Montana Resident - Recommendations

[802flyfish]

Last year was my first year (rifle) hunting in Montana for Elk & Deer. I was unsuccessful with my general tag. I have recently purchased a bow with the hopes of hunting this year with it.

As a Montana resident this will be my first year being able to apply for something other then picking up a general tag. Can anyone recommend a particular unit for archery & rifle that would be worth applying for this year?

Overall, I’m looking for a good adventure and being able to fill my freezer, antlers would just be an added bonus.

 

[daltrix99]

What part of the state are you in?

 

[802flyfish]

Sorry, should of clarified that. Between West Yellowstone & Bozeman. I will be going solo for the majority of my hunting so I was hoping I could find some places where I wouldn’t need to worry about grizz.

 

[802flyfish]

A few people suggested the Breaks for archery, but I’m not sure what my odds of getting that tag would be.

 

[Redside]

I'd hunt general units with your rifle and look at the different archery specific tags for bow.

 

[Riplip]

Take a look at 900-20 archery permit which allows you to hunt approx 20 different units with archery equipment, then as Redside mentioned you can hunt general areas during rifle season. You can hunt Sept - Nov.

 

[daltrix99]

Sorry, should of clarified that. Between West Yellowstone & Bozeman. I will be going solo for the majority of my hunting so I was hoping I could find some places where I wouldn’t need to worry about grizz.

You'll have to travel a good ways north and east to truly get away from Grizzlies. Plenty of great archery hunting in any of the mountains north of I-90, and you wouldn't have to worry about Griz unless you work west towards Butte and Missoula.

I don't have numbers handy off the top of my head for most of the districts, but regions 2 3 and 4 all have a few permit districts (both archery and rifle) that you can expect to draw with 2-5 points. I'd get on FWP's website and scroll through some applicant vs successful numbers, or try a gohunt 30 day trial.

PM me if you have more specific questions.

 

[802flyfish]

Thank you. 900-20 archery permit looks interesting, I like the fact that 580 on their.

I have permission to some private land in district 580, that should help thin the crowds due to where I can pop onto NF land.

 

[----]

How'd your deer hunt near Broadus go?

 

[802flyfish]

How'd your deer hunt near Broadus go?

I had to cancel that trip last minute unfortunately. Saw a few deer around Townsend/Ringling but they were rather small and I thought I would get a better opportunity, which never happened. Came into a few elk in that area as well, but most were on private or to far away based on how late it was in the day. This year I plan on dedicating more time and effort.