Montana Help - Any suggestions appreciated

[jrnorton4]

Hi guys,
We just got back a couple weeks ago from a week in SW Montana trying to chase elk. I and another guy in our group got mule deer does, but other than that we got beaten pretty badly. The area we hunted was very familiar to one guy in our group (his 4th time to hunt it), but for some reason was overrun with hunters this year. It was a 16 square mile wilderness area, with a total of 19 trucks and horse trailers at both ends of the trail running through it. We were the only ones carrying camp in on our backs. We never heard a bugle, and the only bull seen while hunting, a spike, ran like the devil himself was on his tail when he heard a cow call from 400 yards off (wasn't a legal bull anyway in this unit).
All of that said, a couple of us are considering going back in a few weeks with rifles and trying them again. We have general elk tags in Montana (buddy has a deer tag as well), and no ideas at all of how to hunt them with rifles or any ideas of the possible conditions with snow or anything else. All we know is there is 2300 miles between here and there and we want to try again. I am following the rifle hunting thread on here, but I am looking for any suggestions on where to start looking or considering to hunt. We would prefer to stay on the south and/or east side of the state, but we will go where we need to.
I am definitely not looking for honey holes, trail heads, or anything of the sort. If you know of a good mountain range that might fit our bill, any help is appreciated. Any suggestions on snow closures or what to look for in that regard would also be helpful; we don't know much about snow being from Mississippi. Help!!

[powderhogg01]

I have been that guy walking up the pack trail being passed by horses and such. I decided to get some goats and train them to pack for me. seemed great.. then one of my goats got taken by a lion. Now im up in the high country, one goat running amuck one goat dead and mostly gone, 40 lbs of stuff to try to fit in my already full pack.. it was a hassle and now I enjoy just keepin things on my back.. if I break down we have bigger issues to fry.
as for montana im really unfamiliar but would think they like the same areas. If you can find a spot near a road with a flat spot at the top and very steep access, so steep most dont want to go up it. were talking brutally steep entrance.. That has been my ticket for success. most of the elk I have found were in similar areas, nice and easy up top, but a real terror to get to. that will weed out a huge chunk of the people, no horses.. just you and hopefully some elk and muley. good luck!

[Indian Summer]

Do you have any type of permit in addition to your general licenses?

If not it really narrows down the options.

[jrnorton4]

We don't have any other permits, just general tags. Is it too late to try to get permits you are talking about Joe? Forgot to add, we aren't trophy hunting, legal bulls and a legal buck are the quarry.

[MTLongdraw]

JRN4- If I can make a suggestion in all honesty stay away from wildernesses. They are for fishing, photographers, and goats. There are a lot of wildernesses in MT and not many of them seem to hold elk. I think you'll be much better off to hunt general units on day hunts. Stay off the trails and bush whack...horse guys will go in on trails cause that's where there horses will go. Most will walk a mile or two from the truck on trails and closed logging roads. A lot of elk know this!!!

[Indian Summer]

JRN4- If I can make a suggestion in all honesty stay away from wildernesses. They are for fishing, photographers, and goats. There are a lot of wildernesses in MT and not many of them seem to hold elk. I think you'll be much better off to hunt general units on day hunts. Stay off the trails and bush whack...horse guys will go in on trails cause that's where there horses will go. Most will walk a mile or two from the truck on trails and closed logging roads. A lot of elk know this!!!

Not one wasted word in that post. Wilderness is great.... to look at. Yes it is too late to get permits. March 15th was the deadline. Pick a spot in the Crazies.

[jrnorton4]

Wow. Pearls right there. Thanks a bunch both of you. Would have never thought that about wilderness areas at all.

[Indian Summer]

Many times I have been in wilderness areas and looked up at the beautiful scenery and said "If elk ate rocks they'd be thriving in here" Wilderness is usually very marginal habitat. Not always of course but usually.

[Kleinpm]

Check you PM's.