Guest figam Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 Three of us hope to archery hunt Monana's District 622 for Elk this fall. This will be our first time in the area. We need all the assistance we can get as to where to hunt, camp, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 Can't help you on your question, but, will welcome you to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 Welcome to the forums. On this particular hunt you will probably experience a lot more hunting pressure than anticipated. If memory serves me correctly, this area is relatively open and spot and stalk may be your best option. There are some good quality bulls but you will need to get as far off the beaten path as possible. Concentrating on water holes is also a good option unless the weather when you are there brings a lot of rain. Try to limit calling, using mainly cow calls. Get in shape to do a lot of walking and be prepared to get your elk back to your rig. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 get ahold of the local game warden. he'll be of immense help. you may also contact the chamber of commerce in the nearest town. maybe get a list of ranchers who allow you to cross their land enroute to hunting. they often help, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugleward Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 That is a very good spot. I didn't catch where you are from but if you have white tail treestand abilities you will do quite well in the right spot. There are tons of elk and tons of big bulls. Water holes will probably not be any use. There are millions of gallons a minute flowing right through there. The entire area is within an easy walk for elk from the Missouri river. Which by the way is not even a hesitation for any of the elk there. They will cross the river like it is not even there -- won't even break stride when they get to it. I'm not exactly sure where 622 is but I think it includes the UL Bend wilderness. That's a very good spot. I saw a 440 type of bull in there from the airplane and lots of other elk. For the most part your best bet is close to the river in the willows, aspens and cottonwoods. A 340 bull will be a satellite bull in there for the most part. If you are looking for the high end of the bulls there 390, is possible. In the past there have even been 460 bulls spotted there. I have seen three over 400 myself. I took video of a bull we named Godzilla that was every bit of 395. I have about 2 hours of him rutting and fighting. He ran off a bunch of bulls and even a very massive 360 plus bull. It's a very exciting place. The post above is right about the hunting pressure though. Back in the day when I spent every fall there I would see 4 to 6 six point bulls a day. Opportunities at 300 class bulls almost every day. I just never got the job done on one of those 360 plus types. I easily could have taken legal elk every day. Just hunt them like you would a white tail. Absolutely do not call to the elk. They will run away. I guarentee it. Do have a cow call handy to stop them for a shot though. I promise -- if you try to call them you will blow your opportunity. If you are not extremely good at cow calls with a mouth diaphragm, be sure to pick up a Hoochie Momma call from Primos. That sucker actually sounds like a cow elk. More so than any other commercial call. The only one better is the mouth diaphragm in the mouth of someone who really knows how to use it. There are some good opportunities in the coulees up in the higher country. If you can find a secluded coulee that has some elk activity in it and has a wallow, that would be a very good bet too. Just treat them like a very smart old white tail buck. In that area forget about the movies videos and TV shows about elk. They will not act that way there. Heavy hunting pressure by beginners -- all of them with a pack full of calls they can't resist blowing and have no idea how to use. Lots of year round human pressure. The biggest reason I think is the elk there live longer than any where else in Montana. The learn. When you get there and see the elk on the sanctuary laughing at you -- you will know what I am talking about. They know exactly where the boundary is and they know when a half hour before sunrise is. Easily the smartest elk I have ever been around. That includes AZ, CO, WY, SD, NM and MT. Just look for elk activity and set a tree stand with wind and sun in mind just like a big old smart white tail. Bring a small boat or canoe to get to the islands. They can be very good too. Good luck guys. Be sure to post pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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