My 2010 Montana Elk Hunt

[petey]

What a great hunt! I had the privilege of hunting with Bill Hoppe of North Yellowstone Outfitters the first week of November. I***8217;m used to more of a do it yourself hunt and this particular hunt was more of a last minute arrangement, of which I did not arrange. It was a bit weird for me to just ***8220;show up***8221; not having done any homework about the area I was hunting or the people I was hunting with, but I***8217;m a very optimistic fellow, so a rolled with it. Heck it***8217;s been since the late 90***8217;s since I***8217;ve been to Gardiner, so I was just anxious to get back to that area.

I was a bit perplexed to hear the stories of the impact wolves have had on the area, but as the week rolled on it came apparent to me that those critters are not only a threat to elk that I give so much money to the RMEF to protect, but it is devastating the livelihood of many of the people that were born and raised and run businesses, such as Bill***8217;s, in Yellowstone region. Bill himself, is a 5th generation Montanan and a 4th generation outfitter. His family has a long history of outfitting that range back into the late 1800***8217;s and early 1900***8217;s just a stone***8217;s throw from the Northern gate of Yellowstone. Just to let you know how deep his roots go, his great grandfather was the first white child born in the territory of Montana in Nevada City in 1864. During the 1930***8217;s to 50***8217;s his grandfather, father and uncle owned and operated one of the most successful outfitting businesses in Jardine, Gardiner and Hell Roaring. I***8217;m a simple man, and having been there 13 years ago and being there today, that elk herd is simply put ***8220;devastated***8221;. So corrupt are people***8217;s agendas they need to look at the facts. They***8217;ve introduced a killing machine to this region and its impacts have been seen even by an individual that hasn***8217;t had to live with the day to day BS that spouts from these wolf huggers. Don***8217;t get me wrong, I have no problem with wolves, but they need managed, they are currently an uncontrolled eating machine and have devastated not only elk, but moose, livestock and much more. Oh but they are soooo cute***8230;

Bill, in my mind runs an outstanding operation, even though he***8217;s had to deal with these unruly critters. So much that 6 years ago, he obtained a 10,000 acre lease 40 miles to the North around Emigrant. Prior to our arrival he***8217;s had 100% success at opportunities at elk and 100% with deer on this property. Of course, I show up and here we have 60-75 degree weather! As most of you elk hunters know, if there***8217;s one thing that can spoil an elk hunt quicker than anything, it***8217;s the weather. I wouldn***8217;t say it spoiled my hunt one bit though. Despite the ***8220;warmer than normal***8221; conditions I saw bulls every day; Some on our property, some on neighboring property or on public land. Luckily for me, I procrastinated in deciding to go and hunt Montana, so I did not have an outfitter sponsored tag. I had a general left over Elk combo tag. The unfortunate part was that there were no deer tags left, so it was elk or nothing for me this week. Elk hunt I did!