Montana elk and mule deer

[SStech]

Hi, this is my first post on rokslide. I have along history at archerytalk.com same handle. Im planning a diy hunt in Montana for archery elk and mule deer. Im not looking for spots. Im looking to converse with an experienced hunter in grizzly bear territory. Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[jjordan355]

What all do you wanna know? A lot of people kinda blow the grizzly thing out of proportion, but there are some areas that you definitely need to cross your T’s and mind yourself at in Montana when hunting.

 

[Silveroddo]

I've been meaning to get a general discussion going on bears in SW Montana, seems like every year someone gets chewed on and/or a couple bears get shot. I'm hunting in a bear dense area and I've been fairly comfortable doing so, but I'm trying to stay cognizant of the risks. Anyone hunting within 80 miles of the park and had it go sideways the last season or 2?

 

[SStech]

I was wondering who uses bear fence around camp? If so do you cook and eat and have camp fires? Im bringing my cargo trailer/camper. Does everyone still hike in the dark like a normal hunt or is it too risky? Anyone having success truck camper hunting and just hiking into wilderness areas for the day? Can I find glassing spots in most wilderness areas. My western hunting experience is limited to az mule deer n javelina. Much lower elevation. I will be using multiple tactics besides glassing.

 

[jjordan355]

I was wondering who uses bear fence around camp? If so do you cook and eat and have camp fires? Im bringing my cargo trailer/camper. Does everyone still hike in the dark like a normal hunt or is it too risky? Anyone having success truck camper hunting and just hiking into wilderness areas for the day? Can I find glassing spots in most wilderness areas. My western hunting experience is limited to az mule deer n javelina. Much lower elevation. I will be using multiple tactics besides glassing.

Glassing will be your best friend for mule deer or elk unless you sit on top of a herd of elk by pure luck. Google earth is a better friend than onx is to get a sense of the tree density. Get a high vantage point that you can see 250+ degrees on. I hike in the dark in griz country but I usually use a red headlamp unless the moon is really bright. I don’t use bear fences and don’t know anyone that does. Most of my meals are dehydrated food or sandwiches that go back into the cab of the truck and locked when I’m done eating. I truck hunt/camp a lot that way I can move if the spot is a bust.

 

[jtevanMT]

I hunt a lot in griz areas. This was a bad year for bears, had 3 close encounters in 2025. First was a sow and cub at 25 yards, second was single boar at 4-5 yards, third was a bear in the dark at ~50-70 yard. All 3 resulted in the bears running away without incident. 10mm Glock pulled all 3 times.

A few rules we follow-
1. Always Carry bear spray or pistol
2. Never hunt alone
3. Backpack hunting- No food, toothpaste, deodorant, etc in or near tent.
4. Designated cooking, eating and food storage area 50-100 yards from tents.
6. Use gutless method to quarter or bone-out game. Store meat away from carcass and far from camp.
7. No bloody clothes or boost in tent.
8. If you harvest an animal early in the hunt, stay away from that area from the remainder of the hunt.

We do not use an electric fence. Avoid areas with lots of fresh bear sign. If hunting from a camper, food storage and preparation is much easier. We travel too/from hunting areas in the dark.