October
The only state that offers Octo-
ber elk bowhunting is Montana. As
far as rutting action is concerned,
it’s still going full bore, and the
woods are much less crowded —
most bowhunters have filled their
tags, quit or gone home for white-
tails.
This stage of the game can be good,
especially for calling in a mature
bull. As the number of estrous cows
dwindles and herds begin to disinte-
grate, big bulls finally start to roamin search of females. Get the picture?
Kinda sound like mature whitetail
bucks in late November, don’t they?
The main consideration during
your time afield this month will be
Montana’s weather. Depending on
the year, troublesome winter condi-
tions can already be on the scene in
October, and the higher elevations
can quickly become inaccessible.
Some areas may become off-limits
because of quagmires on dirt roads
and/or road closures in remote ar-
eas. In other words, you may be
fighting Mother Nature come Octo-
ber. Or you may have bluebird skies.
Montana is funny like that.
Wherever and whenever you
choose to bowhunt elk, the most
important thing is to just do it! No
greater challenge can be found; no
greater quarry awaits; no better habi-
tat beckons. A freezer full of meat
and a majestic set of antlers may lie
within your reach, so get out there
and learn the ropes. Even if you don’t
notch a tag for a few years, stay with
it — you’ll eventually figure it all out,
and you’ll be a better bowhunter for
having simply tried.The author with one of his many
bow-killed elk. While this one is a
real monster, any DIY public-land
bull is a trophy.