Archery Essentials with Caleb and Bill

With the 2021 Montana elk archery season starting on September 4th, preparation is key when planning your hunt. Seasoned hunters, Western Ranch Brokers partners Bill Boyce and Caleb Campbell, offered some of their recommendations for anyone planning to get out this fall.

It’s a good idea to consult with hunters familiar with the area, season, and species you are hunting. Bill Boyce is an experienced hunter with a keen understanding of Montana temperatures and terrain. He recommends Kenetrek hunting boots to stay on the hunt.

Bill also suggests that when you’re selecting clothing for your hunt to choose wisely to withstand a variety of temperatures ranging from cold to warm within the same day. Having the right hunting clothes and boots is essential to keeping you comfortable longer and increasing your chances for a successful hunt. It’s also important to have a sharp knife, one preferably with an orange handle to make it easier to spot if dropped in the grass.

Here is a quick clothing list to look back on when packing for the day, or for your hunting trip.

Clothing

• Rain gear
• Thermal underwear
• Fleece
• Extra socks
• Extra gloves
• Warm stocking hat
• Brimmed hat for hunting
• Camouflage

Caleb, an avid hunter and 4th generation Montanan, recommends using the onX GPS App https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app to locate elk and find new access. This is a great app to use both before your hunt, and even during. In addition to knowing where to hunt, you also want to bring a trustworthy set of eyes (binoculars and/or spotting scope). Caleb recommends and uses Swarovski Optiks. https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/hunting.

When it comes to elk hunting, Caleb also recommends bringing along essentials such as snacks and waterproof matches.

Hunting Essentials

• Trail snacks (jerky, dried fruit, Granola)
• Small daypack
• Compass
• Bright tape to mark trails
• Rifle/bow
• Ammunition/arrows
• Tags/licenses/hunter education certificate
• Binoculars
• Maps
• Waterproof matches
• Lighter
• Tinder material
• Toilet paper
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Game bag
• Trash Bags
• Fishing Supplies
• Utensils
• Cooking stove
• Hand/dish soap
• Knife
• Folding saw
• Cooking pot with lid
• Water bottle
• Thermos
• Rope to hang game

This year’s archery season runs from September 4th through October 17th. It is every hunter’s responsibility to know the land ownership of the area he or she intends to hunt and any land-use restrictions that may apply there.

If you’re ever in doubt about the licensing basics, regulations, seasons, etc. it is always better to be safe than sorry. A good resource for accurate information can be found at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt. There is also a hunt planner that was recently updated with the latest technology to use on your phone. The Hunt Planner combines updated maps with hunting regulations and statistics. You can begin planning your hunt by opening a map or viewing the district details for a specific district. Launching the district details provides you with the opportunity to view district-specific hunting regulations, harvest statistics, and maps. Click here for more info https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/planahunt.

We trust you gained some useful information and that you’re on your way to a prosperous hunting season. As Fred Bear once said, “Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.”

Dreaming of hunting on your own property? Check out our properties.