Guys,

I have friend with 2 young boys who are itching to shoot their first big game animal. They have tags for area 700 here in MT and I am trying to find someplace to hunt. I called a rancher and he wants $250 per day, per person for 3 days. Not gunna happen. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Ski+3

I would suggest showing up 3 days before the opener and pound on doors with the young hunters in tow.Not opening morning at 5 o'clock,on block management I would overnite in the area ,not in your camper .I mean sleeping bags on the praire put the animals to bed.Other option is to contact a rural mail carrier,most like a face to face meeting and are protective of their patrons and if you show up with a posse that might be a deal killer,one vehicale is best.Good luck and good hunting

Ski

Get a BLM map, look for a canyon on BLM land on the south side of the road from Circle to Jordan. I remember it being about halfway between the two, took a deer and an antelope from there a few years ago. The deer was towards the top of the canyon, the antelope towards the bottom. They had a rough winter there this year, not sure what you'll find.

There was also a herd of antelope caught on the south side of Fort Peck Reservoir this winter when the ice melted, not sure what became of them. A call to the local warden might be a good idea, they've been helpful in the past.

There is some good hunting on Block management land just south of Colestrip. (Thats all you will get from me !!

I would love to help and in a "normal" year would say just come on down. But we don't have any in 705 this year! And neither Trophy-Wife nor I even drew Buck tags. She got a doe/fawn tag and we are just gonna keep it.

Too bad, too. We love Pronghorn meat. But for the sake of the resource, we are waiting until deer season this year to hunt.

OK, call region 7 office in Miles City,406-234-0930, request the Region 7 Block Management book. There are over 300 ranches in the area to choose from. I suggest that you pick one that is a type 2 BMA block, this will be explanined to you in the book.

Go on line to FWP site and find the map of the BMA you are interested in. Find it on Google Earth to make sure it isn't totally flat, not kidding, featureless country that will make it impossible to get within a mile of anything. Areas with large colees and breaks and limited roads discourage most people.

Larger properties are best for antelope since they will run 5 miles for the hell of it. Places that you have to walk considerable distances, one mile or more, because of limited road access are perfect. Check the maps.

Where? Scout it out, that's what everyone here has to do. But, my wife and I have taken over 60 antelope, bucks and does over the years in Region 7 and 5 and some of the best hunting we've had has been on BMA's.

I've taken a few 14"+ bucks over the years on BMA's but if your primary concern is trophy size, find a private ranch with pay as you go, $100 to $250 per day min and bring $$$$.

Thanks guys. I ordered the book today. I have shot plenty of goats. Just that all were on private land in a different area.Finding the land is the only concern. Never hunted block mgmt so this should be fun.

Ski+3

HunterMontana gave you very good advice. I would recommend avoiding Block Mgmt that is overgrazed and expect to work harder than normal this year as tags are down with high winterkill.

Ski Bum,

Hunted some of the BM areas in 700 three years ago. Opening day was a mess pure and simple. Folks on 4 wheelers, guys shooting at RUNNING antelope off of the county rds from their moving VEHICLES...it was a horror story.

The 2nd weekend was better...but the game was few and far between on BM land.

I was in a similar situation...out of state relative kid. His first Big Game hunt, etc.

IIRC the area was the MATHER Ranch.

I've got the TERRY and ANGELA area BLM maps if you want to borrow them. I can mail them out on Monday AM.

njmtca@3riversdbs.net

FN in MT