I've heard about the resident nonresident oppurtunity thing for years.

I'd be willing to bet that the average nonresident spends more time hunting elk then the resident does. When it comes time for the shot,both are on average moderately skilled rifle shots and both will take shots well beyond their capabilities.With little regard for possible outcome.

It is my firm belief that if you don't have access to several places to practice at 500 yards, you have no business shooting that far.

With that in mind, I would assume that most residents of the West are better long range shots simply for that reason.

Another reason: even if you can shoot a long ways away in the Midwest and East, it is often thru a narrow cut through timber, in effect, shielding you from the wind.

I think it is important to shoot in a variety of areas; after a while, you learn the little nuances of the place you shooting too well, and you will find that you subconsciously do things you otherwise wouldn't do.

In respect to the resident vs. non-resident time hunting maybe I should qualify that a bit more.

If you're a guided non-resident you have to book your hunt about now for Montana, will the elk move into or out of your outfitters area next Nov. due to weather? Even if you're not guided which week will be the one you choose? Plan late and heavy snow might make getting to your spot impossible or move the elk somewhere else. Plan early and you might wish you brought more sun block and hiking shorts while you look for elk that are nocturnal and somewhere else.

True, many residents don't actually spend as much time, in a straight block of 5 to 10 days, as some non-residents; but, here's the rub if the non-resident guesses wrong on the week or two weeks he's scheduled to hunt, can he, or rather will he be able to come back later? Some areas are good at any time others are devoid of elk if the weather is warm and crawling with elk if we have a week of heavy snow. The resident hunter might not guess right on his vaction time, but he can always come back later on weekends. ELk season for Montana residents can involve 4 weekends plus a 3 or 4 day hunt over Thanksgiving, that's ten days at least. Throw in a week of vacation time and you've got some serious elk hunting time spread out over the entire 5 weeks.

Timing can be as important, if not more so, than time.

AZ Writer you're advice is very sound.

Practice: There is NO substitute.

quote:

Another reason: even if you can shoot a long ways away in the Midwest and East, it is often thru a narrow cut through timber, in effect, shielding you from the wind.

Don't forget about the wide open Farm land that streches all around the country in the central, eastern, and southern parts of this great country.

Here in the Delta we have crop land that you can shoot as far as you want to in and wind is definitely part of the equation.

I will say it's more of a constant wind compared to your Western winds. Every time I've hunted in the mountains or hills in the West, the winds varied greatly from one peak or valley to the next which can greatly effect your shots at long range.

Reloader

Reloader:

I have lived all over, and the reason I live where I do is that I can shoot as far as I want. When I lived/had a house in MN I was limited to shooting thru narrow lanes of woods. In the East, I was hard pressed to find anywhere I could shoot beyond 350 yards.

I travel a good bit in Louisiana - yes there are open fields - and certainly not limited to a 40 (440 yards long). If you get to shoot in them, good for you. Any problems with a backstop?

#1-how many elk have you either taken, and or been side by side of the shooter at a lasered 500 yds?


None: but I have taken a couple at over 400 yards and 3-4 moose at that range as well

#2-what rounds did you use?

338 Win Mag-225 and 250 Gr Noslers
270 Win 130 gr Grand slams
300 Wby Mag-190 gr Hornadies
30-06- 165 Gr Sierras


#3-how often do you hunt elk?
Every year for a minimum of 8-10 days

#4-when hunting elk is it on your own, or outfitted?
Always on my own

#5-how many elk have you personnally taken?

7

quote:

If you get to shoot in them, good for you. Any problems with a backstop?

No, not at all. No different than hunting in the mountains, open plains, or brush country...There's always a chance that a bullet could deflect in many directions. That's why it's always good to know what lies beyond your target.

Reloader