Elk shoulder season Montana

[GHOSTofWENDELL]

I have never had luck finding permission to fill any cow tags during the late shoulder season around central Montana. It always seems that they outfit and do not allow hunters to come in for it, I have offered working and helping around the property when I could and still no luck. Anyone have any leads on landowners that allow shoulder season hunters/ or any tips in general?

 

[widnert]

I can suggest looking for the Block Management Areas in the area you're hunting and review the rules for each. These are all private land and qualify for the shoulder season, if the landowner has things setup on their end. All the BMAs enrolled should say something on the print-out page about the shoulder season or dates. If you're unsure, call the FWP office with the BMA number and ask them. I've been finding some late season opportunities in my area to get the wife on a cow in this way.

 

[MTguy0341]

^^ What he said. Pull up OnX and the fwp site. Find your block management areas. The property overlay will give you the BMA number. If you look that up on fwp it'll pull up the info on that specific property. Some will have specific rules such as that properties dates it allows hunting. Just gotta do a little research. There's plenty of opportunities out there.

 

[DWBMontana]

I would begin knocking on doors in the summer, when most ranchers are not quite so busy and being bothered by others seeking permission. Become a member of the community where you live in Montana. Volunteer with local groups, helping others, this is a great way to show Montanan's that you are not just trying to take, but rather give back to the community, this does a lot! It does not take long to make friends here in Montana and usually those friends sooner or later will have a good contact to hunt elk.

 

[bsnedeker]

It does not take long to make friends here in Montana and usually those friends sooner or later will have a good contact to hunt elk.

Man, this is SO true! The people of Montana that i have encountered have been some of the most generous people I've met. Coming from Minneapolis where it is nearly impossible to make friends if you weren't born and raised here it is shocking to me how open people are. I made more friends in the 20 days I spent hunting Montana this year then I have in the last 5 years in Minnesota! And the best part is ALL of the folks I met in Montana are eager to help me find hunting opportunities!

 

[Forest]

be careful with the bma's. I know in my area there are some that are not open for elk in the shoulder season (no idea why) but they still show up on my OnX. So be sure to check which ones are still open!!

 

[GHOSTofWENDELL]

I would begin knocking on doors in the summer, when most ranchers are not quite so busy and being bothered by others seeking permission. Become a member of the community where you live in Montana. Volunteer with local groups, helping others, this is a great way to show Montanan's that you are not just trying to take, but rather give back to the community, this does a lot! It does not take long to make friends here in Montana and usually those friends sooner or later will have a good contact to hunt elk.

Been here for nine years man. Active member of the community, I hunt public land 99% of the time. Just did not fill my elk tag during archery this year. You assume alot by what you said. Thanks for the info.

 

[rustneversleeps]

I also know plenty of Montanan's (good hunters) that keep their mouth shut about any hunting regardless if they are your friend or not...

 

[GHOSTofWENDELL]

That is true and I totally understand. I have gained some good info for example, I almost have never looked into BMAs for the shoulder season. If I would of just filled this tag in September there would of been no issue anyways! Lol

 

[DWBMontana]

Been here for nine years man. Active member of the community, I hunt public land 99% of the time. Just did not fill my elk tag during archery this year. You assume alot by what you said. Thanks for the info.

Your op was about filling cow tag, correct in shoulder season? Most shoulder season is on private ground. It was a comment in general, sorry you felt it was an insult, was not meant to be, good luck on your search.