Montana Unit 704 Elk Hunting Guide

Montana Unit 704 represents one of the state's largest hunting units, spanning over 3.4 million acres across eastern Montana's prairie and badlands country. This expansive unit offers elk hunters access to diverse terrain ranging from rolling grasslands to timbered draws, with elevations between 2,169 and 4,783 feet. While the unit covers substantial acreage, hunters should understand that only 32% consists of public land, meaning the majority of huntable terrain lies on private property requiring permission or outfitter access.

The unit's recent harvest data reveals consistent hunting opportunity, with 2024 showing particularly strong results. That year, 1,601 hunters pursued elk in Unit 704, resulting in 534 harvests for a 33% success rate. This represents a notable improvement from 2022, when 1,322 hunters achieved 342 harvests for a 26% success rate. The upward trend in both hunter participation and harvest success suggests improving elk populations and hunting conditions within the unit boundaries.

HuntPilot Analysis

Unit 704 presents a realistic opportunity for elk hunters willing to navigate the challenges of limited public access. The 33% harvest success rate in 2024 ranks favorably among Montana's general hunting units, particularly considering the unit's size and accessibility. However, the 32% public land percentage creates significant access limitations for do-it-yourself hunters who cannot secure private land permission.

The tag allocation trends show mixed signals for future opportunity. While B-Tag 00 remains stable at 800 tags through 2026 and Permit 21 holds steady at 1,000 tags, Permit 20 received a notable increase from 280 tags in 2025 to 325 tags in 2026 — a 16% boost that suggests Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recognizes growing elk populations in certain areas of the unit. This 45-tag increase in Permit 20 allocation indicates improved hunting opportunity for that specific hunt type.

For nonresident hunters, Unit 704 offers more approachable entry compared to Montana's premium limited-entry units, though success still requires careful planning around land access. Resident hunters benefit from significantly lower tag costs and generally better availability. The unit's moderate trophy potential, based on historical records from counties overlapping the area, provides reasonable expectations for hunters seeking quality elk without the extreme competition of trophy-focused units.

The absence of designated wilderness (0% wilderness) means nonresident hunters can pursue elk without mandatory guide requirements, making this unit more budget-friendly for self-guided hunts. However, the limited public land access remains the primary challenge, requiring hunters to invest time in securing private land permissions or consider outfitted hunts to maximize their hunting opportunities.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 704's harvest statistics demonstrate encouraging trends for elk hunters. The 2024 season produced the strongest results in recent years, with 1,601 hunters achieving 534 elk harvests for a 33% success rate. This performance represents a significant improvement from the 2022 season, which saw 1,322 hunters harvest 342 elk for a 26% success rate.

The increase in both total hunters and harvest numbers between 2022 and 2024 suggests growing elk populations within the unit boundaries. The jump from 1,322 to 1,601 hunters indicates increased interest in the area, likely driven by improving elk numbers and hunting conditions. More importantly, the harvest success rate improved by 7 percentage points despite the increased hunting pressure, demonstrating that elk populations have grown sufficiently to support both more hunters and higher success rates.

These harvest figures position Unit 704 as a productive elk hunting destination within Montana's general hunting opportunities. The 33% success rate achieved in 2024 compares favorably to many general units across the western states, where success rates often fall below 30%. The consistent improvement from 2022 to 2024 suggests hunters can expect reasonable harvest opportunities, particularly when combined with effective scouting and land access planning.

Trophy Quality

Counties overlapping Unit 704 maintain a moderate history of trophy records, indicating the area has produced trophy-class elk over multiple decades. While not ranking among Montana's premier trophy destinations, the unit has demonstrated consistent ability to produce mature bulls that meet trophy standards. The historical trophy production suggests hunters pursuing quality elk can find success, though expectations should align with the unit's classification as a general hunting area rather than a trophy-specific destination.

Trophy-class elk production in Unit 704 reflects the typical pattern of eastern Montana units, where extensive acreage and varied habitat create conditions that can produce quality animals. The moderate trophy history indicates that while record-book bulls are taken from the area, such harvests represent exceptional outcomes rather than routine expectations. Hunters should approach Unit 704 with realistic trophy expectations while understanding that the potential for quality elk exists throughout the unit.

The unit's large size and diverse habitat types contribute to its trophy potential, as elk have access to varied terrain that supports different age classes of bulls. The combination of agricultural areas, timbered draws, and rolling grasslands provides the habitat diversity necessary for elk herds that include mature animals capable of reaching trophy dimensions.

Access & Terrain

Unit 704's 32% public land percentage presents significant access challenges that hunters must address during their planning phase. With the majority of the unit's 3.4 million acres held in private ownership, successful elk hunting often depends on securing permission to hunt private lands or booking with outfitters who have established landowner relationships. The limited public land access concentrates hunting pressure on available public parcels, potentially reducing success rates in those specific areas.

The unit's terrain varies considerably across its expansive boundaries, with elevations ranging from 2,169 to 4,783 feet. This elevation range encompasses diverse habitat types, from rolling prairie grasslands in lower elevations to timbered draws and badlands country at higher elevations. The varied topography creates different hunting scenarios, from spot-and-stalk opportunities in open country to timber hunting in draws and coulees where elk seek cover and water.

Eastern Montana's characteristic landscape dominates much of Unit 704, featuring a mix of agricultural lands, native prairie, and scattered timber. The agricultural component provides elk with high-quality forage, particularly during post-harvest periods when grain fields offer concentrated nutrition. The combination of open grasslands and timbered draws creates ideal elk habitat, as animals can feed in open areas while maintaining access to cover for security and thermal regulation.

The absence of designated wilderness (0% wilderness) simplifies access for nonresident hunters, as no guide requirements apply to any portion of the unit. This factor makes Unit 704 more accessible for budget-conscious hunters who prefer self-guided experiences but must still address the fundamental challenge of land access permissions.

How to Apply

For 2026, Montana elk applications open March 1 with an April 1 deadline for both resident and nonresident hunters. The application process requires hunters to purchase a qualifying license before submitting their draw application, adding to the total cost of applying.

Nonresident elk hunters face application fees of $5, with tag fees varying by hunt type — either $270 or $1,112 depending on the specific permit. Additionally, nonresidents must purchase a $65 license fee (required to apply) and can opt for a $20 point fee to accumulate preference points for future draws. The total cost for nonresident applications ranges from $340 to $1,197 depending on tag selection and point purchase decisions.

Resident hunters benefit from significantly lower costs, with $5 application fees and $20 tag fees for elk permits. Residents must also purchase an $8 license fee (required to apply) and can buy preference points for $2. The total cost for resident applications reaches only $33 when including points, making Montana elk hunting extremely affordable for state residents.

Montana operates on a preference point system for elk draws, where accumulated points improve drawing odds over time. Hunters who apply but do not draw a tag automatically receive a preference point, while those who choose to purchase points without applying can also accumulate points for future use. The point system creates predictable advancement toward drawing tags in competitive units, though Unit 704's general hunting opportunities typically offer better availability than limited-entry premium units.

Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 704 worth applying for as a nonresident hunter? Unit 704 offers solid elk hunting opportunity for nonresidents willing to address access challenges. The 33% harvest success rate in 2024 demonstrates productive hunting, and the unit's large size provides diverse hunting scenarios. However, success often depends on securing private land access or booking outfitted hunts, as only 32% of the unit consists of public land. Nonresidents should budget for access costs beyond the basic tag fees.

What type of terrain should hunters expect in Unit 704? Unit 704 encompasses diverse terrain ranging from 2,169 to 4,783 feet in elevation. Hunters will encounter rolling prairie grasslands, agricultural areas, timbered draws, and badlands country. The varied topography creates different hunting opportunities, from spot-and-stalk in open country to timber hunting in coulees and draws. The eastern Montana landscape combines native prairie with scattered timber and agricultural lands that provide excellent elk habitat.

How has elk hunting success changed in Unit 704 recently? Harvest success in Unit 704 has improved significantly, jumping from 26% in 2022 to 33% in 2024. Hunter numbers also increased from 1,322 to 1,601 during this period, yet success rates still climbed. This trend suggests growing elk populations that can support both increased hunting pressure and higher harvest rates, indicating improving hunting conditions within the unit.

What are the biggest challenges for hunting Unit 704? The primary challenge in Unit 704 is land access, as only 32% of the unit consists of public land. Hunters must secure private land permission or book outfitted hunts to access the majority of huntable terrain. The unit's large size can also present logistical challenges for scouting and hunting multiple areas. Success often requires significant pre-hunt planning to identify accessible hunting areas and develop landowner relationships.

How does Unit 704 compare for trophy potential? Unit 704 maintains moderate trophy potential based on historical records from counties within the unit boundaries. While trophy-class elk have been taken from the area consistently over multiple decades, hunters should maintain realistic expectations for a general hunting unit rather than expecting trophy production comparable to limited-entry premium destinations. The unit's diverse habitat and large size create conditions that can produce quality elk, though record-book animals represent exceptional rather than typical outcomes.