Planning on hunting MT this year(assuming we draw)....I have a bunch of friends out there whom I hunt deer, birds, and ducks with but aren't really interested in a full out elk hunt. So I'm planning on dedicating probably 3 days of my stay to a DIY elk hunt with a buddy or two. I understand that a general big game tag limits the zones in which you can hunt......I've been told that 416 is good, and I want to stay in the central/eastern part of the state.

Any suggestions appreciated.......FWIW, I'm not looking to pull to the side of the road and shoot one but I won't be equipped to pack in for a day either.

Yep, I'm new to this forum.....should have expected the overwhelming response.....no sweat. Internet scouting this isn't, you can rest assured.

Norten,
I did a DYI archery elk hunt in Montana this year, most of it solo.
I don’t know why you would stick to the central/eat portion of the state unless your worried about bears ? There are more elk in the S/W corner then in the rest of the state combined.
That being said, I hunted solo in unit 413 & 416, and I did see a decent bull who gave me the slip.
Frankly, it was too thick for rifle hunting, but good for archery.
If and when I go back with a rifle, I’ll be hunting within a hundred miles of the park, somewhere in zone #3.
Spend some time using the Montana state wildlife web site “Hunt Planner”. It’s a good tool. Fine unites with good population numbers, and decent harvest ratios.
You don’t need to pack in a full day, but if you want to see elk, be ready to get at least a mile form the road, 2 miles is better.

Look at units 310, 313, 314, & 360. Find public land. Be very careful of private property, the locals are really touchy about anyone hunting/trespassing. Find high country, as far away as possible from towns.
Narrow it down to a few spots, then track down the local biologist and call him.

Thanks Anaconda.....have friends in Billings, Malta, and St. Xavier so we figured we stay in that portion of the state. I will definitely speak to F & G out there.....I'm actually looking forward to a laid back trip without guides or local buds that I need to listen to.....that may mean I see nothing but I plan to do some homework prior to arrival......thanks again.

You need to apply for the out of state tags now, they are due in early March. If you get the general tag then apply for the primo tags by June were the BIG bulls live. The breaks , elkhorns, etc are the good areas. I think 416 is a draw area unless you are a bow hunter. Otherwise you can find elk anywhere in the SW part of the state but remember some of the good area have been hit hard by the dam wolves.Pick an area and call the F&G biologist and they should be some help. Good luck


www.african-montana-taxidermy.com

416 is a good area, has plenty of elk in it. However a goodly share of the buggers are on private land and can be quite tough to gain access to. I know several of the big time ranchers in that unit so I know what I am speaking of.

But, if you can get out there and scout in the summer and knock on doors you have a chance of getting in.

As well, there is some good national forest land that is easy to get into to hunt and if you begin to study your maps you can sort some of it out.

Good luck to ya!

Mark D