Rifle Elk Hunting in Montana
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) hunting regulations and dates are released in March of each year. Please check the MFWP website for confirmation of season dates.
Early Season Wilderness Rifle Elk Hunting
We have two early season rifle wilderness hunting camps. One in Hellroaring drainage, and one on private land surrounded by wilderness. We offer early season rifle wilderness hunts from our backcountry camp, Hellroaring. Early season hunts are primary target elk. However, if you have a deer license, bear permit, or wolf tag they are fair game with no extra charge. These hunts book very early. The early season begins September 15th.
The early season rifle elk/deer wilderness hunts are 7 day hunts (day in, 5 days hunting, day out). We hunt 1 guide to 2 hunters, and take 6-8 hunters.
Early Season Wilderness Rifle - Big Game Combo
Elk (priority), Deer, Black Bear, Wolf*
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: Hellroaring Camp
Accommodations: Tent camp and meals provided
7-day trip: 1 day in, 5 days hunting, 1 day out
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combination License
License deadline: April 1st
Other license options: Black Bear & Wolf – over the counter
License deadline: Fall Black Bear – August 31st / Wolf – check MFWP
General Season Wilderness
During the general season we offer several elk and deer hunting options. General season rifle elk and deer wilderness hunts are run out of our backcountry camp at Independence or out of a private lodge bordering the wilderness.
The Independence hunt is a 7-day hunt (day in, 5 days hunting, day out). We hunt 1 guide to 2 hunters and take 4-8 hunters on a hunt. Wilderness hunts from the backcountry tent camp typically take place during the first week of the general season, but can extend to other weeks, weather permitting. We have the use of a cabin and a lodge near the wilderness hunting area as additional accommodation options.
General Season Wilderness Rifle - Big Game Combo
Elk (priority), Deer, Black Bear, Wolf
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: Independence / Boulder Drainage area
Accommodations: Tent camp and meals provided
7-day trip: 1 day in, 5 days hunting, 1 day out
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combination License
License deadline: April 1st
Other license options: Black Bear & Wolf – over the counter
License deadline: Fall Black Bear – August 31st / Wolf – check MFWP
General Season Private Land Rifle Elk Hunting
Our private land rifle hunts are on select ranches near Big Timber, MT and the Lazy EL Ranch in Roscoe, MT. These ranch hunts are 7-day hunts (arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day). Most of these ranches are hunted with a general license. However, we do have additional ranches to hunt if you draw a special elk permit. All hunts include comfortable lodging and three meals a day.
Wildlife abounds on our private land ranches and includes healthy populations of elk, deer, and antelope. All of our ranch hunts are fully guided. Our guides our experienced and licensed by the Montana Board of Outfitters. In order to maximize our hunters’ experience, we limit the number of hunters on each trip.
Big Timber Ranches
The Big Timber Ranch hunts cover thousands of acres of rolling hills with flowing creeks just minutes outside of Big Timber, MT. Elk, deer and antelope primarily populate these ranches, Most of the Big Timber ranches are hunted with General License for elk and deer. However, we do have additional ranches to hunt, if you draw a special elk permit. These hunts are 7 days (arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day). We take 6-8 hunters, and hunt 1 guide to 2 hunters.Elk Rifle Hunt - Big Timber Ranches
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: Big Timber Ranches
Accommodations: Lodge and meals provided
7-day trip: 1 day in, 5 days hunting, 1 day out
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combo license
License deadline: April 1st
Elk / Deer Combo Rifle hunt - Big Timber Ranches
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: Big Timber Ranches
Accommodations: Lodge and meals provided
7-day trip: 1 day in, 5 days hunting, 1 day out
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combo license
License deadline: April 1st
THE DIVIDE RANCH
For the rifle hunter focused on trophy elk, mule deer and whitetail deer, we have a special trophy opportunity ranch that can be hunted with a general license. The topography of the landscape on this ranch provides a unique combination of land management, wildlife conservation, and trophy hunting opportunity with a general license. We use a combination of 4-wheelers, hiking and horses for this hunt.
*This ranch is hunted with a general license. However, a portion of the ranch is a special permit area. The ranch provides plenty of great hunting without the special permit area. However, we encourage you to apply for the special permit unit along with your general license application.
Elk Rifle Hunt - Divide Ranch
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: The Divide Ranch
Accommodations: Lodge and meals provided
7-day trip: arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combination License
License deadline: April 1st
Elk / Deer Combo Rifle hunt - Divide Ranch
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: The Divide Ranch
Accommodations: Lodge and meals provided
7-day trip: arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combination License
License deadline: April 1st
Lazy E-L Ranch
The Lazy E-L is a family owned ranch nestled at the foot of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness just outside Roscoe, Montana. With 12,000 acres of land and 5 miles of river frontage, wildlife abounds in this spectacular, unspoiled setting. The ranch offers a high-quality hunt with opportunity for harvesting respectable size elk and deer. This combination elk/deer hunt is a 7-day hunt (arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day). We hunt 1 guide to 2 hunters and take only 6 hunters per hunt.Elk / Deer Combo Rifle Hunt - Lazy E-L Ranch
Season/pricing: View information packet
Location: The Lazy E-L Ranch
Accommodations: Lodge and meals provided
7-day trip: arrival day, 5 days hunting, departure day
License needed for Elk and Deer: General Big Game Combination License
License deadline: April 1st
Fulfill Your Sense of Adventure.
Licensing information for elk hunting
For Private Land hunting, non-residents must apply for a general big game combination, general elk combination or general deer combination license through the Montana drawing system to hunt elk and or deer in Montana. If you want to apply for a special elk or deer permitted area, you may apply for the special permitted area at the same time you apply for the general draw. Residents must hold a valid elk license to apply for a special elk permit and a valid deer license to apply for a special deer permit.
General licensing information
Important Information for Resident and Non-Resident Hunters before applying for hunting licenses
Hunting Deposit & Payment Policy
A partial deposit of $1000 is required to book your hunt. If you do not draw a license, the $1000 partial deposit will be rolled over to the following year, if space is available, or refunded. The drawing takes place in mid-April. The remainder of the deposit (50% of the cost of the hunt) is due when the draw is posted and is non-refundable. The balance of the hunt is due 30 days prior to your hunt and is non-refundable. Hunts not fully paid by this date will be considered cancelled. We recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance. Montana Outfitters & Guides Association suggests Global Rescue Travel Insurance.
All hunts will include an additional fee of $50 for the Hunter/Angler Defense Fund. This fund was set up by Montana Outfitters & Guides Association for the purpose of defending non-resident hunting and fishing rights in the State of Montana. (Information on HADF can be found in the General Hunting Information Packet.)
We accept Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard only) and Checks. Make Checks Payable to: Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters, Inc.
