Could use a little help. I put the cart before the horse this year. Usually, I research an area I want to hunt and then apply for a permit/license. This year, I just applied and drew a Montana elk/deer combination license. So, I'm looking for suggestions on places to go. I don't expect you to give me GPS coordinates to your honey holes, but if you know of a unit or two that might offer what I'm looking for, I'd appreciate a heads up.
Though elk will be the primary quarry, I'm looking for an area that holds elk and mule deer. Would be nice if there were a few mature examples of both species in the area, but doesn't need to harbor large numbers of critters, nor a lot of large critters.
My hunting buddy and I like to be able to get as far in as we can on old/logging roads and set up a wall tent at the end of the road. We then hunt 2-5 miles from camp. If we find good sign in a ways, we'll sometimes pack in a few miles. We're both getting a little long in the tooth so we don't pack as far as we used to.
Looking for areas where 4-wheelers are few and or non-existant.
My daughter and son-in-law live in the Kalispell area, so I'm leaning in that direction. However, would certainly be willing to hunt elsewhere, including draw units. I believe we have until the end of the month to submit applications for draw units.
Appreciate any help you can provide.