DIY Montana Elk Hunting with Garrett Burback

New York Native Garrett Burback, owner of Lesser Wilderness Guide Services in Pulaski, NY is with us this week to share his experiences with DIY elk hunting in Montana bear country. Many of us dream of DIY elk hunting and Montana is a great place to do it. Listen closely to the advice Garrett is offering as it will surely help shorten your learning curve.

How did you get into hunting, who exposed you to it, and how old were you when you were exposed to it?

When I was 12 years old my father passed away unexpectedly. He was a cattle dealer and a dairy farmer; he was not a hunter. After his death, I think a lot of people felt sorry for me and as a result, many of them shared the knowledge that would normally be passed on to their children. I grew up on a dairy farm that was converted to a horse stable so farriers, veterinarians, trainers and carpenters influenced me. However, the most influential person during this time was Chub. Chub and I met when I was 14. He was known locally as an accomplished outdoorsman and his Mohawk lineage added to his reputation. He took me salmon fishing and squirrel hunting early on in my youth. Every trip was an adventure and Chub’s skill and knowledge of the woods and river inspired me. I was immediately hooked and became obsessed with the outdoors. Chub, who is now 72, is one of my best friends and is the closest resemblance I have to a father. We still hunt and fish together to this day.

Can you talk about your Montana elk hunting trips -how did you choose the location, species, trip planning etc?

I love hunting turkeys because I love game calling and, to me, archery elk is the pinnacle. Growing up, I dreamed of chasing elk in the mountains. Elk were large, loud and mystical – unlike the quiet, sneaky whitetail deer I was accustomed to hunting in New York. However, I was limited financially and wasn’t sure when it would be feasible for me to hunt out west. Everyone I knew that had been elk hunting hired a guide and hunted on private property. When I stumbled upon Steven Rinella and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA),  a whole new world suddenly opened up. I learned about our federally managed public lands, found that I didn’t need a private landowner’s permission and I wasn’t required to hire a guide. It wasn’t long after that I was heading west. My first attempt was in Colorado and, sadly, I returned home with my tail between my legs. I had taken advice from a friend of a friend on a location and invested all my chips. In hind sight, that was a mistake. I should have had a backup plan. A few years later I tried Montana with five potential locations to investigate and the fifth turned out to be the one.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from hunting on your own in Montana?

No amount of research can teach you what you’ll learn from on the ground experience. The mountains and forest always look different than what you envision and nobody is going to tell you where to find the elk. The only reliable way to track them down is by foot. You also have to remember that, unfortunately, success rate statistics are accurate. There will be times that you are cold, miserable and lonely.  It’s very likely that you will want to quit. Even if you find the strength to power through adversity, you will probably go home humbled and empty handed. Sounds fun right? But, adversity can be the greatest teacher and I promise that there will be joyful memories that stay in your mind indefinitely.

What piece of gear has been the best investment?

My boots and optics have definitely been my best investment. I’ve seen too many companions incapacitated by failed or poor fitting boots. I choose to wear Schnee’s because they are durable and fit me perfectly.

My binoculars are invaluable to me and they are with me during every hunt, even while I’m hunting squirrels. I use my Vortex 8x most often for their large field of view. I use them in thick forest to peer through branches and brush, I use them from elevated positions overlooking open space and I even use them to view the stars. Sometimes, I will mount them on a tripod aimed at the night sky. It’s amazing how many stars slip the naked eye’s detection and proof of how important good optics and a stable platform are.

What do you want to improve on in your gear list?

Bear deterrent, hands down. I do carry bear spray with me but it doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzy feeling I wish it would. Most people I meet hunting in Montana are sporting Harry Callahan’s cannon and will typically comment on my lack of weaponry. This worries me. I know the studies and facts concerning the effectiveness of bear spray and also of the inherent risk of handguns. However, I’m considering bringing a gun in the future.

What piece of advice would you give someone who is just starting out, dreams about doing a western hunt and is still putting the pieces together?

Go now, don’t wait! Your only regret will be that you did not go sooner. What you think is important now will change after your first trip. So get that first trip in! Learning how to break down and pack out your animal is essential. If this concept is new to you, start here at home even when you don’t have to. This applies to new and seasoned hunters. Packing out an animal is a skill that requires practical application to learn. Because I do my own butchering, I found this to be the most efficient use of my energy. Spinal cord, hooves, hide and, of course, entrails stay in the field; bone-in quarters, neck, ribs, edible organs and the skull get strapped to my back. You can age meat in game bags or coolers if desired. It surprises me that backcountry hunters on the east coast haven’t adopted this tactic. Perhaps it’s because we relish the “drag from hell” story many of us are familiar with.

What trips are you planning over the next 3-4 years?

This year, I’m planning on returning to Montana with ambitions of crossing the Idaho border. I have the logistics figured out for turkey hunts in Hawaii and Florida. I’m also planning some fly fishing trips to Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico with some close friends.

Garrett Burback is a board member of the NY Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and owner of Lesser Wilderness Guide Services in Pulaski, NY. He is a  Marine veteran, a dedicated and experienced guide, and a highly respected conservationist.