Montana Unit 700 Elk Hunting Guide

Montana Unit 700 sits at the center of a lot of nonresident planning conversations, and for good reason: it's a big, elk-rich landscape with real public access and a harvest track record that backs up the interest. For hunters researching Montana Unit 700 elk hunting opportunities, this unit offers a mix of general-license opportunity and permit-based hunts across nearly 1.8 million acres, with more than half of that ground open to public hunting.

At 1,786,291 total acres and 52% public land, Unit 700 gives DIY hunters a legitimate base of huntable ground, though the elevation range here — 2,221 to 3,385 feet — points to lower-relief terrain rather than high alpine basins. That's a meaningfully different hunting environment than the mountainous units many nonresidents picture when they think "Montana elk," and it shapes everything from how elk move to how hunters should plan their approach. With 0% wilderness designation, there are no wilderness-access restrictions to worry about here — this is drive-to, hike-in country, not pack-string territory.

Herd Health & Harvest Trends

The most recent harvest numbers out of Unit 700 show a unit that's producing results and seeing growing hunter interest. In 2024, 1,757 hunters harvested 661 elk for a 38% success rate — a notable jump from 2022, when 1,560 hunters posted a 32% success rate with 499 elk harvested. That's a two-year trend moving in the right direction on both fronts: more hunters in the field, and a higher percentage of them punching tags.

A 38% overall success rate is a strong number for an elk unit of this size, especially one that isn't relying on a single high-odds antlerless hunt to inflate the average. When success rates climb alongside participation, it typically signals either an expanding elk population, improved access, or both. Hunters should still treat these as unit-wide totals across all hunt types combined — general license hunters, permit holders, and antlerless tag holders are all baked into that number — but the overall trajectory is a positive signal for anyone building a season around this unit.

Tag Quotas and What They Signal

Montana issues elk opportunity in Unit 700 through a mix of general B-tags and limited permits, and the quota data gives a useful read on where the state is investing.

• B-Tag 00 increased from 700 tags in both 2024 and 2025 up to 800 tags for 2026 — a 14% jump. That's a meaningful quota increase and generally reflects wildlife managers' confidence that the herd can support more harvest.
• Permit 20 has held steady at 250 tags across 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• Permit 21 has remained flat at 800 tags for the same three years.

The stability in Permits 20 and 21 suggests those hunts are being managed conservatively and consistently, while the bump in B-Tag 00 issuance is the standout data point here. For hunters trying to read tea leaves on herd trend, a rising general-tag quota alongside rising harvest success is about as clear a signal as this kind of data provides — Fish, Wildlife & Parks is comfortable putting more hunters in the field.

Trophy Potential

Trophy record data tied to the counties overlapping Unit 700 shows a moderate history of trophy-class production. This isn't a unit with a thin or absent trophy record — there's a real history here — but it also isn't in the same conversation as the handful of elite low-elevation or wilderness-fringe units that dominate record books year after year. Hunters should read this as: mature bulls are present and have been taken from this area, but hunters chasing an exceptional or elite-class bull should treat Unit 700 as a solid opportunity unit first, and a trophy destination second. Most hunters filling tags here will be doing so on solid, representative bulls rather than record-book giants, which is consistent with what the moderate trophy classification implies.

Access & Terrain

With 52% public land, hunters have a genuine base of huntable public ground to work with in Unit 700, but that also means roughly half the unit is private. This is not a unit where hunters should assume they can wander freely — knowing exactly where public boundaries lie matters more here than in units with 70-80% public ownership. Hunters relying on public land access should expect to do their homework on parcel boundaries before the season, and HuntPilot's public land mapping tools are a good starting point for identifying where that 52% actually sits relative to elk habitat.

The elevation band of 2,221 to 3,385 feet is low by Montana elk-unit standards. This is not high-country hunting — expect rolling terrain, breaks, and lower-elevation habitat types rather than alpine cirques or timbered high ridgelines. That has practical implications: elk behavior in this kind of terrain tends to be driven more by agricultural interface, water, and cover patches than by elevation-driven migration off summer range. With 0% wilderness in the unit, there's no wilderness-access permitting or guide requirement to plan around — every acre of public land here is accessible without special designation concerns.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 700 Worth Applying For?

Based on the data, Unit 700 earns a genuine "yes, with the right expectations" from HuntPilot's analysis. Here's the case:

In favor: Harvest success is trending upward (32% to 38% between 2022 and 2024), participation is growing, and the B-Tag 00 quota increase for 2026 suggests wildlife managers see room for more hunters without damaging the herd. More than half the unit is public land, and the complete absence of wilderness designation means there's no guide requirement or wilderness-access complexity for nonresidents to navigate — this is DIY-viable public land hunting.

Tempering factors: Trophy potential is moderate rather than exceptional, so hunters chasing a wall-hanger bull should calibrate expectations accordingly. The lower elevation profile also means this isn't classic high-country elk hunting — hunters need to adjust their scouting and stalking approach for the terrain type rather than assuming standard mountain-elk tactics will translate directly.

For hunters prioritizing a well-rounded elk hunt with a real shot at success, rising quotas, and workable public access, Unit 700 is a legitimate unit to put in the mix. For hunters whose primary goal is a top-tier trophy bull, this should be a secondary consideration rather than a first choice. Current draw odds by residency and point level aren't included in this data — hunters should check HuntPilot's Unit 700 page for those specifics before finalizing an application strategy.

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 700? Unit 700 sits at a relatively low elevation for Montana elk country, ranging from 2,221 to 3,385 feet. This is lower-relief terrain rather than high alpine habitat, and with 0% wilderness designation, there's no backcountry pack-in requirement — access is straightforward compared to mountainous, wilderness-heavy units elsewhere in the state.

What is harvest success like in Unit 700? Recent data shows strong and improving success rates. In 2024, hunters posted a 38% success rate (661 elk harvested among 1,757 hunters), up from 32% in 2022 (499 harvested among 1,560 hunters). That upward trend across both participation and success is a favorable indicator for hunters weighing whether to apply.

How big are the elk in Unit 700? Trophy record data for the counties overlapping Unit 700 shows a moderate history of trophy production. Mature bulls have come from this area, but it isn't among the elite trophy units in the state. Hunters should treat this as a solid opportunity unit rather than a dedicated trophy destination.

Is Unit 700 worth applying for? Based on rising harvest success, an increasing general tag quota for 2026, and 52% public land with no wilderness-access complications, Unit 700 is a reasonable unit for hunters prioritizing opportunity and access. Hunters focused primarily on trophy quality should weigh the moderate trophy history against their goals. Check HuntPilot's Unit 700 page for current draw odds before applying.

Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt Unit 700? No. Montana's guide requirement for nonresidents applies specifically to designated wilderness areas, and Unit 700 has 0% wilderness. Nonresidents can hunt this unit DIY on public land without an outfitter requirement.

How much public land is available in Unit 700? 52% of the unit's 1,786,291 acres is public land. That leaves roughly half the unit in private ownership, so hunters should carefully map boundaries in advance rather than assuming open access across the entire unit.