Montana Elk Nov 1-8

[matchu865]

Hi folks,

Since my buddy canceled on me, I am now planning to Elk hunt solo Nov 1-8 in Montana on a general/combo license.

Since camping alone can get a bit lonely/boring, I'm interested in either teaming up or finding someone to camp with part or all of the time. I also figured I'd post this in case someone is in a similar situation, or just wants to make a new hunting friend.

A little bit more about me and my plans:

- Plan to go to the Southwest portion of the state. I've been e-scouting GMUs that are open to antlerless and brow-tined bulls as I'm totally content harvesting a cow.
- I plan to day hunt from base camp or the truck. I'm flexible on moving camp but likely will try to set up for 2-3 days minimum at a spot. With a friend or two, I would've considered a drop-camp setup but by myself, and without intimate knowledge of the area, I figured I'd save that for another trip.
- I'm no superstar, but I'm 31 and in good physical shape. I recently got back from an 8-day backcountry bear hunt where I did 1-3K ft and 4-10 miles per day from basecamp with no problem. Camp was 11-miles from the truck, but we had stock for the pack in/out.
- I'm experienced in camping and backcountry hunting, but not very experienced with elk hunting specifically. The previous 3 years I've been successful hunting the alpine in SE Alaska for Sitka blacktails. I'm normally the trip organizer and have, or can arrange for, all the required gear.
- I live in the Seattle area and plan to drive out Oct 31/Nov 1.
- In addition to big game I also like to waterfowl and upland hunt, as well as fish.
- I have a post here as well, if you thought this looks familiar: Link

Best,
Matt

 

[Sodak_Lewno]

I will be hunting a similar area, perhaps the same unit the week before (unless I got my dates badly messed up). I have a cousin going along but I do wish you luck in finding someone to be around. You can certainly message me the Unit in case either plans change.

Sounds like you are experienced but nothing helps like having a buddy what with the bears, wolves, weather, packing, slope, terrain, and numerous other factors.

 

[mtshooter]

I'll be in the eastern side of the state around then. Good luck!

 

[Chris in TN]

Posts like this make me wish I was younger and lived further west.

I have on multiple occasions in life planned 'big things' that I invited people to come along for. People always cancel. My first real introduction to it was when I took up skydiving, and, look, I understand canceling that. It still stinks.

Whatever you do - don't cancel. Go alone if you have to, but go. As the poem goes, the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, and being alone will accentuate this. Go anyway.

 

[matchu865]

Posts like this make me wish I was younger and lived further west.

I have on multiple occasions in life planned 'big things' that I invited people to come along for. People always cancel. My first real introduction to it was when I took up skydiving, and, look, I understand canceling that. It still stinks.

Whatever you do - don't cancel. Go alone if you have to, but go. As the poem goes, the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, and being alone will accentuate this. Go anyway.

Thanks for the encouragement!

I always encourage myself to 'just go' by remembering one of the best days I had fishing. My friend and I had been unsuccessful a few times at a spot fishing for Silvers, probably just a bit early and with low water. Well, the weekend rolls around and we made plans to drive out there early (2-3am), but when I get to his house, he doesn't answer 15 or so calls and a knock on the door so I decide to just drive out to the river 3hrs by myself instead of going back to bed. Well, when I get to the river, I limit in about 10 mins in just a few cast with some nice chrome fish, text him the pictures, and then enjoy breakfast and a leisurely trip back home.