Late Season Montana Elk

[Jeterry]

A buddy and me a looking to come out to Montana and elk hunt the week of thanksgiving. Midwesterners who have never hunted elk before so we are looking to use an outfitter the first time. Any advice on who to use? Regions which are better than others? Anything to avoid? Any general advice?

 

[johnsd16]

Do you have a tag? Question is way too vague. If you’re going with an outfitter you should be applying through them.

 

[UTJL]

This may sound harsh but the draw deadline is today. Most reputable outfitters are booked at least a year or two in advance. Anyone who would take your money now isn’t worth it unless they had cancellation. You should be looking at 2026 or 2027 for a guided hunt.

 

[Indian Summer]

Montana West Outfitters

Elk Hunting, Montana Hunting, Outfitter, Montana West Outfitters

Montana West Outfitters provides guided hunts with pack horses for Elk, Mountain Lion, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, and Bear.

www.montanawestoutfitters.com

But as stated above… you are talking next year unless you have already applied for a license. Now would be a really good time to plan a 2026 Hunt.

 

[Jeterry]

We are planning to go in 2026. We have a preference point already. Will buy another in July. Just looking for a place that someone May know that is successful in late season. No outfitter yet.

 

[Packer9037]

Did you buy a preference point last year? If so, if you didn't apply this year you'll lose that point and reset at zero.

 

[MidwestElkHunter]

A buddy and me a looking to come out to Montana and elk hunt the week of thanksgiving. Midwesterners who have never hunted elk before so we are looking to use an outfitter the first time. Any advice on who to use? Regions which are better than others? Anything to avoid? Any general advice?

I would just determine what type of hunt you are looking for, and then determine a region. Is there a specific reason why you want it to be a late hunt? I have only hunted September - October in Montana. As a midwesterner, the possible weather late November may end up being a shock to you.

Some units will require a permit to hunt Bull elk. This doesn't necessarily make it better, but may control crowding or may be geared towards larger bulls.

General advice, you can do a DIY but I would suggest going earlier in the season. You could try a cow elk tag for $270 to learn an area, and come back a different year with the expensive tag in your pocket to try to get a bull.

I am a midwesterner as well, and went out DIY. The first couple trips were more of just getting used to the area, the last two had a good handle on where to look for the elk. If they weren't there, go to the next spot. Don't sit where elk aren't.

 

[fatlander]

I saw/heard someone else say this a while ago and it’s been true in my experience.

Bigish bull elk cost 10k. You can go the DIY route: buy the gear, learn an area, eat some tags along the way, or you can pay a very reputable outfitter in a great area.

If elk is a one and done for you, I’d go the guided route. If you want to do it a lot, it’s still going cost you a lot of money. Rip the bandaid off and start figuring it out.


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