Moving to MT

[gs1150rider]

Hello All,
I made the jump and I am moving to Missoula this month. I plan to spend a year looking for the best land/cabin location within 1 hour(ish) of downtown. I want to hunt elk, deer, birds, and small game and put in a lot of scouting time. I am not looking for "special" spots, but need first person advice on the best general area. Which town/area would you focus your search on? Thanks in advance!

[cbond3318]

It's Montana you lucky dog! Put a push pin in a map dead center of Missoula, attach a string equal in length to 60 miles and draw a dang circle!! 

[gs1150rider]

I did that, but is Lincon better than Hamilton better than Superior better than Ravili better than Seeley Swan Lake area...etc. I would like a more narrow focus/range to concentrate my summer efforts. I recognize this is a nice "problem" to have.

[Stein]

I would priortize what you want to hunt and focus on that.  If it is elk, there are several good books that lay it out by mountain range.  I assume there is similar for deer and other game.  From there, head out during the season and see what is going on.

[MTMule]

I'd love to eastern Montana and get to know the local ranchers.

[pope]

I would priortize what you want to hunt and focus on that.  If it is elk, there are several good books that lay it out by mountain range.  I assume there is similar for deer and other game.  From there, head out during the season and see what is going on.

And wild turkey every direction you look. Don't forget to plant a crop of dental floss (if you like Frank Zappa you'll get it....otherwise don't worry about it).

[CK85]

It's worth a trip to Hamilton just to see the mule deer. I hunted elk there last year and saw some very nice bulls and some monster mule deer.

[Muleyslyr]

It's worth a trip to Hamilton just to see the mule deer. I hunted elk there last year and saw some very nice bulls and some monster mule deer.

Unfortunately that area is a special draw for Mule Deer. Great area but tough to draw. Literally any which direction around Missoula and you will find game. Start towards the north east and branch out from there.