Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Montana Elk hunting question

Does anyone know of a good place to hunt unguided in Montana. Like a certain spot or town where a guy could rent a room or cabin and go hunting like national forest or public ground or even some private with tress pass fees without paying over $3k.

I guess what I am asking has anyone ever rented a cabin or room and hunted public or private ground for Elk without breaking the bank? I am planning on going to the Dillon area but I am open to other areas.

I have a general Elk tag for this season and I am just trying to find a good spot to go that doesnt involve guides and huge tress pass fees.

Thanks.

Good luck with your hunt. Take lots of pics and share them with us!

Thanks tzone

What's your time frame?

Any interest in areas where you'd need to camp?

I am wide open. from Oct 20 to Nov 5 any time in there. I am not going to camp per say. I would need a room somewhere but I can always find that if its a good spot.

Its possible. I remember an antelope hunt I went on twenty some years ago in central eastern Montana. I didn't know a thing about the country or where I might stay. I was prepared to camp if it came to that. I had two antelope tags and a deer tag. That was it. I stopped at a mom and pop gas and diner and got to talking to the owner about hunting and a place to stay. He got on the phone and called a rancher he knew and set me up. Then he called a neighbor who rented out a room in his basement once in a while. Worked out great and super cheap. The people were great and treated me like I was adopted. I wouldn't be surprised if there are not still some places like that in Montana. There are still some good people left in the world and that would be a good place to look for them.

Finding Elk close enough to a hotel or cabin to hunt is going to create some limitations for a lot of the areas I have any knowledge of.
That Dillion is probably your best shot, good of luck and enjoy yourself.

JeffA

pm sent. Thanks for your comments.

Call up Fish,Wildlife and Parks and ask for the phone number of a game biologist in the area where you want to hunt. I have got my best info from Game Biologist`s and Wardens local to where you want to hunt. Call early in the morning before they are gone for the day. If you leave a message expect that they will not be able to respond right away and they might call during the evening. Make sure you get a Block Management book for where you are going to hunt as soon as they come out.Usually around August 1 st . Places fill up fast so do it as fast as you can. DIY Elk hunts in Montana are not easy ,but if you do due diligence you can be success full. Maybe take a few hunts to get one . Ok ,you got one.Now what? How will you get it out ,dressed and processed ? Not easy my friend. I hope you have at least one partner . Good luck.
FWP contact info below:
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks

1420 East Sixth Avenue
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, Mt 59620-0701

Phone: (406) 444-2535
Fax: (406) 444-4952
Email: fwpgenmt.gov

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Keep in mind hunting rugged country can be a ton of work. That work is nothing compared to the work that can begin the moment after you squeeze the trigger.

I did well in the Libby area. That was many years back and I was many years younger.
I wish you luck.

Osky

Things have really changed since the last time you went

you should take a trip and scout before season. Are you humping a back pack now preparing?

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Your physical condition will either make or break your hunt

Elevation is a big deal too.....Not knowing your home location/elevation

MT or any western state elevations can & will kick your azz if you're a flat lander & not climatized

Good luck......Montana is big sky

A decent tent/pad/bag combo is not that expensive and can really open up options that cabins and motels cannot. Might need a heater/stove in the tent that time of year.

you can pick up a tent on sale now, put a buddy heater in it and be much closer to the elk for much less than a hotel.

If you're actually interested in seeing elk let alone shooting one. Better hit the hills now hiking with a weighted pack or hit the stair master at you gym with a pack

I have been hiking in my new Scheels boots people here recommended my new pac with a frame comes tomorrow. Sadly I would have to have a camp that has electricity for a cpap machine which really limits my base camp options.

I am sure its going to kick my ass regardless. I plan on coming a day earlier to let my lungs adjust to the air as much as I can.

bring a battery for the cpap. Many private campgrounds with electricity too

Camping/hunting alone or with bud's ?

Oh yea.......bear spray hasn't been mentioned

Looks like Dillon is 5240' elevation

And up from there to the Elk

X 2

But it's a gentle slope up