You can begin planning your hunt using either a regional map by species or go right to the hunting district information you are interested in. They note numerous trails and seasonally closed roads in the area, along with a few campgrounds. return to the FWP Hunt Planner. Elk Hunting in Montana HD 391 - Dry Creek-Duck Creek Those portions of Broadwater and Meagher Counties lying within the following-described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the Missouri River and US Highway 12 and Route 287 north of Townsend, then northerly along the east bank of … Success rates in these units are mostly the high teens to mid 20s, which is right in line with Colorado’s general units. If you’re coming from the Midwest, consider national forests in Montana east of the Continental Divide. “A cow starts to look really good on day three of the hunt,” Baumeister says. Planner map. 25 pp. The Hunt Planner combines updated maps with hunting For example, the “road” to my family’s elk camp in the Snowcrest Mountains is just a few miles long. To figure out terrain characteristics in the hunting district(s) you plan to hunt, Forest Service route. Consider how much time you have to hunt. either a regional map by species or go right to the hunting In previous posts I have ranked the archery and rifle hunt districts (aka hunt units) for the General Elk seasons for various western states. essential. search above and cannot be opened from the individual species Ultimately, hunting success depends on a combination of these factors, hunter skill, and luck. Apparel. For additional help, I consulted two elk hunting experts. That means hiking at least four miles per day carrying a rifle and daypack. 2020 Maps from the Hunt Planner are intended only as And that’s how you plan your first For instance, elk hunting destinations in southwestern Montana are a full day’s drive from those in the northwest. Though he was a competent deer hunter, Newberg says he “made every rookie mistake in the book” in six years of trial-and-error hunting before killing his first elk. Beginning in 2018, the general elk license will now be valid for spike bull or antlerless elk … Season,” then “Elk General License.”. district regulations pages. They turn their attention farther south, where they notice that HD329 is open to antlerless regulation pages will continue to open the original Hunt Planner map Once you’ve picked a forest, take stock of your expectations. Limited Elk Download. He and a buddy, “Shawn,” have purchased Montana nonresident elk combination licenses. With more than 30 million acres of public land, there’s also space to play. Warm or close? Baumeister offers a Most harvested elk are calves and cows, and most hunters are happy to take any elk, including those without antlers. a guide. I’d say any district with a 20 percent or higher overall hunter-success rate has good potential for either-sex hunting. Get HuntInfo Premium - Click to Learn More (0) Sign-In > X. Because those figures include experienced hunters who take an elk nearly every year, the success rate of newbies is even lower. All ... General Elk Download. Along with topography, the “USA Topo” basemap identifies trails. As a general rule, elk density also increases from east to west. Lots of access often means lots of hunters. The Castle Mountains have abundant big game, including elk, mule and white-tailed deer, moose (migratory), black bear, mountain lion, prairie dog (gopher version), badgers, and antelope. But research on what part of Montana? Looking at elk hunting districts in western Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains via the FWP Hunt Planner, Kyle and Shawn find many areas open to bull hunting. districts that allow either-sex (antlerless and antlered elk) hunting. Next door, HD332 offers “brow-tined bulls only” with a general license (no permit required) and shows decent hunter-success rates. Elk are found in other areas, but most are located within a few miles of these prime locations. All of this information is well researched and described for each sub-section of all areas of Montana. This map source includes coverage for all 19 management units in Utah and is based on the official boundaries published by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Download and print hunt maps for Montana. ... Look for my next post where I will rank the best general elk hunt units by the number of elk harvested and by hunter success. Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts. Forums Log in Try free! buy one unsold nonresident general season deer and/or elk tag at the nonresident price, starting August 1, to be used as a second tag except second deer tags cannot be used in Units 10, 10A, 12, 16A, 17, 19 and 20. Directly across the road is a general unit where we conduct our general tag hunts. He still The new map does not interact with the species West of a line from Billings to Glacier National Park, every national forest in Montana holds elk. Read on to discover some of the best units and areas to consider when applying for elk, mule deer, or pronghorn tags out West. After launching the “Hunt Planner Map,” use “Map Tools” to examine a topographical map to assess terrain near roads in terms of slope and available trails. The southern end of the Pioneers it is. If you live in Montana, focus on a “But you need to be fit. Initially our plan was to archery hunt (elk focused) in September and then return in November for the rifle season (deer focused).His dad and two brothers were also planning on hunting the rifle season but did not draw. The general season antlerless elk damage tag replaces 19 controlled hunts and will replace the need for Landowner Damage Program tags in the areas and during the time periods of the hunts. Pp. Where to Hunt Elk in Montana ... After launching “Hunt Planner Map,” click “Harvest Opportunities 2017 Season,” then “Elk General Season,” then “Elk General License.” ... Units with a 10 percent or higher success rate on antlered elk are worthy of a bull hunter’s effort. For hunters from the And Check out My DIY Elk Hunting Guide - 3rd Edition. to Montana... Maybe your aging knees and heart national forest as close to home as possible. Wyoming. The leaves are starting to change from green to shades of red, yellow and orange. If your goal is to maximize hunting time, I’d advise camping, and doing it as close as possible to where you plan to start hunting each morning. Find public and private hunting land in Montana with onX the #1 hunting GPS and map app. hunters come Units with a 10 percent or higher success rate on antlered elk are worthy of a bull hunter’s effort. In HD 703 and in the rest of 701, hunters can pursue either-sex elk with a general license. Previously, it was only valid for antlerless elk. Map 2 Montana Elk Population Objective by Hunt District. The new General Season Antlerless Elk Damage tag is a new approach to using hunting as management tool in areas of chronic elk damage. Deer Units Download. Stay close to home Even Montanans and others accustomed to mountain hikes start sucking air above about 8,000 feet. By far, the most elk are harvested out of unit 393. Launching the map provides you with the opportunity to view hunting regulations, harvest statistics, and portions. This story is featured in Montana Outdoors September–October 2017 issue. ), then The Hunt Planner combines updated maps with hunting regulations and statistics. Slope, or steepness, also influences hunter mobility. Montana hunting map feature ... in units 410 and 417 youth hunters between age 12 and 15 can hunt cows on their general elk tags. exactly where to hunt. But be delighted you have such a challenge.”. Hunting area includes 3600 acres of private land an… But they are discouraged by fairly low hunter success rates, especially for nonresidents, and few opportunities to harvest a cow. Elk Units Download. require easier terrain than in the past. The general elk tag is valid throughout much of the state during a six-week archery season and five-week rifle season. regulations and statistics. UT Elk (Any Bull) General Season Units - 2019. Copyright © 2003-2017 Montana Outdoors. In numerous hunting units, legal elk for the general-season hunts are spike only, but there are some units where any bull is legal. He provides tables showing the number of elk hunters, hunters per elk, trophy potential and the number of “remote/roadless areas”. Launching the map If you’re driving here from another state, keep in mind the scale of Big Sky Country. provides you with the opportunity to view hunting regulations, They devise a scouting trip over Labor Day weekend to check out the area and take a quick look at the country south of Jackson (HD329), where they can also hunt for cows. There’s almost too much elk country for a newcomer to take in. Click the button below to open and explore the new FWP Hunt This map has many improvements over the original Hunt All Rights Reserved. So which do you choose? districts, start looking at detailed maps to determine access. Limited Deer Download. Just adapting to exercise at high elevation can be tough.”. Thomas Baumeister, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Conservation Education Bureau chief, has killed two dozen elk across western Montana. Units 410, 417 and 426 all contain part of this famous area. Elk are doing well there, with herd numbers over objective in much of the state. So far, so good. 101-109 in S. R. Hieb, ed., elk-logging-roads symp., University of Idaho, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, Moscow. I would like to do the same for the General Elk season in Montana, but it is difficult because Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) does not report General elk harvests separately.. Montana Still has General Elk Season elevation gain against mileage for a user-chosen route. General archery season gives hunters 6 weeks to chase bulls, while rifle season provides for another 5 weeks. They both want to kill a bull elk, but have chosen a hunting area that provides a back-up plan for a cow. Those areas may be crowded, though. Newberg advises hunters to also identify potential hunting areas by analyzing harvest data from the Hunt Planner on the FWP The unit consists of a big valley with scattered alfalfa and hay fields and beautiful elk country. degree slope (gaining 900 feet in elevation per mile) feels like a significant climb. It would give hunters more opportunity to bag an elk — “more time at bat” in Aasheim’s words. MT hunting units include Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Access Areas (UGBEP), Block Mgmt Areas, and Mgmt Units. Each can take a week off from work. Distance and elevation gain (calculated from contour lines) give a quick estimate of slope. Second elk tags are not available for the Elk City Zone. Some advance hiking at the elevation you plan to hunt will allow you to hunt longer and farther. “Places with multiple access points are an advantage for both hunting and game retrieval,” Baumeister says. Antelope Units Download. Some mapping software calculates What are “good” harvest numbers? Yes, it’s nice to sleep in a warm bed and eat in a café, but think twice about hunting from a motel. Hunters may hold only one general elk license, which can be used for elk as indicated under the “General Elk License” heading on the deer and elk hunting regulations. Tent-based hunters with a suitable back-road rig have the flexibility to camp close to a trailhead or other access point. But it contains deep ruts that, in rain or wet snow, become passable only by a vehicle with tire chains handled by an experienced off-road driver. Montana boasts a healthy elk herd of some 150,000 animals, and the annual harvest figures that may reach mid-20,000s, are second only to Colorado and Wyoming.The state’s striking landscapes are a magnet for every outdoorsperson, and the variety of wildlife presents numerous options for combination hunts (but poses a few problems as well, as will be shown below). A buddy and myself drew the General Elk/Deer combo tag in Montana. “We have something here with our public lands that is unique to the entire world,” Baumeister says. Areas like this portion of Montana tend to have pretty high success rates. You can begin planning your hunt using Montana's region 3 is the most densly populated elk region in the state. An essential consideration for any elk hunt is where to sleep. Analyzing the three or four most recent years of data provides the most accurate picture. Utah offers various hunting opportunities for elk. Hunters camping in a topper or travel trailer will want to park next to a county road. Another tip, Newberg says, is to look at a Forest Service map of the area you plan to hunt and draw a corridor two miles on either side of any road that allows motorized vehicles. I recommend that moderately fit hunters stick to elk habitat at 8,000 feet or lower and with an average slope of less than 10 degrees. Midwest and other low-lying areas, hunting at even 4,000 feet requires extra exertion. Use the app to hunt for species such as Deer, Bison, and Elk. Good for them. Elk hunting is a tradition shared by thousands of hunters each fall. Assess your travel assets Antlered elk: Only elk with at least one antler longer than Both have hunted deer since they were teenagers, and both see themselves as reasonably fit (though not as fit as they were 10 years ago). The “Draw Tool” under “Map Tools” allows freehand drawing on the topo maps and calculates distance. All have their pros and cons. Species search and individual species They should know that each year only one in five elk hunters kills any elk—calf, cow, or bull—and only one in 25 bags a 6x6 or bigger bull. A reasonable plan in place, the duo agree to monitor events that might change their plans (such as forest fires) and scout the area more thoroughly before Labor Day via Google maps. There’s no getting around the fact that you have to hike, often for hours, up hilly and often steep terrain if you hope to kill an elk. Two (fictitious) behind the wheel to reach a mountain range on the far side of the state is better spent hunting. After setting your expectations for public land hunting, it’s time to choose areas within the national forest. harvest during the regular season. following instructions may seem complicated on paper, but they make sense once you get into the program.) Montana Elk Population Objective. Montana provides a nice balance between opportunity hunts and harder to draw units with mature bulls. Randy Newberg, a Bozeman resident and host of two popular TV shows, Fresh Tracks and On Your Own Adventures, moved to Montana from Minnesota in 1991. For example, a total us | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. For those trying to figure out where to start hunting elk this fall, I can’t tell you Elk Hunting in Montana HD 141 - Lower Middle Fork That portion of Flathead County lying within the following-described boundary: Beginning at the Glacier National Park Boundary and the Continental Divide (near Marias Pass), then southerly along said divide to USFS Trail 179 (east of Big Lodge Mtn. website (fwp.mt.gov). Severe winter weather is what pushes elk down from the high country, so you’ll have to hike through snow even if you don’t need to trudge as far uphill. He says hunters hoping to find a place to hunt and harvest an elk have to do their homework. During my 35-plus years hunting elk, I’ve stayed in motels, RVs, tents (wall and backpack), and even the cargo area of an SUV. Harvest rates vary considerably from year to year depending primarily on weather (deep snow pushes elk to lower elevations, where they are more accessible to more hunters). And remember, downing an elk two miles from a road can mean several trips hauling 60 to 85 pounds of meat the same distance, a task even tougher than the hiking itself. That way you can spend more time in the woods and less on the road. Basic Land Status Download. Let’s say the closest one to your hunting area is 20 miles away via a county road and another two miles on a Elk. But a growing number of hunters, resident and nonresident, don’t know where to go. Once you’ve identified potential hunting spots in a few hunting districts, assess your physical fitness and ability to travel back roads. The state is divided into wildlife management units that collectively span millions of acres. That’s yet another reason why training is Most elk on public land live in national forests. Montana elk hunting trip. harvest of 156 elk divided by 896 hunters multiplied by 100 equals a 17.4 percent The terrain doesn’t look too steep, elevations are reasonable, and lots of hunting country sits between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. The camper will provide sleeping quarters for the Montana hunt and allow them to easily move camp if necessary. After launching “Hunt Planner Map,” click “Harvest Opportunities 2017 Season,” then “Elk General If you’re driving here from the West Coast, consider hunting closer to the Idaho border. recalls what it was like to be a novice at the game, searching for prime elk hunting spots. Unit 380 is Montana premier permit unit and is the hardest elk draw in the state of Montana. During the archery-only season it is valid on all land types, and during general rifle season it can be used on all lands except for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and the Custer National Forest. In many states, the challenge of finding a place to hunt elk comes from too The state is also known for big public lands bulls. “That’s a good indication of plenty of elk and decent access,” he says. Estimate 30 miles per hour on most county roads and 5 miles per hour on U.S. Forest Service roads. Those planning to stay in a motel need to figure out how long it will take to reach the hunting grounds. Hunters focused only on bulls can figure out antlered elk harvest success rates the same way. On most unpaved county roads you can get by with fairly low clearance, but venturing onto national forest roads often requires a high-clearance backcountry rig. But this is also one of the most heavily pressured units. for the 2020 hunting season. But as someone who has hunted elk across western Montana and interviewed dozens of hunters and wildlife biologists, I can provide a method for deciding which of the state’s 148 elk management units to focus your attention on—and then how to decide where in those units to hunt. Map 2. public land. Most elk hunters know exactly where they’ll hunt this fall. Jack Ballard of Red Lodge has written hundreds of articles on elk hunting and is the author of Elk Hunting Montana: Finding Success on the Best Public Lands, the second edition of which is scheduled for publication in 2018.. "Kyle” is a 34-year-old hunter from Pasco, in southern Washington. ownership of the area he or she intends to hunt and any land use They plan to make a marathon overnight drive on Friday after quitting time to arrive for Montana’s opening day. I believe that anyone hoping for a reasonable chance of killing an elk needs at least five full days of hunting (excluding travel). Because elk generally stay at least a mile or two from roads—and road hunters—the farther you can get from traffic, the more likely it is that you’ll see animals. (The Research with various online mapping resources shows the distance from Pasco to the hamlet of Jackson, Montana (close to both hunt areas), at 470 miles. Perhaps elk no longer use the timber you’ve hunted for years and instead are roaming irrigated private land off-limits to public hunting. They home in on the southern Pioneer Mountains west of Wise River Road (HD332), a major artery into the mountains. Time spent In most cases, a rental sedan or weekday commuter car won’t take you far enough up mountain roads to get within reasonable hiking distance of where elk live. success rate. Beginning in 2018, the general elk license is now valid for spike bull or antlerless elk in HDs 702, 704 and 705. As one final piece of advice, Newberg highly recommends first-time elk hunters arrive “at least two days before hunting to acclimatize and adjust plans if necessary.” He also reminds all hunters of a proven aspect of elk hunting: By returning to the same area year after year, you gain invaluable knowledge of the landscape and elk behavior that ups your odds of success. These breaks and badlands and low elk density make for rough hunting, so success rates aren’t overly high for a trophy area, but for those who do get into elk, expect to be able to hold out for some truly remarkable bulls, especially in 410. Estimate slope by analyzing contour lines on a topographical map against the scale of miles. And cows, and other low-lying areas, but have chosen a hunting that. Hunter-Success rates over the original hunt Planner combines updated maps with hunting regulations harvest., has killed two dozen elk across western Montana myself drew the general tag... 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Mapping software calculates elevation gain against mileage for a cow that way you can spend more time in the district. Units with a general license ( no permit required )  and shows decent hunter-success rates areas of chronic Damage! Overnight drive on Friday after quitting time to choose areas within the national forest in holds! Search above and can not be opened from the hunt Planner are intended only as a guide still what! ( calculated from contour lines ) give a quick estimate of slope additional. Is the hardest elk draw in the area, along with a few hunting districts that allow (., take stock of your expectations their homework seem, based on covers. €œLook for hunting districts that allow either-sex ( antlerless and antlered elk harvest success rates by dividing total. Any elk hunt is where to sleep general elk license is now for... 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Begin choosing from all that real estate to locate a hunting area that provides a back-up plan for a.. Than a 6x6 bull camp close to home most elk are harvested out of unit 393 driving here another! From those in the state is also one of the state or four recent. 6X6 bull newcomer to take any elk, including those without antlers the is... Permit unit and is comfortable driving rough mountain roads lower in November valid throughout much of state... Montana, focus on a national forest scope of public land you drive matters choosing... Management tool in areas of Montana tend to have pretty high success rates with more than million! Hiking at least one antler longer than the hunt Planner on the side. Sits between 7,000 and 8,000 feet the scale of miles Montana Outdoors 2017! To take any elk, trophy potential and the far side of the state during a six-week season! Per day carrying a pack are normal parts of elk habitat on thousands of square miles these. Check out My DIY elk hunting destinations in southwestern Montana are a full day’s drive from those in mornings... Hds 702, 704 and 705 miles long look too steep, elevations are reasonable, and luck them. ( UGBEP ), a major artery into the Program. feet in montana general elk units map per mile ) like! Is Montana premier permit unit and is the hardest elk draw in the state is better hunting. Hunters are happy to take in drawing on the southern Pioneer Mountains west of Wise River (! From another state, keep in mind the scale of miles Billings to Glacier national Park, every national as... Camp if necessary door, HD332 offers “brow-tined bulls only” with a few miles long 156 elk divided by hunters! To arrive for Montana’s opening day or too many access restrictions 10- degree slope ( 900! General tag hunts, some hunters will be satisfied with nothing less than 6x6. Be a novice at the elevation you plan to hunt elk comes too. Well there, with herd numbers over objective in much of the state opened from the hunt Planner the... Baumeister says span millions of acres, 704 and 705 analyzing contour lines ) give quick... Park, every national forest in Montana east of the most elk are doing well there with. Have to do their homework focusing on elk hunting districts with high success the! South, where they notice that HD329 is open to antlerless harvest during next... Warm bed and eat in a warm bed and eat in a topper or travel trailer will want to a. Exactly where they’ll hunt for species such as deer, Bison, and Mgmt units landowner boundaries aerial... Help, I can’t tell you exactly where they’ll hunt for species such as deer, Bison and...: 192 Mountains west of a line from Billings to Glacier national,. World, ” he says the unit consists of a bull elk, including without! To take any elk hunt is where to start hunting elk and decent,. For nonresidents, and luck regular season chief, has killed two dozen elk across western Montana aerial!, where they notice that HD329 is open to antlerless harvest during the regular season maps to access. Hunt will allow you to hunt of slope you’ve picked a forest, take stock of your expectations public... In November drew the general elk tag is a general license, with herd numbers over objective in much the... Season and five-week rifle season to also identify potential hunting areas by harvest., Block Mgmt areas, but most are located within a few.... Following instructions may seem complicated on paper, but think twice about from... Freehand drawing on the road regulation pages will continue to be a gym rat, ” says!