Montana Unit 331 Elk Hunting Guide

Montana Unit 331 sits among the state's more substantial elk units, spanning 871,590 acres with elevations ranging from 5,043 to 11,131 feet — terrain that swings from valley floor sagebrush and timber up into high alpine basins. With 83% public land, this is a unit where DIY hunters have real room to roam, and the acreage-to-access ratio makes it worth a serious look for both resident and nonresident applicants planning an elk hunt in Montana.

Elk hunters researching Unit 331 will find a unit with recent, verifiable harvest data, a growing B-Tag quota, and a moderate trophy record history in the surrounding counties. This article breaks down what the numbers actually say about Unit 331, so hunters can decide whether it deserves a spot on next year's application list.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Recent harvest reporting shows Unit 331 producing consistent hunter participation and steady success rates over the last several data years. In 2024, 3,112 hunters pursued elk in the unit and 598 harvested an animal, for a 19% overall success rate. That's a modest dip from 2022, when 2,782 hunters harvested 583 elk for a 21% success rate. The rise in hunter numbers from 2022 to 2024 (an increase of roughly 330 hunters) alongside a small decline in success rate suggests increasing hunting pressure, but the underlying harvest total actually grew slightly year-over-year, which points to a herd capable of absorbing more hunters without a collapse in success.

These are unit-total figures covering all hunt types combined, so they reflect the general elk population dynamic in 331 rather than any single tag category. For elk hunters, the takeaway is that Unit 331 is a working, huntable elk population with a track record of putting hunters on animals nearly one in five attempts — solid for a unit this size with this much public ground.

On the antlerless side, the B-Tag 00 quota tells its own story. Tag numbers held steady at 400 in both 2024 and 2025, then jumped to 500 for 2026 — a 25% increase in a single year. That's a meaningful signal from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks that the herd can support additional antlerless harvest, which typically indicates either an above-objective population or a management push to hold cow numbers in check. Hunters chasing an antlerless tag in 331 should note this expanded opportunity for 2026.

Trophy Quality

Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 331 show a moderate history of trophy-class elk production. This isn't a unit defined by a heavy concentration of elite entries, but it isn't devoid of trophy pedigree either — moderate trophy history means bulls capable of qualifying for record-book recognition have come from this general area, though not with the frequency or density seen in the state's top-tier trophy units.

For elk hunters, this translates to realistic expectations: Unit 331 is a unit where a hunter putting in the time and covering the public-land terrain has a reasonable shot at a mature bull, but it should not be approached as a unit where trophy-class bulls are common. Most hunters here will do well to find a solid, representative bull rather than banking on a record-book animal. Given the moderate trophy designation, this unit is better framed as a solid opportunity unit than a dedicated trophy destination.

Access & Terrain

Unit 331's 83% public land figure is a genuine asset — the large majority of this 871,590-acre unit is open to public access, which is uncommon at this scale and makes DIY planning realistic. There's no wilderness acreage listed for this unit, meaning access doesn't require technical wilderness travel restrictions, though the elevation range from 5,043 feet up to 11,131 feet still demands real fitness and preparation. That elevation spread covers everything from lower valley terrain to true alpine country, giving hunters options to hunt lower-elevation timber and sage benches early in the season and push into higher basins as elk shift with weather and pressure.

Forum discussion around Montana units in this general size class consistently emphasizes that public-land elk hunting rewards hunters willing to get away from easy access points — hunters who "work a little" tend to find elk that others pass over. Given the acreage and public-land percentage in 331, there's ample room to get away from pressure with sound scouting. Hunters should use mapping tools to identify public-land pockets away from main access corridors — HuntPilot's own map layers, including public land overlays, are built for exactly this kind of pre-season scouting work.

Preparedness matters in country this size and elevation. Carrying reliable communication (satellite messenger or similar) and understanding regional conditions before heading into the higher basins is standard practice for backcountry elk hunting in western Montana-style terrain.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 331 Worth Applying For?

Unit 331 earns a genuine look for elk hunters, particularly those prioritizing access and opportunity over guaranteed trophy potential. The case for applying:

• Public land access is excellent. At 83% public land across nearly 872,000 acres, this unit offers substantial DIY terrain without needing to negotiate private access.
• Harvest success is respectable and stable. A 19-21% success rate across the two most recent data years shows a herd that's consistently huntable, not a paper unit with tags but no elk.
• Antlerless opportunity is expanding. The B-Tag 00 quota jump from 400 to 500 tags for 2026 signals growing antlerless opportunity, useful for hunters focused on filling the freezer or hunting a combo strategy.
• Trophy quality is moderate, not exceptional. Hunters chasing a genuine trophy-caliber bull should treat 331 as a solid, honest unit rather than a marquee trophy destination.

Overall, Unit 331 is worth applying for if hunters value acreage, public access, and consistent success over chasing record-book bulls. It's a strong opportunity-and-experience unit rather than a trophy lottery ticket.

How to Apply

Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Montana page at /states/mt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Montana Unit 331? Unit 331 covers a huge elevation range, from 5,043 feet at the low end up to 11,131 feet at its highest points, spread across 871,590 acres. This means hunters can encounter everything from lower valley and foothill terrain to high alpine basins within the same unit. With 83% public land and no wilderness acreage, most of the unit is accessible without wilderness travel restrictions, though the elevation swing still requires solid physical preparation and planning, especially for hunters pushing into the higher country later in the season.

What is harvest success like in Unit 331? Recent data shows harvest success in the 19-21% range. In 2024, 3,112 hunters harvested 598 elk (19% success), and in 2022, 2,782 hunters harvested 583 elk (21% success). These are unit-wide totals across all hunt types, and they indicate a stable, huntable elk population that has consistently put roughly one in five hunters on an animal across recent years.

How big are the elk in Unit 331? Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 331 show a moderate history of trophy-class production. This means the unit isn't among the state's top trophy destinations, but mature, trophy-caliber bulls have come from the surrounding area. Hunters should treat 331 as a solid, realistic unit for a quality bull rather than a unit built around record-book odds.

Is Unit 331 worth applying for? Yes, particularly for hunters who prioritize public land access and consistent opportunity. With 83% public land across nearly 872,000 acres, stable harvest success in the high-teens to low-20s percentage range, and an expanding antlerless quota (400 to 500 tags for 2026), Unit 331 offers a dependable, accessible elk hunt. Trophy potential is moderate rather than exceptional, so hunters chasing a top-end bull should weigh that against the unit's strong access and opportunity profile. Check HuntPilot's Unit 331 page for current draw odds before applying.

Are there antlerless elk opportunities in Unit 331? Yes. The B-Tag 00 quota for antlerless elk held at 400 tags in both 2024 and 2025 before increasing to 500 tags for 2026 — a 25% jump. This expanded quota suggests growing antlerless opportunity in the unit, useful for hunters building a combo application strategy or focused on filling tags rather than pursuing a specific bull.