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In a couple weeks I'll be driving into MT for my annual prairie dog shoot.I plan to enter Montana from HWY 20 west of Yellowstone . Are there any trails somewhere around there that I might see a Moose ? The Gallatin Range ? What about the Madison Range ? Its two easy driving days from Reno NV to Billings MT ,Im leaving 3 days before my scheduled arrival to PD out fitters place. So I have an extra day to explore a bit. I've never seen a Moose before.

Moose numbers have taken a hit in SW MT last decade. We see them sporadically in the park between West Yellowstone and Big Sky, and along the Gallatin River between BS and Bozeman. If you really want to see a moose around this area I would hit up Red Rocks Lake NWR, which is about an hours drive from West Yellowstone, MT. I see moose there frequently, and it is worth the drive as the scenery around Henry’s Lake and over Red Rocks pass into the Centennial Valley is spectacular.

Friend of mine went horseback riding yesterday up the west fork of the Madison. Turn west off 287 at the Lyons Bridge rest area and go about 9 miles to the end of the road along the west fork. He rode on the higher ground on the north side of the west fork and saw 6 moose in about 2 miles. He also had a black wolf come within 150 yards and watched a grizzly sow and fairly large cub so be warned. We ride up there several times a year and this is pretty common.

If you're going through Billings you might want to enter the Park at the NE entrance and go up and over the Beartooth highway but not if winding high elevation roads bother you:) I've seen moose in that area especially off some of the side roads near the Park boundary.

Thanks everyone.

I just have to ask, is there really such thing as a pd outfitter?

You're kidding, right?

There is still a lot of snow in the mountains. I am thinking many trails won't be passable for a while.

I would second this. Red Lodge has great trails and moose.
We were hiking a few years ago just around the campground south of RedLodge and encountered a moose with our new dog. He went crazy excited to meet the moose and play. My wife freaked and started calling the dog fearful for the mutt, I could predict what was going to follow the dog back and told her to forget that one we could get a new puppy. She didn't find the humor.

The ponds below Mystic lake often have Moose. Great hike also.

This route is dependent on passable mountain passes.

Yeah good point, forgot about the snow, guessing the Beartooth pass isn't even open yet?

if you are looking for moose you will never see one, that being said we had one wonder through our church yard a couple weeks ago.

I'm going to try this Red Rocks NWR area 5/30 hopefully the roads will be open by then.

Red rock pass opened the first week of May. Take good binos and a spotting scope and focus on the willow bog on the east side of the Upper lake.

I'll second Red Rocks however getting over the Beartooth Highway might be kind of a crap-shoot. But it's GREAT if it's open. If not, just go up 191 to Belgrade/Bozeman.

We shot four off deck and trapped one in my pair of traps in the last hour. I must be missing an opportunity.

My best moose-sighting opportunities typically are between Yellowstone and GTNP. South of Jackson Hole and between the eastern entrance to YNP and Cody. If you held a gun to my head and said I had to show you a moose in the next 16 hours, I would head to these 3 places.

Well, did you see any moose? Slay many gophers? Tell us about your trip!

Lots of PD outfitters.
Essentially they get you access to dog towns.
Some provide lodging, some provide shooting benches, some provide meals.
I have used them in sodak on a number of occasions and while not cheap, they have put me on some outstanding shooting.

Hard to find a place for PDs anywhere that ISN'T outfitted nowadays..