So dont pay attention to success rates in Montana.. the state has no clue what there talking about. That area of the state is known for harbination problems.. most of the elk live permenatly on private land. And the shoulder season is one of the biggest screw ups in game management ive seen in a while, just playing into the landowners hands. But with out turning this thread into another bash on Montana FWP i think that you can find elk deep or your best bet is ride that border between private and public in areas hard to get to, if you can walk there easily, so can everyone else....good luck