Montana Elk – Have You Discovered Elk Backcountry?

Montana Elk Hunting seasons open in 2009 with Elk Archery on Sept. 5th and will run for 44 days. Elk season usually starts in Montana on the first Saturday in September. Montana is one of our Rocky Mountain states and is home to the Rocky Mountain Elk – also called the American Elk.

Montana also has a specific elk hunting season that draws hunters. They have a Backcountry rifle season. It opens this year on Sept. 15th – during full rut. It is very unusual that a rifle hunter can Elk Hunt at this time. As the name implies, it is in a very specific areas – usually the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area (two distinct mountain ranges) and the Scapegoat Wilderness area (spreads across 3 different National Forests in Montana).

These wilderness areas do not allow any motorized vehicles – there are no roads or buidings allowed – in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. This can be a very challenging area for those unfamiliar with it. The only way to get to a camp will be by horseback. There are several Outfitters in Montana that specialize in Backcountry rifle hunts – It would be worth your time to check them out, if this type of Montana Elk hunt is new for you. There is a huge “learning curve” in the wilderness areas and an experienced outfitter can make a huge difference.

During rut, you will probably want to use an Elk Bugle call. This is the time of year when they are the most vocal. They are either call cows to join their harem or trying to warn off competing bulls that threaten their harems.

If you use an Elk Bugle call – use it wisely. A bad call made will scare off elk. During rut – elk bugle a lot and very loud. When you get closer to an elk, don’t back off of you volume. Elk will usually get louder the closer they get to another bull.