If you’re thinking about chasing elk in Montana, you’re in for one of the most exciting and rewarding hunts North America has to offer. But one question we get asked more than just about anything else is: When is the best time to hunt elk in Montana?
The answer? It depends on how you like to hunt, what kind of experience you’re after, and what your goals are. As full-time outfitters who’ve guided hundreds of elk hunts across the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, we’ve seen it all—from rut-crazed bulls in September to snowy November stalks that make you feel like you’re in a Nat Geo special. Let’s break it down so you can make the call that’s right for you.
Understanding Montana Elk Hunting Seasons
Montana offers two main elk hunting windows: archery and general rifle. Archery season typically runs from early September to mid-October. General rifle season usually starts late October and runs through the end of November.
If you’re looking at hunting with Crazy Creek Outfitters, we guide hunts throughout both seasons. Each one offers a different style of hunt and a different kind of reward. Here’s what to expect depending on when you come.
Archery Elk Hunting in September: For the Hardcore and the Brave
If you’ve never heard a bull elk scream at 30 yards, let us just say—there’s nothing like it. Archery season is when elk are rutting. Bulls are bugling, chasing cows, defending harems, and just generally fired up. It’s a raw, primal time to be in the woods.
You’ll hear bulls in the early morning and late evening, and when they respond to your bugle or cow call, your heart will start pounding. This is the season for bowhunters who want to be in the thick of the action. You’re not sitting back with a spotting scope and taking 300-yard shots. You’re close. Real close. Sometimes 20 yards or less.
It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to hike hard and stay focused. You’ll likely be moving through timber, setting up on fresh sign, and playing the wind constantly. We call it elk chess.
The weather in September is generally milder. You won’t be dealing with deep snow or bone-chilling temps, but elk can be harder to pattern until they fully settle into their rutting areas. If you’re new to elk hunting but have solid archery skills and decent fitness, this is an unforgettable way to get hooked. If you’re a seasoned archer, there’s no better challenge.
Rifle Season in October and November: For Coverage, Range, and Late-Season Giants
Once rifle season opens, the game changes. The bulls are post-rut, which means they’ve stopped chasing cows and started heading to thicker, more remote cover to recover. They’ve been running hard for weeks, and they’re tired, hungry, and a little spooky. That doesn’t mean your chances are lower—it just means your tactics shift.
We cover more ground during rifle hunts, often using glassing points to spot elk from a distance before moving in for the shot. With the increased range of a rifle, you don’t have to get nearly as close, so we can use terrain, wind, and cover to our advantage.
October hunts tend to be colder, and you might see snow, especially as you get into higher elevations. By November, snow is much more likely, which is actually a plus. Fresh tracks help us find where elk have been moving, and we can plan ambushes based on trails, bedding areas, and feeding zones.
The later into November you go, the more likely you are to find bulls that have completely broken off from their summer groups and gone solo or paired up with another bull. These late-season giants are cagey, but if you can put in the time and stay patient, it can pay off big. We’ve taken some of our heaviest bulls in the last week of November.
Rifle season is great for hunters who want to glass and cover more terrain, who are comfortable taking longer shots, and who might not have the time or interest in the more intense up-close style of archery.
How to Decide Which Season Is Right for You
We’ll be honest with you—it’s hard to choose. Each season has its own rewards. It really comes down to what kind of experience you’re after.
If you want:
– Intensity, action, and close encounters with vocal bulls
– The challenge of getting into bow range
– Generally milder weather
Then archery season in September is probably your best bet.
If you prefer:
– More visibility and long-range opportunities
– The ability to glass and cover more country
– A shot at big-bodied, post-rut bulls
Then rifle season in October and November is where you want to be.
A lot of our repeat hunters come back for both. They love the calling and interaction of archery but also want a crack at a heavy bull once the snow flies. Either way, we’re happy to walk you through the options and help you plan based on your skills, goals, and preferences.
A Word on Drawing Tags and Planning Ahead
Keep in mind that tag availability and hunter pressure can affect your hunt, especially in the general units we operate in. Montana’s non-resident elk tags are limited, and we always recommend applying early. We help every client with the draw process and will let you know what your odds are before you commit.
We also help you understand which units require a special permit and which are general tags, and we’ll be straight with you about success rates and expectations. If you’re flexible on your dates, we can often find the right week that gives you the best balance of pressure and opportunity.
The earlier you get your application in, the better. And if you’re lucky enough to draw a special permit in one of the harder-to-draw districts, we’ll be ready to guide you there too.
What to Expect From the Experience
At the end of the day, elk hunting in Montana isn’t just about antlers on the wall. It’s about the experience. It’s about watching the sun rise over snow-dusted ridges. It’s hearing bugles echo down a canyon while you wait in the timber with your heart racing. It’s the sore legs, the laughs back at camp, and the satisfaction of doing something real.
We’ve been fortunate to guide hunters from all over the country through these mountains, and every one of them walks away with a story. Some get their bull. Some don’t. But they all remember the moments that made it special. That’s what it’s all about.
So When Should You Come Elk Hunting in Montana?
The truth is, the best time to hunt elk in Montana depends on you. What kind of hunter you are. What you want out of the trip. What stories you want to tell when it’s over. Every week of season has its strengths, and if you talk to ten outfitters, you’ll probably get ten different answers. But for us, we’ll say this—there’s never a bad time to chase elk in this state.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a hunt or just want to talk through your options, reach out. We’re happy to help you plan the kind of trip you’ll remember for the rest of your life. And who knows—maybe this year will be your year.