MTO General Elk Hunt 1

Elk Hunting (General Tag 1)

Montana is best known for its elk. Whether bugling bulls during the rut, or giving pursuit with a rifle, its an experience unlike any other.

Montana's Region 3 is the most densly populated elk region in the state.  

Unit 380 is Montana premier permit draw unit and is the hardest elk draw in the state of Montana. Directly across the road is a general unit where we conduct our general 1 hunts on private ground.

The unit consists of a big valley with scattered alfalfa and hay fields in the bottoms and beautiful elk country as you get higher. 

Currently MTO leases 5 different ranches in our general 1 unit and lease over 25000 acres of private land to hunt in the unit.  We  have decided to conduct 10- 1x1 archery elk hunts 2 per week and 10 rifle elk hunts in General 1 during the 5 week season.

The flats mixed with cuts gradually turn to mountains and meadows with thick timber and scattered open meadows. You will find springs and creeks flowing through the bottoms. The valley floor sits at 4600 ft and climbs to an average of 6800 ft.

Montana Trophy Outfitters has exclusive hunting rights on the ranches and pride themselves in high success rate hunts.

We have killed over 60 bulls in our general area  in the last 6 years with the biggest being 340-350. These bigger bulls being bulls that move over from unit 380. We usually get one are two bigger bulls like this per season.  

The majority of them being first year 6x6's that score 270-280. We sale this as a a high success 75% success rate private land hunt with a target bull of 270in-300in with an opportunity at a 330-340in bull.

General Archery Seasons Reports 

In 2019 MTO took 8 general archery hunters and harvested 3 bulls successfully  all bulls were over 300 in and ranged from 270-330in. One additional bull was hit and survived. 100 percent of clients drew back on bulls within 40 yards in archery season.  

In 2020 MTO took 12  general archery hunters and harvested 6 bulls. One is the current biggest general bull taken 7x7, 4 Bulls (6x6) or bigger and 2 (5x5) bulls.

In 2021 MTO took 9 general archery hunters were taken and 6 of those archers shot at bull elk within 50 yards 2 archers hit elk and 0 elk were retrieved. It was a tough season with the extreme drought. It wasn't our best year but we did shoot at some big bulls and things didn't fall together quite like we hoped. (9/6/0)

In 2022 MTO took 10 general archery hunters were taken 6 of those archers shot at 7 bulls within 20- 56 yards  5 of those elk were harvested and 2 elk lived. It was a good season for us. We had a great period where the bulls did respond to calls and we were also able to sneak in on a few bulls. We were able to kill a big herd bull and 3 other nice 6x6's and 1 5x5. The other 2 bulls shot and not taken were nice mature 6x6's. (10/6/5)

In 2023 MTO took 10 general archery hunters were taken 8 archers shot at 10 bulls and 3 of those elk were harvested. This was a good season for us and calling was very responsive compared to years past. Some quality bulls were shot and not found. It was hard not to retrieve very nice bull elk but the shots were not vital hits. (10/10/3)

 General Rifle Elk Seasons Reports 

In 2018 MTO took 10 general tag rifle elk hunters and harvested 9 bulls in the general area. Scores ranging from 250in-340in.  Seven of the 9 bulls were 6x6 or better and 2 were 5x5s.  

In 2019 MTO took 11 general tag rifle elk hunters and harvested 9 bulls in the general area. Scores ranged from 250in to 340in. Six of the 9 bulls were 6x6 or better and 3 were 5x5's​

In 2020 MTO took 13 general tag rifle elk hunters and harvested 12 bulls in the general areas we lease. Scores ranged from 250 in to 340 in. Ten of the 12 bulls were 6x6 or better and 2 were 5x5 or 5x6.

In 2021 MTO took 13 general tag rifle elk hunters and harvested 7 bulls in the general areas we lease. Scores ranged from 250-340 in.  5 of the bulls were 6x or bigger and two were 5x5 (extreme drought mild year) had 100 percent opportunity on 5x5 bulls this season.

In 2022 MTO took 16 general tag rifle hunters and harvested 9 bulls. Scores ranged from 250-310. 5 of the bulls were 6 point or bigger and 4 were 5x5's.  (16/9/9)

In 2023 MTO took 11 general tag rifle hunters that shot at 9 bulls and  4  bulls were harvested. Scores ranged from 250-351. We harvested the biggest bull to date in this season. Of the 11  hunters 9 hunters shot at bulls. 4 Bulls were killed 3 bulls were hit and not recovered and 2 bulls were missed. The 2 hunters that did not shoot passed on multiple 5 points and rag horns. 2023 was a great season for opportunity but we didn't convert all of our opportunities into kills. (11/9/4)