Montana- what you wished you'd have known ahead of time

[Sundance]

Looking like a strong possibility I'll be hunting Montana in 2025 with the non-resident combo license. I haven't hunted Montana since 2004, and that was only for waterfowl. Focus will be archery elk and rifle deer, lots of options on the table. Going a DIY route with public lands and BMA access, no guides or trespass fees as I'm trying to keep overhead low. This isn't meant to be asking for locations, but a general information on weather, packing, road conditions etc.

For example, would you bother packing a wood stove for your shelter in September, what elevations have you seen snow at during that month? What are the roads like compared to WA? Outside of gumbo when it rains, would 10-ply tires be a must have or just carry a spare tire? Is a SXS or quad better for roads or will a smaller SUV do ok? Do you pack a chainsaw in the truck? What mistakes did you make in your Montana trip or words or wisdom you'd pass along from your experiences.

Always open to PM's or paying for a coffee/beer to pick anyone's brain, appreciate it.

[Mtnwalker]

Are we talking the mountains of western Montana or eastern Montana scablands?

[Sundance]

Are we talking the mountains of western Montana or eastern Montana scablands?

Western Montana for archery elk, eastern for deer

[nwmein199]

Are we talking the mountains of western Montana or eastern Montana scablands?

Western Montana for archery elk, eastern for deer

We hunted western Montana for archery elk in September several years ago. We had 85 degree days and 2 days later we had 4" of snow on the ground at 5000ft of elevation. The FS roads we hunted were fine to drive a truck on (eastern MT is the gumbo) but you can access more places in a SXS. Be prepared for lots of vertical gains and losses hunting western MT for elk.

The gumbo in eastern montana is no joke - if its wet you are not going anywhere. Im talking stuck on flat ground type of not going anywhere. Needs to be either dry or frozen. Hunting eastern Montana middle of November first couple days were below zero. By the end of our trip it was 55 degrees. Eastern Montana where we hunted was kind of difficult to find firewood for a wall tent wood stove but it can be done.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any other specific questions.

[CarbonHunter]

September is a long hunt so packing for early September will be different than late September. Keeping a mobile camp is important if you are unfamiliar with the animal migration as they move fast when the weather changes. Have multiple locations at different altitudes scouted and ready to hunt incase plan A, B, and C don’t work out as planned.

And most of all, you will not be alone no matter how far away you think you are or the week you choose. Montana has a lot of hunting pressure anywhere there is open game.

[blackveltbowhunter]

  If you have access to a quad or side by side take it. I have never felt hindered by not having one in any other Elk state, but I did in MT. The definition of road will depend on how hard you are willing to punish your rig. ATV can save wear and tear and time.

  IME plan to go deep and high, low adjacent to private, or plan to hunt the first week of the season. The areas that are popular and have high density of elk get ran off the intermediate space and it felt akin to a migration into the lower (private) valleys.

   Stove is weather dependent. I never needed one and have been over during varying time frames during archery season.

  I will not be picky on return trips.

[huntnnw]

need more specifics on areas... huge state with drastically different weather and road conditions 

[mburrows]

All the advice given so far is spot on.

[bearpaw]

You don't have to have 10 ply tires, but if you have passenger tires I would take two spares if you plan on being very far away from pavement and its many miles to get tires in some areas of Montana. Take chains for all four wheels, that is one of the best things to have if it rains while you are hunting in eastern Montana or if you get heavy snow in western Montana, you can get out a lot better with chains than without. A small all-wheel drive SUV can work pretty well, but it could take some abuse, are you are OK with that? Know in advance if you can use chains on the SUV? If not then maybe a UTV would be smart. I highly recommended a long tow strap, jumper cables, shovel, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a tool box in any hunting vehicle. A chainsaw could be needed in western MT, not so much in eastern Montana, I like having a small gas or battery saw in my hunting rig.

I would throw in a big buddy heater with a 20 or 30 pound propane tank and propane hose in case a cold front moves in, that's easy heat if needed. Wear long underwear and dry socks at night and a second sleeping bag (one inside the other) can be very helpful in cold weather, you don't have to run a heater all night to be toasty warm in cold weather.

If you are going with another person, have good two way radios and extra batteries for them, there's a lot of areas without cell service. But remember you cannot use them as an aid for stalking game in MT.

[Sundance]

Appreciate all the advice so far, great information.

In Western WA there are areas I hunt where theft/vandalism is a real issue. Some spots in particular I won't leave anything in the vehicle and leave to doors unlocked. I'll find a local camp ground or friend's place to stash my extra gear while hunting those spots. In general, is this something to be concerned about on National Forest lands or major trailheads/parking spot in Montana? I've heard some guys say an out-of-state license plate can be a target, not sure how much stock I put in that.

If you had the option of bringing a dirt bike, would you feel that was a better option over a SXS or quad?

[3nails]

need more specifics on areas... huge state with drastically different weather and road conditions

  This is important information.

[bearpaw]

Appreciate all the advice so far, great information.

In Western WA there are areas I hunt where theft/vandalism is a real issue. Some spots in particular I won't leave anything in the vehicle and leave to doors unlocked. I'll find a local camp ground or friend's place to stash my extra gear while hunting those spots. In general, is this something to be concerned about on National Forest lands or major trailheads/parking spot in Montana? I've heard some guys say an out-of-state license plate can be a target, not sure how much stock I put in that.

If you had the option of bringing a dirt bike, would you feel that was a better option over a SXS or quad?

There is much less worry of theft in rural areas that are far away from the crazy cities. I think there is some validity to vandalism of non-res licensed vehicles, but in my experience it's not a major problem. IMO: Dirt bikes are quick but an advantage of a quad over a dirt bike is being able to haul passengers, gear, critters, and getting through snow.

[Sundance]

need more specifics on areas... huge state with drastically different weather and road conditions

  This is important information.

Region 3 west of 15, and south region 2 for elk. My expectations are low, I'm not going into this for a trophy animal.

Deer is up in the air, more concerned about OTC B-tag opportunities to fill a freezer. Of the two tags this is my lowest priority. I'd be happy with filling my tag on a whitetail or mule deer, but size wise I'm not picky. I've been looking at northern region 4 just to get a change of scenery and not be hunting in the rainforest. Also considered using my boat for a fun access hunt but have pulled back from that idea for my 1st year. There are some type 2 BMA where if I get permission I will commit to that unit.

[Stein]

I hunt central MT every September for deer and elk, always either truck camping or backpacking.  I brought a stove last year just because I had one and used it one night and then gave up.  I can't remember recent history when it was that cold mid September but I would rather a better sleeping bag then messing with a stove.

Having two spares is a good idea, I needed the second one before.

Be very good with maps, just like anyplace.

Quads or bikes are good, I have the latter and use it sometimes but it all depends on where you go.  I like locks and chains because I'm from WA but from what I've seen 80% of the people don't bother and I haven't seen or heard of problems.  You can buy the sticker when you get there at any FWP office or most sporting goods stores.

No big surprises that I can think of, it's woods just like anywhere else.  The regs are different for every state, MT is more lenient in general but read them.  I like the electronic tags, some like the paper ones.

[idaho guy]

 I used to live in Montana before moving to Idaho. I have hunted there as a non resident most years since I moved. I know you narrowed your areas down but Montana is a big state and many areas of the state are just so completely different from each other. I have hunted central montana in a t-shirt in november (rare) but also its been way below zero with 70 plus mph winds (more common) on the same dates but different year. . I lived a few years in regoin 4 and its usually hot in september and cold in november but you cant totally count on that either.   Northwest montana I have been in a snowstorm during archery elk in september . I would bring gear to hunt "normal" weather but be prepared for anything weather wise. Northwest Montana bring a chain saw for your vehicle you will use it. I would bring a dirt bike to get more places to start hunting from  but the 4 wheeler sxs is better to be able to pack gear and animals. I dont know in your hunting area of northwest montana any kind of restrictions they have on dirt bikes but we used them ,when I lived there, to get in deeper and then spike hunt from there. I have been hunting more central montana and southeast recently.  Chains, shovel important in that country because 4 inches of snow quickly becomes a 4 foot snowdrift😂 I dont normally bring a 4 wheeler or sxs for that area. We also hunt the southeast and I dont feel it is worth it to drag a 4 wheeler or sxs down there either. Probably not too much help but what I bring with me hunting in montana changes a lot depending on when and where I am hunting. Its just big and totally different. Sounds like you will be hunting september archery elk northwest and I am assuming november for deer on the eastside?

[Magnum_Willys]

Wind!  There’s a reason many camps have hard sided RV’s for base camp.  Its hard to find a spot with enough shelter to pitch a wall tent in many areas of central and east Montana.  That wind blows!

[CamoDup]

When you're hunting in eastern Mt and it rains the mud turns to gumbo and it is almost impossible to drive in. Stay on the main roads and DO NOT get off into the soft spots. You will get stuck. Same goes for when there are snow drifts but that's anywhere you go.

[Mtnwalker]

Wind!  There’s a reason many camps have hard sided RV’s for base camp.  Its hard to find a spot with enough shelter to pitch a wall tent in many areas of central and east Montana.  That wind blows!

Nothin like sleeping in full clothing incase the tent blows away in the middle of the night, been there a few times  haven't lost one yet but good grief we've been close

[Karl Blanchard]

Wind!  There’s a reason many camps have hard sided RV’s for base camp.  Its hard to find a spot with enough shelter to pitch a wall tent in many areas of central and east Montana.  That wind blows!

Nothin like sleeping in full clothing incase the tent blows away in the middle of the night, been there a few times  haven't lost one yet but good grief we've been close

Well about lost one in 2022.  Was a sporty tear down trying to get the tent broke down while simultaneously keeping it from heading to North Dakota   Had a side tear as well as a few other spots.  Found a sew shop that had canvas, needle and thread. Got a hotel for the night with a large indoor pool area that we commandeered for a work space and my daughter (12yo at the time) went to work.  She fixed it up so nice I've not needed to have it professionally repaired. Proud dad moment. 

50-60mph winds but the real issue was the stakes being inadequate.   Got some home brew Anchors now that solve that issue. I'd not hesitate to set her up with high winds in the forecast.

[Mtnwalker]

Nice work young lady! I'm sure she was excited to leave that hotel and pool to get back in the wall tent after that 

[Sundance]

I used to live in Montana before moving to Idaho. I have hunted there as a non resident most years since I moved. I know you narrowed your areas down but Montana is a big state and many areas of the state are just so completely different from each other. I have hunted central montana in a t-shirt in november (rare) but also its been way below zero with 70 plus mph winds (more common) on the same dates but different year. . I lived a few years in regoin 4 and its usually hot in september and cold in november but you cant totally count on that either.   Northwest montana I have been in a snowstorm during archery elk in september . I would bring gear to hunt "normal" weather but be prepared for anything weather wise. Northwest Montana bring a chain saw for your vehicle you will use it. I would bring a dirt bike to get more places to start hunting from  but the 4 wheeler sxs is better to be able to pack gear and animals. I dont know in your hunting area of northwest montana any kind of restrictions they have on dirt bikes but we used them ,when I lived there, to get in deeper and then spike hunt from there. I have been hunting more central montana and southeast recently.  Chains, shovel important in that country because 4 inches of snow quickly becomes a 4 foot snowdrift😂 I dont normally bring a 4 wheeler or sxs for that area. We also hunt the southeast and I dont feel it is worth it to drag a 4 wheeler or sxs down there either. Probably not too much help but what I bring with me hunting in montana changes a lot depending on when and where I am hunting. Its just big and totally different. Sounds like you will be hunting september archery elk northwest and I am assuming november for deer on the eastside?

I've narrowed down to 3 units with 1 being my main focus for elk. In that general area I've marked 12 spots/access areas to start out from. The plan is to use my truck with a canopy as a base, being able to sleep in the truck with an optional diesel heater/gene combo. I have a cimmaron and a silex, that way I can spike out either solo or with my hunting partner. Typically I'll carry 3-days of food when I head into a new area, but if I'm not in elk or seeing sign I'll typically bail within a 36 hour period to another spot. The plan isn't anything different from WA, keep moving until I find elk and be flexible to changing it up. At this time I'm not planning on bringing a quad/bike, most the areas I've looked at it doesn't appear there will be a benefit to having them. I was able to connect with an acquittance that lives in that general area and he has given me a ton of advice. Thankfully he's a successful elk hunter from WA so the comparisons have been invaluable.

Deer is still very much on the back burner, if I'm not successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would also be focused on elk. If I'm successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would be a bonus hunt and I'm leaning heavily toward hunting an area with good whitetail opportunities. There are some limited entry BMA type 2's that I'll apply for which could sway my decisions. I've heard nothing great about the mule deer situation in the eastern part of the state, I'm not highly motivated to drive that far to shoot a younger class deer. At this point deer is very much still in the white board stage and will probably remain there until I sort out the BMA opportunities and my archery elk season.

[Karl Blanchard]

Nice work young lady! I'm sure she was excited to leave that hotel and pool to get back in the wall tent after that 

we didnt see a high that week over 5° so the answer would be no she was not thrilled  She tagged out hour 1 of day 1 though so she got good practice stoking the wood stove with grandpa all week 

[Karl Blanchard]

Don't overthink it too much Sundance.  MT isn't any different than anywhere else.  Only difference is you're a lot farther from home so you need to pack to be fully self sufficient. Like any road trip have your emergency stuff in the truck ie basic tools, a jump pack is a great addition, Shovel, chains, tow strap, etc.  If you have a small chainsaw that's always a nice little item to pack as well.  Other than that just go hunt.  If roads are dangerous don't drive em. If it gets cold wear more clothes. If it's hot wear less clothes  

Cooler space for elk meat is a must for September. Not sure how much experience you have dealing with elk meat in hot weather but it can possibly take a lot of cubic inches.  150-200qt of cooler space is a good range to shoot for if you need to ice meat.  If nights are cold you can get away with not using ice. Just hang meat at night and place in coolers during the day. Most importantly have fun. Montana is a blast always 

[Sundance]

Thankfully keeping the meat cool is under control. We have plenty of coolers and the ability to pre-chill and get flake ice. The one thing I'm thinking about is processing the skull to meet CWD criteria for crossing state lines. I usually macerate my own skulls at home, so debating on bringing the boiler for skulls, using a pressure washer, or just hitting the easy button and dropping it off at someone with beetles. Otherwise just excited at the opportunity to try something different, it will get really interesting if I actually draw anything here in WA.

[Stein]

I used to live in Montana before moving to Idaho. I have hunted there as a non resident most years since I moved. I know you narrowed your areas down but Montana is a big state and many areas of the state are just so completely different from each other. I have hunted central montana in a t-shirt in november (rare) but also its been way below zero with 70 plus mph winds (more common) on the same dates but different year. . I lived a few years in regoin 4 and its usually hot in september and cold in november but you cant totally count on that either.   Northwest montana I have been in a snowstorm during archery elk in september . I would bring gear to hunt "normal" weather but be prepared for anything weather wise. Northwest Montana bring a chain saw for your vehicle you will use it. I would bring a dirt bike to get more places to start hunting from  but the 4 wheeler sxs is better to be able to pack gear and animals. I dont know in your hunting area of northwest montana any kind of restrictions they have on dirt bikes but we used them ,when I lived there, to get in deeper and then spike hunt from there. I have been hunting more central montana and southeast recently.  Chains, shovel important in that country because 4 inches of snow quickly becomes a 4 foot snowdrift😂 I dont normally bring a 4 wheeler or sxs for that area. We also hunt the southeast and I dont feel it is worth it to drag a 4 wheeler or sxs down there either. Probably not too much help but what I bring with me hunting in montana changes a lot depending on when and where I am hunting. Its just big and totally different. Sounds like you will be hunting september archery elk northwest and I am assuming november for deer on the eastside?

I've narrowed down to 3 units with 1 being my main focus for elk. In that general area I've marked 12 spots/access areas to start out from. The plan is to use my truck with a canopy as a base, being able to sleep in the truck with an optional diesel heater/gene combo. I have a cimmaron and a silex, that way I can spike out either solo or with my hunting partner. Typically I'll carry 3-days of food when I head into a new area, but if I'm not in elk or seeing sign I'll typically bail within a 36 hour period to another spot. The plan isn't anything different from WA, keep moving until I find elk and be flexible to changing it up. At this time I'm not planning on bringing a quad/bike, most the areas I've looked at it doesn't appear there will be a benefit to having them. I was able to connect with an acquittance that lives in that general area and he has given me a ton of advice. Thankfully he's a successful elk hunter from WA so the comparisons have been invaluable.

Deer is still very much on the back burner, if I'm not successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would also be focused on elk. If I'm successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would be a bonus hunt and I'm leaning heavily toward hunting an area with good whitetail opportunities. There are some limited entry BMA type 2's that I'll apply for which could sway my decisions. I've heard nothing great about the mule deer situation in the eastern part of the state, I'm not highly motivated to drive that far to shoot a younger class deer. At this point deer is very much still in the white board stage and will probably remain there until I sort out the BMA opportunities and my archery elk season.

My advice would be to not put too many eggs in the Type 2 BMA bucket.  Lots of funny business with many of them depending on what region you are looking at.  The state allows the landowner to completely run the registration themselves, not like the reservation system in WA which is broken in different ways.

[idaho guy]

I used to live in Montana before moving to Idaho. I have hunted there as a non resident most years since I moved. I know you narrowed your areas down but Montana is a big state and many areas of the state are just so completely different from each other. I have hunted central montana in a t-shirt in november (rare) but also its been way below zero with 70 plus mph winds (more common) on the same dates but different year. . I lived a few years in regoin 4 and its usually hot in september and cold in november but you cant totally count on that either.   Northwest montana I have been in a snowstorm during archery elk in september . I would bring gear to hunt "normal" weather but be prepared for anything weather wise. Northwest Montana bring a chain saw for your vehicle you will use it. I would bring a dirt bike to get more places to start hunting from  but the 4 wheeler sxs is better to be able to pack gear and animals. I dont know in your hunting area of northwest montana any kind of restrictions they have on dirt bikes but we used them ,when I lived there, to get in deeper and then spike hunt from there. I have been hunting more central montana and southeast recently.  Chains, shovel important in that country because 4 inches of snow quickly becomes a 4 foot snowdrift😂 I dont normally bring a 4 wheeler or sxs for that area. We also hunt the southeast and I dont feel it is worth it to drag a 4 wheeler or sxs down there either. Probably not too much help but what I bring with me hunting in montana changes a lot depending on when and where I am hunting. Its just big and totally different. Sounds like you will be hunting september archery elk northwest and I am assuming november for deer on the eastside?

I've narrowed down to 3 units with 1 being my main focus for elk. In that general area I've marked 12 spots/access areas to start out from. The plan is to use my truck with a canopy as a base, being able to sleep in the truck with an optional diesel heater/gene combo. I have a cimmaron and a silex, that way I can spike out either solo or with my hunting partner. Typically I'll carry 3-days of food when I head into a new area, but if I'm not in elk or seeing sign I'll typically bail within a 36 hour period to another spot. The plan isn't anything different from WA, keep moving until I find elk and be flexible to changing it up. At this time I'm not planning on bringing a quad/bike, most the areas I've looked at it doesn't appear there will be a benefit to having them. I was able to connect with an acquittance that lives in that general area and he has given me a ton of advice. Thankfully he's a successful elk hunter from WA so the comparisons have been invaluable.

Deer is still very much on the back burner, if I'm not successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would also be focused on elk. If I'm successful during archery elk then the 2nd trip would be a bonus hunt and I'm leaning heavily toward hunting an area with good whitetail opportunities. There are some limited entry BMA type 2's that I'll apply for which could sway my decisions. I've heard nothing great about the mule deer situation in the eastern part of the state, I'm not highly motivated to drive that far to shoot a younger class deer. At this point deer is very much still in the white board stage and will probably remain there until I sort out the BMA opportunities and my archery elk season.

   

👍 archery plan sounds perfect. Same way I would hunt in Idaho or Montana. Mule deer are defintely struggling eastern montana and we have been shooting mainly whitetails in Montana last 5 plus years.

[Bowbender]

How do you know you will draw a tag?

[Karl Blanchard]

How do you know you will draw a tag?

MT has VERY predictable draw odds for general big game combo licenses. He likely has 2pp which will be 95%+ odds this year.

[OltHunter]

Along the draw odds, I've been kicking around going to MT at some point.

I don't get the after you draw strategy. You can't buy a point that same year. So the option is to go in with 0 every year and coin flip. Not apply, then buy a point after, then another next year and go in with 2.

Whats the advantage to apply and buy the point and go into the draw with 1,when odds are 0%?

And this is only for combo big game. I'm not understanding why you'd pay to apply, buy the 1 point, and be out the application non-refundable portion. What am I missing?

[Magnum_Willys]

Along the draw odds, I've been kicking around going to MT at some point.

I don't get the after you draw strategy. You can't buy a point that same year. So the option is to go in with 0 every year and coin flip. Not apply, then buy a point after, then another next year and go in with 2.

Whats the advantage to apply and buy the point and go into the draw with 1,when odds are 0%?

And this is only for combo big game. I'm not understanding why you'd pay to apply, buy the 1 point, and be out the application non-refundable portion. What am I missing?

    If you applying in a group they use the average so your one point may help.  Tho if everyone else only has 2 you will likely prevent the  group from drawing. 

[matchu865]

The odds aren't 0 with 1 point. I thought they were and applied, since I was planning to hunt mule deer next year in MT. Now I have to figure out how the heck to hunt elk!

[pickardjw]

Along the draw odds, I've been kicking around going to MT at some point.

I don't get the after you draw strategy. You can't buy a point that same year. So the option is to go in with 0 every year and coin flip. Not apply, then buy a point after, then another next year and go in with 2.

Whats the advantage to apply and buy the point and go into the draw with 1,when odds are 0%?

And this is only for combo big game. I'm not understanding why you'd pay to apply, buy the 1 point, and be out the application non-refundable portion. What am I missing?

Maybe I'm not understanding what you're saying...but you can't apply with 0, fail to draw and then buy a PP during the points only period in the same year. If you apply, you have to buy a point then or you forfeit the opportunity to buy one for that year.

The odds aren't 0 with 1 point. I thought they were and applied, since I was planning to hunt mule deer next year in MT. Now I have to figure out how the heck to hunt elk!

Depends on what you applied for. 2025 draw stats are out.

[Sundance]

We applied as a group, two hunters with 2 PP each. We bought 1 point in December and the second point when we applied. We were successful and are going to MT this year. Just laying out season dates for my son, Washington, Montana and Alaska. Looking like I won’t even apply for hunts in Washington and just go ghost points, I can’t afford to draw a tag here and go to Montana. I was just up in Kodiak last week and it looks like this is going to be a good year for hunting the island. Very mild winter, didn’t see any winter kill, and lots of healthy does and fawns. Might be a good year for a November trip to snag a good Sitka this year.