Find someone where they will give you an honest update on the wolf populations in that area. If you go with an outfitter that has high wolf numbers there will be elk there but they wont be very vocal. I had a good friend hunt the bob marshal wilderness this past Sept 13th through the 20th and hardly heard a bugle. The wolves have really hurt the elk in that state.

 

I've taken 2 elk with a bow hunting with Glenn Smith - 5S Ranch Outfitters - out of Trout Creek, MT. This was in the late 80's and he may have retired and his son Jeff started Bullseye Outfitters with a friend of his from Michigan, not sure if they're still in business or not. A DIY hunt might be difficult if you're not familiar with the area. And there's only 2 directions in that section of Montana - straight up and straight down!

The morning I shot my first elk in '87, we watched a bull shred a tree about 100 yards up the side hill. I heard some coyotes howl and the bull moved off. I asked Jeff if those coyotes scared the bull off and he said those weren't coyotes howling they were wolves!

We cut up my elk and moved it into the shade and then hiked backed down to the truck as we were going to go back to get the horse to pack it out. We had parked at the start of a slag road that was blocked off for vehicle travel. When I got into the truck there was a sign that I didn't notice in the dark morning that read "Caution - Grizzly Bear Habitat". Now that perked up the old butt cheeks?

Good luck.

 

Look at any outfitter in the White Sulfer area with leased private land,you can shoot a bull as they walk out of the hay field the first morning of the hunt.

 

Wolves are thick in the south west side of the state. Libs are trying to get more grizzlies around the area as well. They are being spotted in the big hole with more regularity.

 

Spent a week in the big hole last year (2017). Didnt see any bear or bear sign. Glad I didnt!

May go back this year.

 

You might want to look at Colorado as they have neither wolves nor grizzlies and most archery tags are OTC. I have hunted with AEI OUTFITTERS out of Almont. I have also hone DIY. I have taken an elk on each hunt I have been on (4 hunts 4 elk). Trophy size " over 340"" are hard to come by but opportunity is there. The state has te largest elk herd in the world.

 

Iron wheel ranch out of whitehall,mt is a good outfitter service. The wolves have not hurt the elk population at all here. Ive lived here my whole life. The missouri breaks in eastern montana is also great elk country. Im in southwestern mt and we have great elk hunting all directions.

 

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