-mail me for more detailed [email protected] Have a good one...tootalloutdoors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? E-mail sent thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tootalloutdoors Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Hey tallone. Sorry but I put too much on my e-mail address. It is [email protected] The info part was not suppose to show up on the address. So, I'm anxious to hear from you, so try it again...Sorry. tootalloutdoors P.S. I'm thinking we must both be "tall".. 6' 7"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? No problem, I just got it back so I'm trying again. I'm 6'6" so we are close. Fun to find clothes huh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? I think the best strategy is to watch the forecast closely leading up to your hunt and/or contact one of us Montana forum members for weather info before leaving. It really depends on where you're hunting, what elevation, what method, etc. I do a lot of ground blind hunting for whitetails in NW Montana and typically dress lightly for the hike in and add layers once I get there. For walking in deep snow, you will get sweated up fast, but may need extra layers at some point during the day, so make sure your hunting pack is capable of carrying extra clothes. Good hunting boots are a must also! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions - do you know the area or mountain range that you will be hunting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? All I know is it's about 1.5 to 2 hours west to southwest of Missoula I believe. He did say they have aready had a snow and it's looking good for more which is what he told me to hope for. I have a pretty big day pack i'm bringing and I had thought the same about packing warmer clothes in it for the days hunting. I bought my boots last week and have been wearing them around to break them in. They have 400 grams of thinsulate and are 8" tall with goretex. I also, due to the advise of others here, bought some gaitors. One thing I know for sure is that I'm pumped and can't wait. This is my first hunting trip in the north. Can't wait to see the mountains and beautiful landscape you have there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Keep an eye out for some grizzlies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Sounds like you are in the Bitterroot Range which is beautiful country for sure. Are you using an outfitter and going into the back country? Gaitors are a good idea - although I've never used them much - a good pair of wool pants is a must. Hopefully your gaitors are fleece or some other "quiet" material. We did get a nice snow about 10 days ago, but most has melted off due to some very pleasant 75 degree days. Snow is always the wildcard that can make or break a hunt. Hopefully you will have some to work with. Sounds like your boots are about perfect - the mountains are steep, steep, steep, so be prepared for some difficult hikes. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Okay no more talk about grizzlies I've thought about that already! Mark I'm hooked up with a friend that is taking us he lives there and has a lot of trophies to his name but he's not an outfitter but knows the area well. I bought the cabelas ultimate gaitors hopefully they are not loud do you know about these?. I have a lot of goretex insulated pants but none are the wool kind their not to loud to walk around in. I also have good under garments. so I should be okay. most all of my clothes are waterproof. We are going into the backcountry on horses and he had talked about going up some river to an area where he knows of some big mule deer but I am hoping for a big whitetail. Which ever will be fine though. I'm also going for elk. Anything else? John P.S. Mark are there grizzlies in that area and would they be out at that time of year? IS it something I should be concerned about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? just a week ago it was snowing/raining and 30 degrees when i was elk huntin. then the next day it was almost 80 degrees. so bring all your warmest gear and wear layers. but i noticed you said something about grizzlies. i got within 40 yards of one last weekend and never knew it until he came runin out of the bush. luckily the other way but none the less scared me to death. but thats no the point. if the area you are hunting is hunted pretty heavily the grizzlies mostly the boars stay out almost all winter. we have had a sow with 3 cubs come into our camp in the middle of november. they stay out and eat all the wounded/unrecoverd animals and the gut piles so if that answers your question. if you have any other questions just pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Re: Montana weather? [ QUOTE ] Okay no more talk about grizzlies I've thought about that already! Mark I'm hooked up with a friend that is taking us he lives there and has a lot of trophies to his name but he's not an outfitter but knows the area well. I bought the cabelas ultimate gaitors hopefully they are not loud do you know about these?. I have a lot of goretex insulated pants but none are the wool kind their not to loud to walk around in. I also have good under garments. so I should be okay. most all of my clothes are waterproof. We are going into the backcountry on horses and he had talked about going up some river to an area where he knows of some big mule deer but I am hoping for a big whitetail. Which ever will be fine though. I'm also going for elk. Anything else? John P.S. Mark are there grizzlies in that area and would they be out at that time of year? IS it something I should be concerned about? [/ QUOTE ] From your posts, I have a pretty good idea where you're going to be and NO, you won't have to worry about grizzly bears. For whatever reason, there are no credible records of grizzly bears in the Bitterroot mountains and haven't been for decades. The USFWS actually proposed a couple years ago to reintroduce them to this range, but it hasn't happened yet. I wouldn't worry for a second about grizzlies. You will have black bears and lions roaming those mountains, but rarely do we have encounters that result in attacks. In short, concentrate on the hunt and don't worry about the predators. You should be good to go with your clothing selection. Don't pass up a trophy Mule Deer if you get the chance. You won't find any whitetails in the back country, but there are plenty down in the valleys and lower mountains below 5,000 feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Well thats good news about the grizzlies. Mark the guy that is taking me has 6 whitetail on his wall that has come from his area ranging from 155 to 172" if I see something that big the big mule will have to come on the next trip! I am really looking forward to the whole experence, it's not all about the kill for me. When I was young we went on vacation to yellowstone and I still remember how beautiful it was and can't wait to see it again. Thanks to all you you for your helpful advise and if I think of anything else I'll defintinely ask. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Re: Montana weather? I was up NW of Missoula last year about the same time and everything we wore was wool (in layers). It was about 30 degrees down at camp with hardly any snow, but up where we were hunting it was in the teens and about 3 feet of snow. So you really need to be prepared. Bring plenty of changes of long underwear (wicking) and plenty of changes of socks. I got by for a week with two pair of wool pants. Enjoy your hunt it is some beautiful country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WABS Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Re: Montana weather? By the way when I was there all the grizz were denned up already. Saw a little black bear sign but that was about it. Left my 44 mag pistol at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallone Posted October 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Re: Montana weather? I have the socks and the liners that wick along with my underwear which is wick away. I also just bought six pairs of 90%merino (sp) wool socks and man are those nice. I know it sounds weird talking socks but these are the first that ever went all the way to my knees! It has elastic in places to keep them up and from sliding down my foot and along with them being thick can't wait to wear them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tecumseh Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Re: Montana weather? Your going to love Montana,I've hunted the Scapegoat Wilderness Area twice I Got my first Muley last year we woke up twice and found fresh bear tracks in our camp that was in early September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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