Cow on Tuesday, 422 yards Bull scored 374 6/8. Good luck. As a non-resident, however, your odds (without buying extra points) of drawing a tag land you right around 70%. Get a free account to view the details! Hunters will find better densities and good public land opportunity in this remote portion of Region 7.. The Missouri Breaks (HD 700) and Custer Forest Elk Management Unit (HDs 702, 704, 705) remain the two "core" elk populations in southeast Montana. There is some block management up there along with the BLM and forest service. Archery: Sept. 2 - Oct. 15 Youth, deer only: Oct. 19 - Oct. 20 General: Oct. 21 - Nov. 26 Shoulder seasons: Aug. 15 - Feb. 15, varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons Muzzleloader: Dec. 9 - 17 The exception lies in the northwest part of the state where many region 1 areas and parts of region 2 areas continue to struggle with their elk populations. 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. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Poor recruitment last year, little available habitat and some severe late snowstorms have had an effect on birds. U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.) The light rain Stopped, and the High temp went from 90 degrees to 70. Rifle Elk Hunting. 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. Regulations vary between hunting units and sometimes within the same unit. Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. Bull on Monday 7x8, 389 yards, 300 WM 215gr Berger. 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. Another example is that if you drew unit 380-20, which is an elk permit that is valid on archery, rifle, and muzzleloader seasons, you would not be able to hunt elk anywhere else in the state as the permit you drew is valid for all three seasons. There are 4 OTC hunts in this unit. Forums. been up there on 3 elk hunts. Watch for environmental indicators of recent bear activity. FWP biologists have seen slight growth in the population over the past year, but theyve also seen very low fawn production this summer due to extreme drought conditions over the past two years. Breaks unit 700 question Montana. PO Box 250 This year was darn near t-shirt weather the whole season. HDs 300 and 329 has seen some gradual overall declines in pronghorn numbers. Elk numbers remain robust throughout hunting districts in the Livingston area, though elk distribution may be challenging for hunters. In 2022, all of the non-resident deer permits drawn in units 261-50 and 270-50 were drawn by non-resident landowners. Be extra careful when identifying birds. Thank you in Advance Art Northwest Montana has abundantwolfnumbers and recent population estimates indicate a relatively stable wolf population. Joined Sep 19, 2012 . Those numbers were at or near 40-year lows. White-tailed deernumbers have been on an upward trend in recent years after several hard winters suppressed recruitment between 2017-2019. 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. These populations use the Big Hole for summer range then migrate out of the valley by early November. I'm a Montana resident and I just learned I drew a bull elk tag for HD 631 during the rifle season this year. 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. There are only a fewpronghornhunting opportunities in western Montana. Does anyone care to share their previous hunting experiences in the area. Hunter harvest surveys from 2021 suggest an estimated elk harvest of 41 in HD 703 and 132 in HD 701. From about 2012-2020, mule deer numbers had been increasing in southeast Montana, a result of mild winters and good spring/summer moisture. Multiple years of drought have taken a toll on bird numbers. Grouse hunters headed to Region 6 will likely encountersharptailpopulations similar to the fall of 2021. Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. Winter survival from last season should be good this year. For any further questions, consult your local area biologist or the 2022 hunting regulations. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. The 2021 elk survey in the Bears Paw area was above the 2019 survey and over twice the 15-year average. Generally, mule deer populations remain above average in the eastern third of the region as well as the areas north of Highway 2. Elk numbers southwest of Augusta and in the Birdtail Hills remain above long-term average, with extended (shoulder) seasons in place for both areas to help address high elk numbers. Montana's deer tag runs almost $700, which is much higher than many other Western . What would be a reasonable expectation of seeing elk. 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. Was your friend on an outfitted hunt? Please review thefwp.mt.govwebsite for the most up-to-date information on surplus licenses. 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 Yellowstone River corridor in southern Richland County experienced a more widespread outbreak, but nevertheless whitetail numbers remain good through much of the area. Elk hunting is challenging in northwest Montana due to difficult terrain, heavily forested areas and densities relatively lower than other areas in Montana. A few would be in the pivots up top as well. What's new . Fawn production seemed better in areas with more cropland, but buck to doe ratios were higher in the mountain foothill areas. Hunters will be unable to purchase additional antlerless mule deer licenses during the general rifle season this fall. Best bet is to go early as you can. Due to the drought conditions, juvenile numbers will be down in the western areas and subsequently decrease overall numbers and harvest. Select A Region Select one or more regions from the map or check the option to select all regions Drawing Statistics. That broke the 900 unit into a bunch of different units. Timely moisture in the spring and early summer has provided quality habitat across the region. S. Elk hunting in Montana? While some survey areas have observed increased numbers and are at or above their long-term averages, there are still a few areas where pronghorn are still below their long-term average, mainly in the Havre area. 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. In the eastern portions of the region, sharptail numbers are expected to be fair to good. Was a great opening weekend with snow and cold and lot of elk. Re: Montana Unit 700. Took 3 weeks off work for it. Region 1 wildlife biologists generally observed good fawn recruitment this spring, ranging from 32 to 53 fawns per 100 adults during springs surveys. Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. So this next week I have my annual elk hunt in montana and am wondering if anyone out there hunts montana elk that could help me. Mule deernumbers observed this year on the 14 spring trend areas were 36 percent below 2021 and 47 percent below the long-term average. Theyre happy to help and can often get you pointed in the right direction with just a few simple tips. Access onX Hunt's interactive map below to view Montana's hunting districts for its primary species, including elk, deer, antelope, turkey, and more. 38. The Missouri Breaks (HD 700) and Custer Forest Elk Management Unit (HDs 702, 704, 705) remain the two "core" elk populations in southeast Montana. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Visitfwp.mt.govto see what rules are in place for Block Management properties. 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. Are you familiar with the license and permitting process for nonresidents? Location. 2/3 of the bulls harvested were 6-point bulls or larger. The Missouri Breaks units continue to produce good bulls, but Eastern Montana has been in a drought for the last couple of years. 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 Visitfwp.mt.gov/cwdfor more information. Pheasanthunting on the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area near Ronan and surrounding area could be challenging this year. Protect our herds: properly dispose of carcasses. The hunt planner interactive map is a great way to access our block management information, so if youre planning a hunt in a certain area, you can see if there are Block Management Areas available to expand your opportunity. Hunting district 310 is below objective, and antlerless elk harvest in this district is prohibited. HunterShooter58 # 16423964 09/11/21. MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS . Contact your local area biologist for details on mountain goat distribution and herd trajectories. Apr 6, 2016. Scores . cubdrvr 08-Nov-15. Last winter was fairly mild, which means good winter survival for big game in many areas. I'd archery hunt the deer in the mornings and evenings, and rifle hunt antelope mid-day. Several districts were combined, and HD 101 now has a three-week general antlered buck mule deer season followed by a limited hunt where only permit holders may harvest a mule deer buck. . A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do! 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 . Good luck. Grizzly bears have the potential to be found anywhere in the western two-thirds of Montana (west of Billings), and their distribution is denser and more widespread than in previous years. The center of the region falls in between these two, with pheasant populations starting the year slightly below average. A buddy and I drew that tag this year. 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. It is every hunter's responsibility to know the land ownership of the area they are hunting, the hunting regulations, and any restrictions that may apply. Finding areas with grass higher than your shin, mixed with shrubs and small draws and near a food source (farmland/shrub berries) is a good place to start. Oct 6, 2021. scopeye. New this year, Region 7 changed the way antlerless whitetail licenses are allocated as part of a statewide effort to simplify hunting regulations. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Research the latest Montana Elk Hunting Draw Odds and Harvest Data for Unit 705. 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. Remember that these general units are all over-the-counter licenses for residents and can receive a fair amount of hunting pressure. The center of the region, Phillips and Valley counties, saw marginally improved conditions this hatching season and were briefly out of drought status in July. Id love to talk to your son about his experience in unit 700. Mule deer numbers in HD 329 appear to be holding steady, with some growth over the past 10 years. The proportion of pronghorn that have reestablished their use of this district is uncertain. White-tailed deer populations are considered strong, but pronghorn numbers are mixed, and in many areas, they have still not completely recovered from the tough winter of 2017/18. Based on spring lek surveys forsharp-tailed grouseand crow count surveys forpheasants, recruitment varied from poor to good depending on location. That district now has an antlered buck regulation throughout. The elk can be a bit scattered around the entire unit (N or S of 212). Elk Hunting in Montana HD 302 - Tendoys . I'm not sure what to expect as far as elk goes. 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. The good news for hunters is that each good year for deer production and survival equals a solid year-class recruited into the population, so Region 7 currently has a good dispersion of age classes with a mix of young, middle-age and older animals. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The past winter provided temperatures near average, but variable amounts of precipitation. 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 . The number of elk observed during post-season aerial surveys currently numbers approximately 7,500 elk (Figures 1, 2, and 3). Location Colorado 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. Additionally, the second opportunity 799-30 doe/fawn license,valid only in HDs 704 and 705,was moderately increased due to strong populations across much of those districts. Elk should be in good weight and condition going into the fall after a wet spring and early summer. Most southeastern Montana counties experienced localized die-offs. For the most part numbers are still below long-term averages. Mountain grouse: dusky, ruffed and Franklins. The archery season is September 2-October 15, rifle season is October 21-November 26, and muzzleloader season is December 9-17. Mule deer in some mountain ranges experienced significant declines in the last 10 to 15 years, and although mule deer populations in prairie habitats are faring a bit better, drought conditions have hindered populations in some of the eastern areas of Region 4. Pronghorn numbers in the greater Augusta area and locations near the Birdtail Hills continue to show stability in numbers, although slightly below long-term average observations. HS 58 Just read all this Congratulations to your Son ! Hunters in other regions are required to submit the hide and skull to an FWP official within 10 days of harvest so FWP can collect a tooth for aging. Hunters are reminded to check the regulations as only antlered bucks (i.e. Holders of limited bull permits are now restricted to hunting the district they hold their permit, with the exception of HD 270. I applied for this area but did not draw the special but I did get a general combo tag. 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