I am currently planning a trip with my two sons to Montana for the 2007 Elk season Nov. 10-24. We plan self-guided hunts in the Pintler and Anaconda Forest between Sula and Wisdom. We are pure southern boys from Tennessee and are green as heck when it comes to Elk Hunting. We are very accomplished whitetail hunters but this is a whole different thing. Any help regarding area hunting, links for info, tips etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Congrats on your up coming trip to Montana. You are very wise to be planning this far ahead. Here are a few things I would offer. To me it appears that you will be hunting in both the Bitterroot Nat'l Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Nat'l Forest. First thing I'd do, if you haven't already done it, is to get a map of the area. You can do this by calling the Bitterroot Nat'l Forest (406-363-7100) and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge at (406-683-3900) and order maps, as you will primarily be on government lands. When you are talking with them, I would be sure to ask about areas with motor vehicle travel restrictions. Some areas could be closed to vehicle travel, and most areas have restrictions for off road travel with ATV's. Basically any off road motorized vehicle travel is prohibited. Being the time year you are going, be prepared weather wise for changing conditions. Weather can be brutal that time of year. Make sure you have a chainsaw and ax. For your vehicle, take along tire chains, shovel, and tow strap. These are popular areas to elk hunt, so don't be surprised to find alot of other people hunting in these areas. Safety would be my biggest concern. Hope this helps a little--tr

moose2 has given you some very good advice. I might add that be prepared to hunt hard and read everything you can on Elk hunting. In the forested area I hunt them in, they are harder to come by than whitetail, and you know how smart whitetail are......

Check out guide services in the region. You may be surprised at the cost of "drop camp" elk hunts. The advantage is getting into more remote country where elk populations are assured and having a method of getting that bull elk back to human population. Even if you elect to hunt on your own, guide services can provide a list of things they deem important.

Where I guide elk usually requires above average physical conditioning. The area is tough with many ridges to climb and streams to ford. Being in excellent shape is a big plus.

I really appreciate the comments. Now just would like some feelings on the type of weapon I will be using. I just purchased a Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter in .300 Win. Mag. I have a Leopould 4.5 x14 Varx III scope. I will be using Hornaby 180 grain high mag. bullets. In all of the posts I have read, I seen no one using this type of rifle. It is a little late to change now since I have already purchased the rifle, but would like your feedback. I know there is the problem of getting a second shot off, but I will never take a shot that I know I cannot make. As a boy in Louisiana I hunted with the Stevens single barrel 12 ga. shotgun and could get off two shots fairly quick. I feel it is a matter of what you feel comfortable with. Comments?

Good Luck with your upcoming hunt. I'm sure you will have a great time and really enjoy the country. Just a couple more thoughts for what they're worth. You have plenty of gun and scope for this hunt. I would hunt on 4 power. That time of year, things can happen in a hurry. Better to be at a lower power. Being you will be in the Big Hole area, alot of these elk are being pushed out over into Idaho. State line area is a good place to keep as a backup plan. One last heads up. In the last few years there has been considerable wildfire activity in the Sula area. If you talk with any of the local Forests, I would try to get an assement of the scope of these burns in the area you plan to hunt. It could have an influence on your choice of hunting areas. The Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation in Missoula, Mt. 406-523-4500, could also be a good source of information on fire activities and a good place to get topo maps. Have fun!--tr

moose2 Thanks a lot. I have a cousin that lives in Hamilton and has been there for 19 years. He runs drop camps during the season. I will be hunting with him and I hope he is on top of the burns. Thanks and you take care.