We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
North Central Montana is known across the land for a few things in general, Farming, Ranching, unparalleled Pheasant hunting and Big Game Hunting. Each fall the Blaine County Journal takes pride in recognizing our young hunters as they successfully tag their first deer or elk during rifle season. Hunting in Montana is to some a rite of passage, to many a way of life and to the patient, adventurous hunter Archery is the way to get the fall started properly.
Unlike rifle season where hunters can harvest an animal from hundreds of yards, Archery requires a whole new set of skills. For one being able to accurately shoot a bow powerful enough to do the job is a unique skill of its own that requires a significant amount of practice. State of the art equipment can certainly help, but skill is ultimately what leads to a successful shot. Second, an archery hunter must know their way around the woods, the animal they are pursuing and have the patience to get close enough to take the shot. Many archery hunters will never successfully harvest a big game animal but for the ones that do, the reward can be breathtaking. Recently two local hunters successfully harvest trophy Bull Elk. Luke Whitney and Merle Young were happy to share the tale of their hunts with our readers.
Whitney shot his Bull Elk on Sunday, September 11, 2022, "It was an absolutely perfect morning, about 40 degrees and a slight east wind. I was hunting alone in the little Rockies where I've hunted the last eight years, so I know the area well." Whitney began his hunt on Thursday, before filling his tag on Sunday. "I was actually walking in to just do some scouting, there were four other guys at hunting camp, but we had all split up to find some elk because the hunting wasn't great. I came up to a reservoir and saw two rag horns and the bull I ended up walking up the side hill."
Whitney was far from shooting range and began his approach, "I waited for them to get out of sight and made a quick walk towards them. I got to about 130 yards when the first rag horn came into sight, so I had to get down and wait again. After five minutes the second rag horn appeared, and I could hear the bigger bull raking a tree." Whitney patiently took his time, "I had to wait about ten minutes for the second rag horns to walk over the crest of the hill and get out of sight. The whole time I could hear the other bull just raking the hell out of this big tree. Once the two rags finally got out of sight, I made my move taking steps whenever I heard the bull thrashing the tree."
Slowly, Whitney inched closer and closer until he was within shooting range, "I got to 45 yards and sat there for another ten minutes waiting for him to step out from behind the tree. He finally did and I made the shot. I hit him a little far back, so I opted to let him be for a couple hours and I went to the cabin and got the rest of the guys, and we went back in there and found him. We had to quarter him out and pack him maybe 400 yards to the side by side." Whitney stated later that the score of the rack didn't matter at that point, it was his first Bull, and he can't wait to get back out there again next year.
Ironically Young harvested his Bull Elk on Sunday, September 11 as well. Merle is a veteran archer, having successfully harvest ten Bull Elk in all now. Young ranches out south in the Bear Paws and hunts there as well. He is obviously extremely familiar with the land and approaches his annual hunts a bit different than most do, "I hunt alone most of the time and I was by myself on this hunt. I don't really scout for elk because they move around so much."
Young filled his tag on his fourth day of hunting, "The weather was cool and calm in the morning but heated up as the day went on and there was lots of smoke from the fire on Baldy. I don't usually hunt specific bulls, I like to be able to just go chase elk and enjoy the full experience, spotting and stalking them." Even to a veteran hunter it's still pretty exciting, "It was a pretty special morning, there were elk bugling and cow elk taking. I think being able to get in close and just watch elk be elk is a pretty special experience. I would say the most exhilarating thing that happened though is when a big bull chased a little bull right to me and past me within just a few yards."
The Blaine County Journal is always happy to share stories of successful hunts involving local sportsman. If you have a tale to tell of a hunt you would like to share, let us know and we will share your story with our readers if possible.
