Montana - Are Elk Permits worth it?
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: MA_Bowhunter
01-Apr-21
Last day to apply for a NR Montana Hunting licenses and Elk combos. I have been to Montana archery Elk hunting twice. I have a friend that lives there, and we hunt together. Majority of our hunts are via backpack. He has many public land spots he has pre-scouted, and we see/hear elk on them each trip, but so far, no harvests. I have been satisfied with the hunts so far. I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to apply for an Elk permit for these special areas. Are they really that much better than other public land in Montana?
From: Rickm
01-Apr-21
They can be.
From: Ollie
01-Apr-21
In general, Limited entry = less pressured game
From: SBH
01-Apr-21
Some are "better" in theory and managed for larger older age class. We really only have a handful of areas managed that way. Some permit areas are not necessarily "better" but are permitted/limited because there are low elk numbers and they are trying to bring the herd back. They will also permit/limit areas with little to no public access. If you apply, make sure you know why that area is a draw area. MT system is trash and management is done in the Senate rather than by wildlife biologist. Things aren't always as they appear.
From: Pop-r
01-Apr-21
The Montana website absolutely SUCKS! I've been trying to find info on elk b tags for over an hour and haven't found it yet. Those people need choked!!
From: MA_Bowhunter
01-Apr-21
Scoot - yes.
From: MA_Bowhunter
01-Apr-21
SBH - great information. Any advice on how I determine "make sure you know why that area is a draw area"? The hunt planner indicates which areas are restricted, but not why.
From: steve
01-Apr-21
SBH & Pop-r X 2 !!!
From: Mule Power
01-Apr-21
No. Regardless of how many points you have you may never draw while people with less points do. Not a fan of that system at all.
From: bowhunt
01-Apr-21
If I was getting into elk each trip out hunting, I would consider that a good area.
You have 2 years of experience, and know where the elk are. I would just try to figure out what you need to do different to kill one.
From: Rickm
01-Apr-21
Bowhunt, I agree. Unless the pressure is unreal or you have intell on a permit unit. Our go to general unit has gotten overwhelmed with hunters to the point I don't want to go back and we are on elk most days.
From: jingalls
01-Apr-21
No...don’t bother. Move along...nothing to see here!-)
