The long anticipated 2017 Montana Hunting Trip is nearing a close. What a season it has been.
First off, Rodger, aka Truckdriver and I started planning a get together to hunt elk and deer last winter when we met for lunch in Maryland with our wives. Rodger had learned of my previous successes hunting from Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder Montana and asked if I would show him around a bit as he wanted to hunt unguided. With Outfitter Donna Tate McDonald’s approval I agreed to hunt with Rodger in National Forest areas that I was familiar with prior to my two weeks of guided hunting.
Rodger and I are approaching senior status, and we are not in top physical condition to tackle the highest of the Rocky Mountain peaks in pursuit of the elusive wapiti. We did put our boots to the ground and cover significant distances to get us into elk and mule deer looking territory, but the weather, primarily wind and mild temperatures, made the critters scarce where we sought them.
Following the first few days hunting with Rodger I embarked on my two weeks of guided hunting for elk and mule deer. It appeared that the mule deer were just starting their rut as we found a nice 4X4 buck with his does at an initial distance of nearly 400 yds that grew to about 600yds before I could get a shot. After making a big circle around the herd we approached from a different direction. While using a fence post as a rest, I unsuccessfully tried two shots at the buck. Then, assisted by my guide, who ranged the buck at 296 yards, and using a Bog-Pod shooting tripod provided by the guide I connected and harvested the buck with a shot through the lungs as he angled away for an exit.
Before daylight a few days later my guide took me to an area that he was familiar with frequented by elk. Shortly after sunrise a herd of elk appeared, and I got on the shooting tripod, checked the head of the lead cow for antlers, of which there were none, (I am interested in elk meat vs huge racks), then I turned my focus and the scope to the chest and squeezed the trigger. The cow ran a short distance and dropped to a single 30-06 180grain Nosler Partition fired from about 100 yards.
It is impossible to overstate the value of professional guides, such as those retained by Upper Canyon Outfitters. Many are young, local fellows who have been raised in the area and their knowledge of the land and the animals we pursue is second to none.
First off, Rodger, aka Truckdriver and I started planning a get together to hunt elk and deer last winter when we met for lunch in Maryland with our wives. Rodger had learned of my previous successes hunting from Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder Montana and asked if I would show him around a bit as he wanted to hunt unguided. With Outfitter Donna Tate McDonald’s approval I agreed to hunt with Rodger in National Forest areas that I was familiar with prior to my two weeks of guided hunting.
Rodger and I are approaching senior status, and we are not in top physical condition to tackle the highest of the Rocky Mountain peaks in pursuit of the elusive wapiti. We did put our boots to the ground and cover significant distances to get us into elk and mule deer looking territory, but the weather, primarily wind and mild temperatures, made the critters scarce where we sought them.
Following the first few days hunting with Rodger I embarked on my two weeks of guided hunting for elk and mule deer. It appeared that the mule deer were just starting their rut as we found a nice 4X4 buck with his does at an initial distance of nearly 400 yds that grew to about 600yds before I could get a shot. After making a big circle around the herd we approached from a different direction. While using a fence post as a rest, I unsuccessfully tried two shots at the buck. Then, assisted by my guide, who ranged the buck at 296 yards, and using a Bog-Pod shooting tripod provided by the guide I connected and harvested the buck with a shot through the lungs as he angled away for an exit.
Before daylight a few days later my guide took me to an area that he was familiar with frequented by elk. Shortly after sunrise a herd of elk appeared, and I got on the shooting tripod, checked the head of the lead cow for antlers, of which there were none, (I am interested in elk meat vs huge racks), then I turned my focus and the scope to the chest and squeezed the trigger. The cow ran a short distance and dropped to a single 30-06 180grain Nosler Partition fired from about 100 yards.
It is impossible to overstate the value of professional guides, such as those retained by Upper Canyon Outfitters. Many are young, local fellows who have been raised in the area and their knowledge of the land and the animals we pursue is second to none.
