Montana Elk Hunt

[from_ky]

First I just want to say this is a great site. I appreciate the info and knowledge gained by just reading through posts.

I'm going to do my first elk hunt this September (archery). I've hunted mule and whitetail in eastern Mt for several years but never elk and never in the western side of the state.

I'm particularly interested in units near Dillion, units 322, 325. If anyone has any info on that area, I'd appreciate it. Particularly, are there lots of road networks to get in and out of BLM and state land? Are the roads passible with a 2wd (September timeframe)?

Thanks in advanced. Any other info is appreciated.

 

[dirtytough]

I don't know a lot about Montana, but if you are planning on hunting a general area anyway I would apply for a draw unit. If you don't draw then hunt the area you were planning on hunting. You never know you might get lucky and draw a limited entry tag your first year.

 

[goodgrouper]

I hunted 325/324 five years ago mid September. Nice country not to many other hunters. I have a buddy who hunted it this past season for opening rifle and he said it was a nightmare. The first two bulls he shot were claimed by other hunters before he could get to them. 2wd would be sketchy, the black tail road that splits 324/325 takes you 40 miles from nowhere over rough gravel and at 7k feet or more it can snow anytime.

 

[from_ky]

Thanks for the quick replies. The advice about applying for a draw unit is good. I will absolutely do that and then fall back to general areas if I don't draw.

Thanks for the heads up on 324/325. Interesting that bow season was mainly empty 5 years ago and rifle season a circus this past season. I know a lot of locals out easy don't bother to bow hunt. Could be the elk see little pressure during now season.

My vehicle is a 2WD pickup. So I have clearance and good tires. Snow however would likely shut me down although I'll have a set of chains with me.

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Rain in that country could shut you down also. Lots of clay. Some roads are completely or almost impassable in 4x4 when it rains.

 

[flytrait]

The worry about the roads with a 2 wheel drive is with the gravel/rocks when you loose a little traction and your tires spin, when that happens it can cut your tire causing a flat. 4x4 don't spin nearly as much. The roads over there a pretty much all gravel to all the trail heads with little to no clay. The rifle season has way more hunters than bow it's crazy been there through both seasons. If you want specifics feel free to PM me I have spent some time in there.

 

[Jason Snyder]

The worry about the roads with a 2 wheel drive is with the gravel/rocks when you loose a little traction and your tires spin, when that happens it can cut your tire causing a flat. 4x4 don't spin nearly as much. The roads over there a pretty much all gravel to all the trail heads with little to no clay. The rifle season has way more hunters than bow it's crazy been there through both seasons. If you want specifics feel free to PM me I have spent some time in there.

Agree to disagree. Try driving through the Blacktail or Robb Ledford after a rain while you're in 2wd.

 

[from_ky]

I've dealt with that clay gumbo in eastern Montana. That stuff gets thick and doesn't come off.

2wd/4wd aside, it appears there are plenty of feeder roads that drop you off right into the mountains.

I'm guessing it's like Any other BLM, you can setup camp wherever.

Flytrait - I'll PM you shortly.