Find which one fits your personality the best. Back toward the middle of the state, just south of the Little Belt Mountains, the Little Belt Cattle Company occupies 8,000 acres of prime elk country. As a result of two seasons of CWD management hunts and CWD mortality, theres been a substantial reductionabout 75 percentin white-tailed deer numbers in the Ruby Valley between Sheridan and Twin Bridges. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? Historically, these licenses had been selling out by the third week of the season, but this year there were very few left over after the draw and they were sold out soon after surpluses licenses were offered. Its expected that hunters will find a number of pronghorn similar to what they may have observed last year. I'll be up there the back end of Sept. and into October. Those lucky enough to be in the 15% of applicants who draw a bull permit should find a Montana ranch to hunt on. I thought about bow hunting it this year. HD 201. Breaks unit 700 question Montana. Other areas allow you to shoot either sex, while others allow everything except spikes and forks. While the buck:doe ratio is below average, the overall number of bucks observed is 10 percent above the 10-year average. The general elk distribution in the Missouri River Breaks includes 1,101,344 acres of private land, 30% of which is currently enrolled in FWP?s Block Management Program. Pretty much the only thing for certain is the wind will blow. Click for Terrain Detail. Sep 14, 2021. The elk populations on the north side of the Breaks in region 6 have fallen below elk population objectives, with the exception of unit 690. Hey, just following up on this thread to see how you did? FWP can help. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. Visithttps://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/deerfor more information. As in other years, hunter success will be influenced by snowfall during the hunting season. Was a great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. Upland game bird populations are highly dependent upon weather, and the past year has provided both good and bad weather conditions for pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge in Region 4. been up there on 3 elk hunts. Forest grouse populations are considered to be stable in the region. For the most part numbers are still below long-term averages. Most elk hunting opportunities are allocated through limited permit or B License drawing in the region, except for HD 690, where general licenses are valid for antlerless elk during the general season. Hunters interested in pursuing mountain lions are encouraged to review the 2022 hunting regulations. . If youre a Montana resident, your general tag will allow you to hunt either sex elk. However , I think you might have a hard time getting solid info from any one on here in regards to elk or deer in SE montana . Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. The general elk license is valid for spike bull or antlerless elk in HDs 702, 704 and 705 (but not valid on the Custer National Forest during the general rifle season). Wife had it last year, Choices for 30x+ mag and simple mil based reticle. Sun River elk remain near long-term average for the population with bull to cow numbers slightly above long-term average. backyardsniper; Jun . Elk Potential 2022 MT Elk Hunt - Unit 700 Eyeman_1 Dec 21, 2021 Dec 21, 2021 #1 Eyeman_1 FNG Joined Jan 21, 2021 Messages 8 If I am successful in drawing a bull tag for Unit 700 in MT next spring, I have an outfitter lined up whom I've spoken to numerous times and have friends referred me to. Just north of Bozeman and Livingston, the Bridger Mountains run north and south. I'm going to be on the west side of the mussleshell and along the missouri river. Gray partridgeandchukarpopulations will also likely be similar to last year or maybe a little higher as a result of good spring moisture. Survey efforts indicate that pronghorn numbers are strongest in the southeastern portion of Region 7 and are not as robust in the northwestern portion of the region. Lots of really good looking areas with zero elk. Spring surveys for HDs 502, 515, 525, 535, 540, 575 and 580 indicated near-record numbers of elk in most of those areas. Joined. # Successful. Hillbillie, I got drawn for the archery hunt in unit 410 which is beside 700. Do you have any points built up, preference or bonus? HS 58 Just read all this Congratulations to your Son ! Also valid on private While precipitation has improved vegetation conditions in the eastern two-thirds of the region, grasshopper damage has impacted the quality of the cover again in many areas. cubdrvr 08-Nov-15. Expect decent antler growth this year due to good growing conditions this spring. Elksurveys in the Missouri River Breaks in 2022 were 43 percent below the long-term average, from 1995 to 2022. Wyoming's 2023 elk application overview . Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Increased hunter opportunity and drought have brought down pronghorn numbers and licenses have been reduced slightly this year, reflecting the lower numbers seen in summer surveys. Valid in all Region Compare that to nearly 2,000 and 1,560 mule deer harvested in those districts, respectively. The landowner you book from may have horses or ATVs you can use, but sometimes it comes down to quartering the animal and packing meat out in a backpack. Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. Hunters in HDs 515, 535, and 540 can expect similar opportunities to last year in this area. I've been doing some homework as far as the elk goes but I can only know so much without putting some miles on. Distribution and hunter access to elk will depend mostly on weather. Yeah were always trying to plan two yrs. GIS Data: Unit Size and Land Ownership* Overall unit size: US Forest Service: Hunters can expect deer distribution to be somewhat patchy because of the drought this year, and they will be concentrated in areas with good forage and cover. Carry and know how to use bear spray. For more information on deer, elk and pronghorn numbers and hunting opportunities in western Montana, check out past editions of the FWP Region 2 Wildlife Quarterly, available online atfwp.mt.gov/r2-wildlife-quarterlies. Total number of 1st choice applicants that were successful. This ranch offers premium Montana private land elk hunts, as the animals have access to food and water, but can retreat to the mountains in a matter of minutes if they're so inclined. And, as always, you can contact our helpful staff at any of our regional offices around the state. Along the northern Rocky Mountain Front, biologist Ryan Rauscher reports thatelknumbers are generally above their long-term average, with bull to cow ratios at or near average. As a reminder, many hunting districts have changed. The landowner draw takes place before the regular draw. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. Taking weather and habitat conditions into consideration, overall hunting success for upland birds is predicted to be below average, although still very dependent on hunter effort. Scores . U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.) Keep us posted of how it goes as I hope to draw this someday. Thread starter rackcity24; Start date Feb 25, 2018; Feb 25, 2018 #1 R. rackcity24 Lil-Rokslider. Looking for general information on Mt unit 700 archery (798-21), Would like to exchange a few PM's or talk to someone who has hunted the area and/or knows the area well and wouldn't mind sharing some thoughts about access, camping, hunt strategies etc. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! . Hunters need to be aware of the Libby CWD Management Zone (MZ) and its boundaries, which includesportions ofHDs 100, 103 and 104. These dates are provided only as a general reference.Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.. 2023 SEASON . Stay alert, especially when hearing or visibility is limited. When youre looking for a unit thats a little more open one where you dont need a special permit to shoot a bull elk look to number 393. Buck harvest was 3 percent above long-term average last fall. Re: Montana Unit 700. Any Body Bow Hunt Elk in Unit 700? Elk Hunting in Montana HD 700 - Missouri Breaks-Prairie . If you plan on hunting in higher elevation, as a rule of thumb, expect the tempture to decrease roughly 5 for every 1000' in elevation gain. This regulation applies only to Region 1. Except for HD 392 where mule deer numbers seem to be increasing, mule deer numbers continue to be down to some extent on national forest lands in the Townsend district. Montana has always been a good place to hunt elk, especially if you are a bowhunter as the season runs into the middle of October. In Region 6,gray partridge(also known as Hungarian partridge) populations are not monitored through any structured surveys, but harvest estimates show their populations do track with the other bird species in the region to some degree. Our world class archery elk hunts are one of the most exciting hunts you can experience. Research the latest Montana Elk Hunting Draw Odds and Harvest Data for Unit 705. White-tailed deernumbers remain strong in many parts of southwest Montana. When a healthy bull can tip the scales at over 1,000 pounds, it means your harvest will be a bit more than what you would get from a deer hunt. There were elk in that area, but the archery hunters would push them down to the river into the breaks by the time antelope rolled around. In the Sheridan area, a measurable reduction in mule deer was observed relative to last year. . Some block management in the area we were in . Where drought conditions have persisted in the region, hunters will likely find lower juvenile numbers on the landscape and will have to cover more ground and seek out good habitat conditions to be successful. Fire danger remains high throughout the region, so be aware of fire restrictions, road and campground closures, and other regulations that may go into effect to reduce wildfires. Montana Unit 700-20 Bull Elk. Hunters are reminded to check the regulations as only antlered bucks (i.e. There used to be some big deer there, and no one really hunted them. A good windbreaker jacket with multiple layers underneath sets a good baseline. Visitfwp.mt.govto see what rules are in place for Block Management properties. There will be wing barrels out in several locations throughout southwest Montana. lands in HD 260 as listed. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. Kolbe reports that although mule deer in the Little Belt, Castle and eastern Big Belt Mountains experienced significant declines 10 to 15 years ago, their numbers have been steadily increasing since then. How to find a reputable outfitter and get a tag for that hunt? remains above its population objective of 400 - 600 elk with just under 700 elk observed in surveys this past winter. Any advice on Montana Unit 700-20. would be greatly appreciated. Toggle between terrain, satellite, and topographic views, The ability to filter OTC units by residency and manner/sex, 1st choice license applications and licenses drawn, Draw odds for resident and nonresident applicants, Harvest stats by hunt_code, manner, season, sex, type, Average # of days between precip or snow event, Probability of other weather events (thunder, hail, etc) by by month. White-tailed deer numbersare increasing across much of Rauschers and Lonners areas as well, and in several oftheir hunting districts, they report that white-tailed deer numbers are strong and should provide good harvest opportunities for both bucks and antlerless deer. What would be a reasonable expectation of seeing elk. The regulation in HD 340 has changed from either-sex mule deer to buck mule deer only on the general license and a limited number of B licenses. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a Class II landfill. In total, 1,379 elk were counted in the HD with a bull ratio of 28 bulls per 100 cows, and a calf ratio of 54 calves to 100 cows. Drought conditions reduced the quantity and quality of forage available to deer during spring and summer 2021. This district pushes close to the Missouri Breaks, an area rumored to contain . See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. Buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios are well below average. Total mule deer numbers in the Livingston area observed during spring surveys were near 10- and 20-year averages in the Brackett Creek trend area (HD 393) but were below average in the Gardiner trend area (HD 313). Elk habitat on the Those portions of Garfi eld and McCone Counties lying within the following-described boundary: Beginning at the Musselshell River Bridge near Mosby on State Route 200, then north down the Musselshell River to the Missouri River, then east and north down the Missouri River to the Fort Peck Powerhouse, then south along the east shore of the Fort Peck Reservoir to Big Dry Creek, then south up Big Dry Creek to Little Dry Creek, then up Little Dry Creek to State Route 200, then west along said route to the Musselshell River Bridge, the point of beginning. Hunters need to be aware of some regulation changes passed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission this winter. Montana Hunting Districts. Toggle navigation DRAW ODDS ALASKA BISON BLACK BEAR BROWN BEAR CARIBOU DALL SHEEP ELK MOOSE MOUNTAIN GOAT MUSK OX ARIZONA ELK MULE DEER ANTELOPE COUES DEER DESERT SHEEP CALIFORNIA ELK DEER ANTELOPE Although the 2021 drought has passed in much of the region (with Garfield County being the exception), its effect on southeastern Montana deer populations remains apparent. Anticipate poor sage-grouse hunting. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? If you have never hunted elk before, its important to know just how big these animals actually are. With a general elk tag, youre limited to hunting antlerless only. Keep it within easy reach and be prepared to use it immediately. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. Just received my Montana elk tags in the mail. Was a great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk. Outside of these areas, elk numbers are generally low, but numbers have been increasing at a moderate rate, accompanied by a gradual expansion into previously unoccupied habitat. These ratios are higher than those from the 2020 survey (15 bulls:100 cows and 41 calves:100 cows), but this is likely due to the exceptionally good survey conditions. Buy Nupla Ergo Power Sharp Shooter Drain Spade with 27 inch Fiberglass Handle, D-Grip, and 14 Gauge Hollow Back Blade - Perfect for Sand, Soil, and Clay, Yellow (75.72-092): Spades - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! Surveys conducted in HD 121 resulted in 1,497 elk counted with a calf recruitment rate of 24 calves per 100 cows. Hope to hear back from you! #19. I've heard a lot about glassing and hunting from a boat and am curious if anyone out there has done this. You are using an out of date browser. Drew this tag last year. Check the regulations to find out which licenses are valid for these hunts and where they occur. While sage grouse appear to tolerate drought conditions somewhat better than our other game birds, the continued dry conditions, especially in the far-western portions of the region, may impact sage grouse production this year. Multiple years of drought have taken a toll on bird numbers. Last year opening day it was 10-20 below zero, with a decent amount of snow on the ground. Location. Mule deernumbers observed this year on the 14 spring trend areas were 36 percent below 2021 and 47 percent below the long-term average. This year will be very similar to 2018. Keep in mind that your preference points will not be reinstated if you return your general license for a refund. If you look at our archery elk table, you will see 411-21, 417-21, 455-21, 447-21, 595-21, and 799-21. Most southeastern Montana counties experienced localized die-offs. The most recent population estimate . Montana should be included in your application strategy if you are looking at having an elk tag in your pocket each year. A buddy and I drew that tag this year. S. Elk hunting in Montana? Nutritionally stressed does dont produce as much milk for growing fawns, and many fawns didnt gain enough weight their first summer to make it through the winter months. Other units may have a Type 1 and Type 2 license where the difference is that they are valid for different portions of the area. Joined Oct 29, 2017 Messages 139 . One of the great things about the general elk license is the liberal season dates that come along with it. The Missouri Breaks units continue to produce good bulls, but Eastern Montana has been in a drought for the last couple of years.