WPFY543
FNG
Hoping someone with experience around the Bozeman area can help me with some general guidance. As always, not looking for your secret spot.
I have harvested a few elk with a rifle in CO, but am excited for my first archery hunt in MT this September. Work forces me to be a weekend warrior and I will be staying back in Bozeman during the week. I expect that the majority of my time will be spent hunting solo as friends have their own hunt plans. Expectations are reasonable and just getting into elk is my primary focus. I used to live in Bozeman so I am familiar with SW MT, but I did not get a chance to hunt big game.
Question is this - I have been e-scouting about 3 hours from Bozeman but have I overlooked good terrain for an archery rookie? I've got a few spots picked out but don't have my hunt plan finalized. I don't want to make the mistake of passing elk to get to elk. I also don't want to waste precious time in the truck when I could have boots on the ground. Plan is to truck camp, keep hikes relatively short, and stay mobile.
GoHunt has been a great resource, but I think it scared me off from the areas within an hour of BZN due to ridiculous crowds, more grizzlies, and heavily pressured elk. Appreciate any general guidance and, again, don't want anyone giving up their spot. Just trying to decide if I should refocus my hunt area given my goals and limited time.
I have harvested a few elk with a rifle in CO, but am excited for my first archery hunt in MT this September. Work forces me to be a weekend warrior and I will be staying back in Bozeman during the week. I expect that the majority of my time will be spent hunting solo as friends have their own hunt plans. Expectations are reasonable and just getting into elk is my primary focus. I used to live in Bozeman so I am familiar with SW MT, but I did not get a chance to hunt big game.
Question is this - I have been e-scouting about 3 hours from Bozeman but have I overlooked good terrain for an archery rookie? I've got a few spots picked out but don't have my hunt plan finalized. I don't want to make the mistake of passing elk to get to elk. I also don't want to waste precious time in the truck when I could have boots on the ground. Plan is to truck camp, keep hikes relatively short, and stay mobile.
GoHunt has been a great resource, but I think it scared me off from the areas within an hour of BZN due to ridiculous crowds, more grizzlies, and heavily pressured elk. Appreciate any general guidance and, again, don't want anyone giving up their spot. Just trying to decide if I should refocus my hunt area given my goals and limited time.