Hunters should seek areas with a variety of other abundant food sources like serviceberries, chokecherries and mountain ash. Id love to talk to your son about his experience in unit 700. Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. . The LO Ranch straddles two units: 700 and 701, with the bulk of the ranch in the northerly 700 district. Many of them also allow you to harvest a cow; it just depends on what your end goal is with your Montana adventure: meat, trophy, or both. The outfitter has @53K acres and BLM land access from there as well, so I was anticipating a good hike daily but I really have enjoyed hiking in MT the last few summers in Glacier, The Bob and around Yellowstone. MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS . 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. Application deadline is March 15th. Contact the applicable land management agency for updates on area closures or fire restrictions. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. H. HunterShooter58 OP. Do you have any points built up, preference or bonus? If hunters want to be successful, scouting and understanding wolf behavior is important. There is also an area in HD 103 that requires a permit to hunt mule deer (HD 103-50). HD 201. For quite a few years it has been one of the top producing areas for the sheer quantity of elk harvested; 700 elk were harvested in 2020 (the last year statistics were available). Made for a really fun hunt. 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. Hunters are reminded that in Regions 1, 2 and 4 it is unlawful to take a female mountain goat accompanying a kid or a female in a group that contains one or more kids. Whats new for chronic wasting disease management for 2022. The 2022 survey showed white-tailed deer density averages of 7.3 deer-per-square mile across the deer trend areas, which is 31 percent below the long-term average of 10.6 deer-per-square mile. I have some info on New Mexico, Colorado and some Western MT info that I would be happy to share as well. White-tailed deernumbers remain strong in many parts of southwest Montana. As a result, bird populations are expected to be stable in this area and similar to last year, around average or slightly above average. In 2020, a single CWD-positive whitetail buck was detected outside the MZ near the Thompson Chain of Lakes, and another CWD-positive was discovered outside the MZ in 2021. Manyduskyandruffed grousewere detected during the spring breeding season. According to Lonner, July surveys showed near average buck numbers but below average fawn numbers. Overall, upland bird numbers are trending higher than 2021 but still remain below the long-term average across the region as populations are still recovering from the harsh winter of 2017/2018. Prepare for the cold and you'll be fine on the warm days. Many hunting units in Montana allow you to harvest a bull elk with your general tag. While harvest in 2021 was around average, this years lek counts are down compared to 2021. I will do that. we should hear in a few weeks if we draw been working on ammo and waiting for weather to get decent here to try the four loads I have to determine what the rifles like best Good luck to you as well. Montana. 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. HD 576 pronghorn numbers are reasonably good, which will translate into good hunter success in 2022. 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. 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. Research the latest Montana Elk Hunting Draw Odds and Harvest Data for Unit 705. #19. Any advice on Montana Unit 700-20. would be greatly appreciated. Elk hunting in Montana isnt the same throughout the entire state. FWP finalized a mule deer study that included study areas in the Whitefish Range and Fisher River areas in Region 1. Hunting unit 411 captures the northern part of these mountains and the surrounding foothills. The percentage of four-point or greater bucks harvested was up in 2021, and its anticipated to be similar results this fall. Following last summers catastrophic Robertson Draw fire, many elk shifted distribution to adjacent hunting districts. The area is coming out of a tough drought and has received moisture this year. I applied for this area but did not draw the special but I did get a general combo tag. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As snow covers the ground up high, the elk migrate lower to ensure they still have ample feed to continue packing on the pounds for what can end up being a long Montana winter. 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. Kolbe also reported that pronghorn populations are also doing well. HH. Enough cover to be protected, but open fields in which to graze. Best bet is to go early as you can. Not all weather elements are available within the unit. Despite good numbers, wolves can be difficult to find, dont always move as a pack and often move long distances. Most districts in the Bozeman area are within or above objective for mule deer, with good winter survival from last season. Replies 21 Views 7K. Hunters need to be aware of the Libby CWD Management Zone (MZ) and its boundaries, which includesportions ofHDs 100, 103 and 104. The archery season is September 2-October 15, rifle season is October 21-November 26, and muzzleloader season is December 9-17. Check the regulations to find out which licenses are valid for these hunts and where they occur. Surveys suggest that pronghorn across many of Doggetts hunting districts are still recovering from the tough winters of 2017 and 2018 and also recent drought conditions. I'd archery hunt the deer in the mornings and evenings, and rifle hunt antelope mid-day. Biologists will use these wings to identify birds by species and age class juvenile or adult. A 15-percent increase in sage-grouse population trends were observed in the Sheridan area this spring. You may get lucky cruising up timber creek, Ive seen a huge heard of elk the last few years hunting there. Some of the units were turned back into general units, and some went to a limited-entry draw. Overall, numbers during spring surveys showed the region-wide population at 31 percent above long-term average. 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. Get a good quality boot that is water proof as the weather can change drastically from the beginning of a hunt to the end. Last time I was there was about 8 years ago just before the big winter kill and reduction in antelope tags. In 1990 the Department purchased a conservation easement in HD 631 on 19,189 acres belonging to the Page-Whitham Ranch. The reward you get from dozens of meals made with healthy wild game is only enhanced because every one of those meals sparks pride, joy, and memories of your Montana elk hunt. Montana - Missouri Break's Private Land Elk Hunt (Permit Area 700 . Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Testing for CWD is voluntary and hunters wishing to have harvested deer, elk and moose tested can submit samples themselves, visit the Libby CWD Sampling Station (Montana Department of Transportation shop on U.S. Highway 2, mile marker 35) on weekends during the general season or stop by the Region 1 Headquarters in Kalispell (490 North Meridian) during business hours Monday thru Friday. 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. Because of their mass, even a well-placed shot that hits vital organs might not know the beast down right away. A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do! Total numbers have increased from last year, with populations near levels observed in 2020 (prior to the 2021 region-wide drought) and similar to population levels observed prior to the winter mortality in 2010-2011. Expect poorer than average pheasant hunting. Hunters will have to secure permission to hunt white-tailed deer in these areas. 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. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! I hunted east of the there about five years ago in unit 410 so pretty familiar with the landscape, just looking at some potential areas to camp, access and hunt should I draw the archery tag. May 11, 2021. Oct 6, 2021. scopeye. A grasshopper outbreak has infested much of the region for the second year in a row. Elevations vary from 5,200 ft. to 7,200 ft. Remember that these general units are all over-the-counter licenses for residents and can receive a fair amount of hunting pressure. Elk hunting recommendations for a once in a lifetime hunt. Took 3 weeks off work for it. 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. All of the regions, however, have their pros and their cons. Finally ended up taking a decent bull way back in on the north east side of the forest. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. We hunt from our campsite which is . Northern Carter and southern Fallon counties were particularly hard hit by EHD, with a widespread outbreak that resulted in significant mortality. Hunters need to be aware of some regulation changes passed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission this winter. Habitat conditions, spring adult populations and recent brood observations start out slightly above average in the eastern third of the region but decline to the west. I was not successful in drawing a tag this year but we'll keep trying. Calf recruitment here was observed to be a little lower than average, likely due to effects of drought, but populations are still above objective going into this hunting season. 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. HD 303 is a special permit area where overall population numbers appear to be growing over the past 10 years but with lower recent fawn recruitment. This was the first time a year-over-year increase was seen for sage-grouse here in five years. I used to hunt antelope and deer north and west of Brusett all way to the UL bend. S. Elk hunting in Montana? Some units are brow-tined bull only, meaning you cant shoot cow elk, spike elk, or forked antler elk. Bull on Monday 7x8, 389 yards, 300 WM 215gr Berger. # Successful. Near Great Falls, biologist Jake Doggett says that elk are doing well in the Highwood Mountains and Devils Kitchen hunting districts, where numbers remain well above long-term averages. This can help you make casual noise to alert bears to your presence, and it may also increase your chances survival in the event of a bear attack. 700 N Larrabee St Unit 1702 has 3 shopping centers within 1.2 miles, which is about a 3-minute drive. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. In recent years, FWP has detected CWD in white-tailed deer, mule deer and moose in the Libby area. Weather can vary by elevation. With this years precipitation and good growing season this year, fawn recruitment is expected to rebound next year. 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. So far, the moose study has revealed that the Cabinet-Salish moose population is relatively stable although perhaps at lower overall numbers than historic highs. Most southeastern Montana counties experienced localized die-offs. Elk should be in good weight and condition going into the fall after a wet spring and early summer. The southern Rocky Mountain Front shows overall stability in elk numbers compared to recent years, according to area biologist Brent Lonner. 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. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. I drew the same tag this year. I'm trying to increase my knowledge about Elk Hunting in Montana HD 455 behind Holter lake. For more information, visitfwp.mt.gov. In the Sweetgrass Hills, elk numbers remain well over objective, giving hunters opportunity to harvest antlerless elk. These licenses are valid across all of Region 6 to allow hunters to use the license where whitetail numbers may be higher. to learn what food storage rules apply where youre hunting. Just about in the middle of the state lies a small mountain range. Over the last 20+ years, we've collected hunting research and data,so join Huntin' Fool today and access the best research tools for hunting Elk in Montana including3D Maps, Draw Odds,Consultations,and much more. Hunters will be unable to purchase additional antlerless mule deer licenses during the general rifle season this fall. If youre a Montana resident, your general tag will allow you to hunt either sex elk. The bad news is that the low bird numbers, paired with great habitat and grasshoppers everywhere, are going to have what birds are out there spread pretty thinly across the landscape. Antlerless whitetail B licenses will again be available for over-the-counter purchase, with a limit of four per hunter. Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. Drew this tag last year. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. Key portions of elk summer and winter ranges are . The tooth will be sent to a laboratory where the age of the bear will be determined. However, hunters should be aware that elk are scarce in these districts; often highly transient or occurring in small, isolated pockets; and primarily found on private land. Despite the spring conditions, overall numbers should be similar to last year and hunting should be good for all three species of mountain grouse. Apr 13, 2016. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. This district pushes close to the Missouri Breaks, an area rumored to contain . a deer with an antler or antlers at least 4 inches long as measured from the top of the skull) may be harvested in Region 1. Hunters should expect elk distribution to be similar to 2021, given the continuation of drought in most of this HD. You are safest if you use artificial scents, but you can also use scents certified by the Responsible Hunting Scent Association. He actually died there on his last hunt. From check station and wing barrel data, we observe that juveniles (birds hatched that year) typically comprise most of the birds harvested (60 to 80 percent depending on the species). Location. 423. This year was darn near t-shirt weather the whole season. Hillbillie, I got drawn for the archery hunt in unit 410 which is beside 700. Overall,black bearnumbers appear to be steady in northwest Montana. According to Ryan Williamson, Outlook-area biologist, The winter of 2021-2022 was generally mild and favorable for wintering deer. The Canoe Gulch check station near Libby is no longer in operation and has been replaced by the Libby CWD sampling station located on the south end of Libby (mile marker 35 on Hwy 2). Poor recruitment last year, little available habitat and some severe late snowstorms have had an effect on birds. Well see what makes them amazing, and how you can use that information to maximize your elk hunt to make it safe and productive, as well as memorable and enjoyable. I've been doing some homework as far as the elk goes but I can only know so much without putting some miles on. Yes I am familiar and have been working with the outfitter for the last few years acquiring points. As a non-resident, however, your odds (without buying extra points) of drawing a tag land you right around 70%. Visithttps://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/wolffor more information. Its expected that hunters will find a number of pronghorn similar to what they may have observed last year. An example is that if you draw unit 410-21, which is an archery-only elk permit, you can only hunt archery elk in unit 410. . Three consecutive mild winters have contributed to normal overwinterelkcalf survival, which should pay dividends for hunters on public lands this year and in the coming years. Hunters should be aware of a HD boundary change affecting HDs 310 and 360 in the Big Sky area. The east side of the range is home large herds of elk that contain a significant number of really big bulls. Breaks unit 700 question Montana. For most hunting districts in this region,elknumbers remain at or near all-time highs. 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 . The first step is to determine where you would like to hunt. Last winter was fairly mild, which means good winter survival for big game in many areas. The archery season dates will allow you to hunt all phases of the rut, while most general rifle hunters wait for weather to push the elk down into lower, more accessible country. The eastern portions of the region all received better precipitation this year and habitat conditions steadily improved from early May through July. FWP can help. Phillips and Valley counties in northeastern Montana. remains above its population objective of 400 - 600 elk with just under 700 elk observed in surveys this past winter. Populations in HD 310 appear to be healthy. What's new . So the Boys are all packed out, with all the meat Frozen, packaged, and Shipped overnight, on Dry Ice. TRUMP DID WIN!!! Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. Tatonka 09-Nov-15. 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