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MontanaElk

MT Elk Unit 281

Total Acres
242,628
Public Land
81%
Wilderness
3%
Elevation
4,103–9,378 ft

Season Dates

YearWeaponDatesTag TypeSex
2026Archery — B-Tag 01Sep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026female
2026Archery — General Archery — Brow-Tined Bull or Antlerless ElkSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026either
2026Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader — Brow-Tined Bull or Antlerless ElkDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026either
2026Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader — Brow-Tined Bull ElkDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026male
2026Muzzleloader — B-Tag 01Dec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026female
2026Rifle — General Rifle — Brow-Tined Bull or Antlerless ElkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026either
2026Rifle — B-Tag 01Oct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026female
2026Rifle — General Rifle — Brow-Tined Bull ElkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026male

Trophy Data

B&C Entries
24
Avg Score
381.3
Top Score
412.1
Recent (5yr)
3

AI Scout Analysis

# MT 281 Tactical Analysis ## Terrain & Hunting Conditions MT 281 spans rugged southwestern Montana terrain from mid-elevation to nearly 9,400 feet, with 81% public land access—excellent for DIY hunters. The broad elevation range and strong public acreage support multiple weapon seasons from September archery through December muzzleloader hunts. ## Herd Quality No current wildlife survey (bull:cow ratio) data is available for this unit. Harvest success rates have been modest: residents averaged...

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Tag Quotas & Applicant Volume

YearWeaponResidencyApplicantsTags issued
4 recent records available — Sign up to see current data

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Harvest Data

YearWeaponHuntersHarvestSuccess
4 recent records available — Sign up to see current harvest data
20228889.1%
20229099310.2%