Is it even legal to hunt at 3:30 am?
Not sure why you asked that question but it's certainly not legal to hunt game animals in MT at 3:30am. Legal hunting starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset.
So why pass up an easy shot?
I think I've made the point more than a few times in this thread as to why I didn't shoot a bull from my front door. It's not that complicated.
In that scenario, you've had a nice hike, if you like hiking, but a failed hunt. As far as doing something, I have enough of that between work and family responsibilities.
I looked for those elk again this past Friday hiking 7.0 miles up and back to a really good lookout point but it was very windy so didn't get to see an elk, just a few does. I did spook a bull (based on sound of small branches breaking) less than a mile from the house on my way back down in the dark. So from your perspective another failed hunt but last week's effort worked out well for a coworker. I spent Saturday and Sunday doing numerous projects around the property including moving and splitting firewood, grading the driveway, cutting a new access road to the barn, framing the barn for a door etc., so you're not the only one with limited time to hunt. I have a job too and with the SHOT Show fast approaching I have plenty to take care of at work as well.
Here are some photos from last Friday. It was a tough day with a frozen crust on top of 12" of snow and it got old having my trailing foot being constantly grabbed by that icy layer. The howling winds kept the elk bedded down assuming that they were even in the area, but I'll be back out this week hoping for another chance before our season ends on Sunday.
Last edited: