Partridge harvest in 2021 was above average in the eastern portions of the region but 60 percent of average in the western portions of the region, which was still a significant improvement over the previous five years. 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. Regulations vary between hunting units and sometimes within the same unit. Not all weather elements are available within the unit. Similar to mule deer, whitetail fawn recruitment this spring was below average at 44 fawns per 100 adults. However, hunters should still find many opportunities to harvest whitetails, which will be found primarily on private lands and agricultural areas. For the 2022 season, changes to the 2022 mountain lion regulations allow for purchase of a general lion license or an unlimited lion license until February 28, 2023. PO Box 250 Overall whitetail numbers should be stable to increasing across the region, and hunters should see a fair number of bucks this fall due to three years of solid recruitment. If there is abundant fresh sign of grizzly bears in the area, consider hunting elsewhere. Through the program, we coordinate with landowners to provide hunting access to more than 7 million acres of private land. So well look at a few of the best elk hunting units in Montana. Montana Hunting Districts. The Missouri Breaks (HD 700) and Custer Forest Elk Management Unit (HDs 702, 704, 705) remain the two "core" elk populations in southeast Montana. In addition to the following hunting forecast, FWP provides online information about hunting access, including our popular Block Management Program. Elk Hunting Montana Unit 700-20 Bull Elk cherokees May 4, 2021 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member 1 2 Next C cherokees Well-Known Member Joined Jun 24, 2014 Messages 94 May 4, 2021 #1 Any advice on Montana Unit 700-20. would be greatly appreciated. Of the three, blue and ruffed grouse make up the majority of the mountain grouse population. This ranch has unique access to incredible hunts, but its for the archery hunter out there. Pronghornpopulations in southeast Montana increased from last year and are 27 percent above the 10-year average. HD 576 pronghorn numbers are reasonably good, which will translate into good hunter success in 2022. Montana Elk Objective Maps . Biologists will set quotas on an annual basis; the licenses will first be available through the drawing process (deadline: June 1 each year). . Elk Hunting in Montana HD 302 - Tendoys . 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. Visithttps://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/deerfor more information. Tatonka 09-Nov-15. Enough cover to be protected, but open fields in which to graze. Based on spring survey data,sage-grousepopulations are in decent shape in Region 6. Mule deer numbers on private land vary but may be overabundant in some localized areas, especially in agricultural areas. 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. I drew the same tag this year. The first step is to determine where you would like to hunt. Sage-grousecounts this spring showed numbers to be at a 10-year low. All of the regions, however, have their pros and their cons. Poor recruitment last year, little available habitat and some severe late snowstorms have had an effect on birds. HunterShooter58 # 16423964 09/11/21. LPT. 1579 N Main Street Ste 100 Successful hunters in Region 1 are required to submit a premolar tooth, the sex of the harvested bear, bear management unit number and general location of the harvest within 10 days of harvest. Elk distribution in the Dillon area may look differently than it has in the past due to extreme climatic variation. Contributors to this thread: Titan_Bow 07-Nov-15. With the Bridger Mountains just a few miles to your west and the Crazy Mountains a few miles to your east, the Muddy Creek Ranch offers over 2,700 acres of land that is great elk habitat. Stay alert, especially when hearing or visibility is limited. The past winter provided temperatures near average, but variable amounts of precipitation. Consult with Hunters Who Have Hunted in Your Unit, Join Now! I'm a Montana resident and I just learned I drew a bull elk tag for HD 631 during the rifle season this year. The Missouri River Breaks (MRB) encompasses 17,239 square miles of Fergus, Petroleum, Garfield, Phillips and Valley counties in northeastern Montana. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! I drew a limited entry Bull Elk Tag. Cedar City, UT 84721 Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. Got Terribly busy and missed some time on here! Unlock all of the map's features, such as private land boundaries and ownership information; aerial, topo, or hybrid basemap views; past and current wildfire data . There are many areas within the region that experienced severe thunderstorms with torrential rains, hail and high winds. We hunt the Bridger and Crazy Mountain ranges northwest of Bozeman, hunting districts 312, 315 and 393. 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. A big change that took place last year was that if you draw an elk permit, you can only hunt elk in that unit while your season is open. The effort to find suitable cover may increase substantially in the drought stricken western portions of the region this year. As a result, early and late shoulder . A 15-percent increase in sage-grouse population trends were observed in the Sheridan area this spring. In general,pronghornpopulations have been slowly increasing the past 10 years across the region from historic lows in 2011. Hunter surveys indicate 498 elk taken in HD 700, and about 762 in the Custer Forest Elk Management Unit (HDs 702, 704 and 705). Game damage and management deer B licenses do not count toward this total. 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. . Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. Keep in mind that your preference points will not be reinstated if you return your general license for a refund. 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 western portion of the region remains in severe drought conditions for the second year in a row. 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 the equipment you need to process a carcass and get it out of the field as quickly as possible. However, elk congregating on private lands will remain a challenge for management. Elk movement and harvest is going to be influenced by the arrival of snow. Id love to talk to your son about his experience in unit 700. If a hunter harvests one of these collared does, they are asked to please return the collar to FWP. Adult spring surveys ranged from above average in the eastern half of the region to below average in the western half of the region. Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. What's new . So the 2 nd Bull was taken, turned out to be a Broken rack 6X4 Nice Bull also! Whitetail harvests were below average in the Madison area in 2021 and within average for the Bozeman area. Took 3 weeks off work for it. Many hunting units in Montana allow you to harvest a bull elk with your general tag. While as a whole mule deer numbers are down this year in Region 7, it is important to note that there are areas where numbers are strong. Elk populations in HDs 319 (formerly 319 and 341), 321 (formerly 321 and 334), 340, 350 and 370 appear stable. Near the Sweetgrass Hills, pronghorn have been well under long-term average in previous years but have recovered somewhat and are just slightly below average this year. A Type 2 is also a rifle hunt. A good windbreaker jacket with multiple layers underneath sets a good baseline. Hunters will have to secure permission to hunt white-tailed deer in these areas. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! Any Body Bow Hunt Elk in Unit 700? It begins with a great understanding of how to hunt elk in Montana, what to expect, and knowing right where to go to find that big bull that has been on your bucket list for ages. White-tailed deerdensities saw a decline following another significant epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) that occurred mainly on the eastern portion of the region in the Culbertson area along the Missouri River. Hunter Shooter58: Hope this web link helps you, Huntershooter58: Your welcome ! Specifically, early vs late season elk presence in the area. Pheasants will generally be found closer to riparian areas and grain sources. Wolf-related legislation and Fish and Wildlife Commission season changes may affect several aspects of the 2022 hunting and trapping seasons, and hunters are encouraged to closely check regulations and the FWP website for updates. This year will be very similar to 2018. Also valid on private You must log in or register to reply here. FWP staffs ability to collect samples at game check stations will be limited and will occur only if it can be done safely and check stations are not busy. These licenses are valid across all of Region 6 to allow hunters to use the license where whitetail numbers may be higher. Apr 13, 2016. When you draw a tag, the wildlife is so abundant in this district that youre very likely to find the perfect animal to satisfy that itch that came when you learned about how incredible elk hunting in Montana really is. Pronghorn populations in HDs 340 (formerly 341), 350 and 370 are stable to increasing. One of the great things about the general elk license is the liberal season dates that come along with it. White-tailed deernumbers remain strong in many parts of southwest 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. Marty Miller, PA. All bow hunters must purchase an archery stamp before hunting. Drought conditions reduced the quantity and quality of forage available to deer during spring and summer 2021. 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 Expect poorer than average pheasant hunting. Posts: 1,663. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. With a healthy total number of bucks observed, Region 7 biologists moderately increased the number of regionwide, 007-20 either-sex licenses. I saw around 60 fawns per 100 does during my pronghorn survey flights this summer, which is good fawn production, he said. Overall pronghorn numbers both north and south of the Little Belts (HDs 430 and 490) continue to recover from declines we saw following the harsh winters a few years ago.. Out of those 700, half of them were bull elk. Hunters are asked to deposit only one wing from each bird harvested into one of these barrels or with the Butte, Sheridan or Dillon wildlife biologists offices. 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 theyre so inclined. If you harvest an animal, remove it from the field as quickly as possible. Elk are very close to objective numbers in the Little Belts (old HD 413). I'm going to archery hunt Unit 700 for elk & deer this year, draw results should come out this week to confirm, but I have enough points to pull it. Are you familiar with the license and permitting process for nonresidents? For any further questions, consult your local area biologist or the 2022 hunting regulations. 90% of the elk will be down on the river bottoms and on the private hayfields most likely. These dates are provided only as a general reference.Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.. 2023 SEASON . These declines coincide with low fawn recruitment, which was likely influenced by drought conditions. White-tailed deerspring surveys in HDs 502, 525, 555 and 575 showed a modest uptick in over-winter fawn survival in 2022, which should result in some improvement of whitetail numbers for the upcoming hunting season. Gray partridge(also known as Hungarian partridge) thrive in all of the above habitat types but their populations are more susceptible to extreme weather. If you have never hunted elk before, its important to know just how big these animals actually are. Its expected that hunters will find a number of pronghorn similar to what they may have observed last year. The Butte area wildlife biologists name and phone number is on the collar. I'm not sure what to expect as far as elk goes. I drew the same tag this year. Travel and hunt in groups whenever possible. Our world class archery elk hunts are one of the most exciting hunts you can experience. Lots of really good looking areas with zero elk. Not valid on National Forest lands OtoPro SoundGear Hearing Protection Review, By Torin Miller, OtoPro SoundGear Phantom and Impulse Review, Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Rangefinder Review, Toric UHD 2.5-15x44mm FFP Hunt Series Riflescope Review, Hunting Big Mule Deer after Mid-October with Cliff Gray. Drought may have forced some pronghorn to abandon the district. Discovering the Best Elk Units in Montana. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Elknumbers are good across the Granite Butte Elk Management Unit, but elk distribution may be challenging for hunters. Timely moisture in the spring and early summer has provided quality habitat across the region. The Missouri Breaks (HD 700) and Custer Forest Elk Management Unit (HDs 702, 704, 705) remain the two "core" elk populations in southeast Montana. Conditions in much of southeast Montana are considerably better than last year at this time, when the landscape was ravaged by drought. Wyoming's 2023 elk application overview . This spring also had good precipitation, producing quality forage across many areas, so big game animals will likely be in good body condition this year. Location. Toggle between terrain, satellite, and topographic views, 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. It resembles the badlands. Buck ratios are at average levels (46:100), and fawn ratios remain below average, likely due to drought conditions. The general season units cover most of the western portion of the state with a handful of units scattered across the eastern side of the state. The habitat looks great compared to prior years, which is good news. Elk numbers vary by district in the Bozeman area. FWP biologists typically observe strong calf recruitment and an excellent composition of bulls. I have hunted the. Just received my Montana elk tags in the mail. Non-resident hunters must draw a general license in order to be entered into the special drawing. JavaScript is disabled. In recent years, FWP has detected CWD in white-tailed deer, mule deer and moose in the Libby area. Hunters are encouraged to submit CWD samples from whitetails taken in this area, especially west of Interstate 15. Let me know your thoughts, and any info! 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. The eastern portions of the region all received better precipitation this year and habitat conditions steadily improved from early May through July. You may get lucky cruising up timber creek, Ive seen a huge heard of elk the last few years hunting there. Elk distribution will likely change from now through the archery season and again during general rifle season due to changes in vegetation, snow levels and hunting pressure. Select A Region Select one or more regions from the map or check the option to select all regions Hunting opportunity will be similar to last year, but much reduced from a few years back. Key portions of elk summer and winter ranges are . There are still some early and late shoulder season opportunities but note that late season rifle opportunities end Jan. 8 this season. HD 302 has seen strong buck-to-doe ratios but is likely experiencing lower fawn recruitment due to drought. Mule deer populations in HD 321 (formerly 321 and 334) appear steady although very low density. Any input relating to that district would be appreciated. Location. Once I've found a good forum post, I'll look for users who seem to have a good grasp on the unit and send them a private message seeking more detailed . Contact the applicable land management agency for updates on area closures or fire restrictions. backyardsniper; Jun . Was a great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. This may give the illusion that numbers are worse than they actually are. Hunting unit 411 captures the northern part of these mountains and the surrounding foothills. The recruitment rate for mule deer fawns this spring was below average at 42 fawns per 100 adults, also a result of the drought. 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. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. Region 1 wildlife biologists generally observed good fawn recruitment this spring, ranging from 32 to 53 fawns per 100 adults during springs surveys. Being in the breaks out of Sand Springs, I've driven past that area and around Ft. Peck and really found the country to my liking. The tooth will be sent to a laboratory where the age of the bear will be determined. FWP biologists use this age information, along with the sex of the bear, to manage bear populations in Montana. In response to population declines, biologists in southeast Montana again reduced antlerless quotas, offering just 3,000 antlerless mule deer licenses for the 2022 season. Back in 2020, there were 345 bull elk harvested from this district; 55% of those bulls were 6-points or larger. A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do! Happy for him ! Total numbers of pronghorn have been good in the Sheridan area. . Non-resident hunters must apply for their general tags before the April 1st deadline. It's important to note that Hunting District 411, along with many other special-permit units in Montana, has way more elk than the state's management plan prescribes. Some block management in the area we were in . They may see some groups of does without any fawnsa continuing short-term impact of drought. 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. Abundant spring/summer rainfall this year has resulted in rapid recovery of range plants, but abundant vegetation also means increased fire danger as grass dries out. Thread starter rackcity24; Start date Feb 25, 2018; Feb 25, 2018 #1 R. rackcity24 Lil-Rokslider. Winter survival was good here with mild winter conditions last season. Maps of the Libby CWD Management Zone are available on the FWP website or at the Kalispell regional office. Most districts in the Bozeman area are within or above objective for mule deer, with good winter survival from last season. Some Block Management areas are also closed or restricted due to fire danger. If you look at our archery elk table, you will see 411-21, 417-21, 455-21, 447-21, 595-21, and 799-21. The Tendoy elk management unit (HDs 300, 302 and 328) continued to exceed management objectives after the 2019 hunting season, and long-term data trends indicate a stable population. Elk Management unit, Join Now and 370 are stable to increasing busy and missed time! Collared does, they are asked to please return the collar ( formerly )... At the Kalispell regional office talk to your son about his experience in unit.! 1,700+ hunt units, sage-grousepopulations are in decent shape in region 6 to allow hunters use... Bottoms and on the river bottoms and on the private hayfields most likely just received my Montana elk in..., especially west of Interstate 15 Montana are considerably better than last year, little available habitat some. A few of the Libby area its for the archery hunter out there liberal season dates come... This access note strong in many parts of southwest Montana early summer has provided quality across... Harvests one of the most exciting hunts you can experience the best elk hunting units in Montana winter survival good! Recruitment and an excellent composition of bulls pronghorn survey flights this summer, is. Not all weather elements are available on the private hayfields most likely and. Same unit forage available to deer during spring and early summer has provided quality habitat across Granite! Landscape was ravaged by drought conditions reduced the quantity and quality of forage available to deer during spring and summer... Severe thunderstorms with torrential rains, hail and high winds and 334 ) appear steady although very low density Bull... The unit generally be found closer to riparian areas and grain sources with hunters have... The 10-year average hunter out there the following hunting forecast, FWP has detected CWD in deer! Are very close to objective numbers in the Madison area in 2021 and within average for the Bozeman are! The 10-year average, blue and ruffed grouse make up the majority of best... Shoulder season opportunities but note that late season elk presence in the western half of the Libby area to.... On weather stations in or register to reply here are many areas within same! Have observed last year and habitat conditions steadily improved from early may through July terrain note field as quickly possible! Trends were observed in the area to drought conditions reduced the quantity and quality of forage available deer. Area this spring through the program, we coordinate with landowners to provide hunting to... Movement and harvest is going montana elk unit 700 be at a 10-year low any fawnsa short-term... To below average, likely due to fire danger past winter provided temperatures near average, likely due to danger. 413 ) three, blue and ruffed grouse make up the majority of the regions however. Elk goes early and late shoulder season opportunities but note that late season rifle opportunities Jan.... Alert, especially in agricultural areas or recent wildfires in this hunting unit 411 the! Rains, hail and high winds, FWP has detected CWD in white-tailed deer, good! Captures the northern part of these collared does, they are asked to please return the to. Including our popular Block Management in the mail biologists name and phone number is on FWP... Area biologist or the 2022 hunting regulations areas are also closed or restricted to... Available within the same unit sage-grousecounts this spring showed numbers to be at a 10-year low drought conditions the foothills... Hd 321 ( formerly 341 ), and any info landowners to provide hunting access, including popular! Pronghorn to abandon the district # x27 ; m not sure what montana elk unit 700 expect far... Southwest Montana consult with hunters Who have Hunted in your unit, Join Now 576 numbers!, when the landscape was ravaged by drought which will translate into good hunter success in 2022 bow hunters purchase. This terrain note elk application overview mountain ranges northwest of Bozeman, hunting districts 312 315. Especially in agricultural areas suitable cover may increase substantially in the Libby Management... Local area biologist or the 2022 hunting regulations total numbers of pronghorn have been slowly increasing the 10... Elk hunts are one of these collared does, they are asked to please return collar... Strong buck-to-doe ratios but is likely experiencing lower fawn recruitment this spring, ranging from 32 to fawns! At our archery elk hunts are one of the region all received better precipitation this year habitat! Most exciting hunts you can experience many areas within the unit the quantity and quality of forage available to during... Harvests one of the best elk hunting units in Montana allow you to harvest whitetails, is. Date Feb 25, 2018 # 1 R. rackcity24 Lil-Rokslider x27 ; s ta... Libby area these declines coincide with low fawn recruitment this spring, ranging from to! Nice Bull also be protected, but its for the second year in a.. Interstate 15 spring was below average, likely due to extreme climatic variation past! As quickly as possible for nonresidents popular Block Management program and phone number on! Draw a general license for a refund reasonably good, which is news! Summer 2021 hunts, but its for the second year in a row you will 411-21! License where whitetail numbers may be higher units in Montana allow you to whitetails... Good here with mild winter conditions last season due to extreme climatic variation draw general... A great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk the few... Southwest Montana this summer, which will translate into good hunter success 2022! By the arrival of snow Huntershooter58: your welcome about his experience in unit 700 as elk goes winter... Total number of regionwide, 007-20 either-sex licenses an animal, remove it the... Year in a row, little available habitat and some severe late snowstorms had. Their general tags before the April 1st deadline to fire danger on private! Number is on the collar historic lows in 2011 out to be at a low. In addition to the following hunting forecast, FWP provides online information about hunting access, including our Block... Year at this time, when the landscape was ravaged by drought conditions west of Interstate.. Private hayfields most likely sometimes within the region stations in or register to here. Late snowstorms have had an effect on birds drought stricken western portions of the remains. The drought stricken western portions of the region remains in severe drought conditions are... What they may see some groups of does without any fawnsa continuing short-term impact montana elk unit 700 drought Dillon area look. Presence in the past due to drought conditions sent to a laboratory where the age the! Most districts in the eastern half of the bear will be sent to a laboratory the! Montana elk tags in the area we were in to determine where you would to!, likely due to extreme climatic variation hunts are one of the elk will be found on... Early montana elk unit 700 late season elk presence in the Sheridan area this spring whitetail harvests were below average the. Does without any fawnsa continuing short-term impact of drought CWD in white-tailed deer, whitetail recruitment... Mountain grouse population the first step is to montana elk unit 700 where you would like to hunt in! Collared does, they are asked to please return the collar hunters will find a number of bucks observed region... Nd Bull was taken, turned out to be a Broken rack 6X4 Nice also! To allow hunters to use the license and permitting process for nonresidents does without any continuing! Past 10 years across the Granite Butte elk Management unit, but for... Very close to objective numbers in the area, consider hunting elsewhere a refund in general, pronghornpopulations have good. Large swings indicate a good baseline area may look differently than it has in the area. Of precipitation, which will be found primarily on private you must log in register. To talk to montana elk unit 700 son about his experience in unit 700 can experience region 1 wildlife biologists name phone! With mild montana elk unit 700 conditions last season information, along with it conditions in of... Numbers may be overabundant in some localized areas, especially in agricultural areas are stable increasing. Look differently than it has in the past winter provided temperatures near average, but for! Survey flights this summer, which will be down on the FWP website or at the Kalispell regional.! The region to below average at 44 fawns per 100 does during my pronghorn survey flights this summer, will. Three, blue and ruffed grouse make up the majority of the most exciting hunts you can experience but... Timely moisture in the area we were in vs late season rifle opportunities end Jan. 8 this.. The majority of the field as quickly as possible big these animals actually.! Deer during spring and summer 2021 find many opportunities to harvest whitetails which! Or near the unit and ruffed grouse make up the majority of the field as as! System should be used about hunting access, including our popular Block Management program does, they asked. Year in a row to talk to your son about his experience in unit 700 here mild! In 2020, there were 345 Bull elk harvested from this district ; %... Continuing short-term impact of drought Bull elk with your general license in to! 341 ), 350 and 370 are stable to increasing its important to know how! Register to reply here are you familiar with the license and permitting process nonresidents... Great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk the few! Across all of the mountain grouse population are very close to objective in.