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Montana Elk hunt for 2025

Jagger0502

Jagger0502

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
651
Location
PA
Drew a tag for Montana Elk, planning to hunt out there with a buddy. I hunted central MT in the past, got into elk but also found a lot of hunters (I know it’s hard to avoid). We are tossing up the idea to try a new area and I wanted to pick anyone’s brain about some areas in south west MT. Not looking for honey holes (unless you are offering…), just general info about how crowded it get during archery, how bad the ATV/EBike traffic gets (we are on foot), any worry about leaving truck and gear for tweekers to mess with and any for the area. Feel free to PM me if you don’t want any of the info out there. Again, not looking for your honey hole, just looking to avoid some pressure and the frustration that comes along with it.


Areas we are looking into:

323 - Snowcrest and Gravelly
321 and 270 - Anaconda Range
Any other areas open for suggestion! We are not tied to any areas, just want to try a new area.
 
GCTerpfan said:
Yeah, congrats on the tag! I don't have any info for you but might pick your brain about this trip in a couple of years. :)
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Feel free to reach out, I hold no secrets… I have also never put one in the freezer. I have learned from the mistakes of others that have taken my advice, and that advice is free to anyone that wants to report back.
 
Good luck. I plan on taking my son out west elk hunting in a year or 2. I hunted colorado once, my brother goes every 2 years.
But if u dont want more hunters don't post the areas u hunt for everyone to see. Not trying to be a jerk but if u get into elk and post about it , everyone that googled that area can read this.
 
Rifle or archery?
Tenting it or hotel?
We stayed in a wall tent. Hiked out from tent. 7 of us went out. Thats the only way I would do it again. Dont have to wait on anyone to get ready or wake up.
 
I've hunted the Pintler and the Snowcrest years ago. The Snowcrest and the Gravelly Ranges get a bunch of hunters, especially on weekends and the 3rd week of September. There used to be a lot of elk. I haven't been there in 20 years.
The Pintlers see less hunters but still enough you'll have to hunt for for a spot without interference. Not as many elk as the Snowcrest, but usually some.
Just realize this is all old Intel as I haven't been there since 2011.
 
cmj said:
Rifle or archery?
Tenting it or hotel?
We stayed in a wall tent. Hiked out from tent. 7 of us went out. Thats the only way I would do it again. Dont have to wait on anyone to get ready or wake up.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the concern, we have a 5% chance and am likely taking my long bow…. So I am basically taking my bow for an expensive hiking vacation.

We are going to truck camp and bounce around until we find sign and then if we need to, pack in on foot.

I have done all the google searchers and find lots of info, any area I have researched it has been said many times, “it’s crowded, numbers are down and I would be better to look at the range to the north or south or go to a different state.” Reading between the lines, elk are everywhere. I am just looking to avoid the most crowded of crowded areas. There is a drainage out there somewhere with an elk and no hunters… I will find it.
 
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