Elk in the Breaks 2024
For most units in the breaks, quality and/or populations are in a big downtrend. For those with several years’ worth of points, please use caution in burning them on the rifle permits until we see a significant uptrend in moisture levels and quota restrictions. If FWP cuts back on quotas, it will be even more difficult to draw but as with most Elk in the west, they can bounce back quickly no matter the environmental conditions. I wish I had better news but the expectations of harvesting a 350+ bull are quite slim in Eastern Montana. The exception being the Bull Mountains, but you must have access or go through an outfitter or trespass fee. Elk in this part of the state went through the same drought we did in the rest of the state and held up far better in number and quality simply due to less pressure we received in the Breaks units.
Elk hunting in the breaks is a fall favorite amongst many folks and they come from all over the country. The high quotas during archery season really keeps the area busy and can get frustrating. For the most part, elk are in a pretty good down swing for both numbers and quality. Cow permits are a little lower but still plenty of them out there. Whatever objective they had in mind with the shoulder season, I would guess they got what they were asking for especially in units south of Malta. When applying for permits in the breaks, really pay attention to the regs as various permits are good or not good for the CMR or are only good for one unit or a combination of various units. A lot of people draw cow permits after putting the wrong unit where they plan on going and often go unused. There is still plenty of hunters afield with high quotas during archery season and high cow quotas during the rifle cow season and mule deer rifle season. Those with any of the coveted rifle bull elk permits, do not get in a rush. I think some folks would be better off skipping the first week of rifle season with a bull elk rifle permit to keep from getting frustrated or burnt out. Bulls tend to move back into areas on public ground as the season progresses. Stay positive as you have a highly sought after tag in hand. The mule deer hunters may not be as plentiful as a lot of areas in and around the breaks are struggling more than ever. As this Mule Deer trend continues, I am guessing people with deer tags will start to spend less and less time in the field chasing ghosts but do not put money on it. This could make your rifle elk permit for either sex more enjoyable and possibly bring more success. Plan on seeing plenty of orange though if you are hunting anywhere on the map with color or under BMA.
If I were to pick one factor that predicts where these elk are before season starts it’s water. Besides all the hunting pressure, summer moisture or available water sources is the big ticker in where elk are. On dry years, elk rely heavily on Fort Peck/Missouri River during the night or stock tanks and manmade reservoirs up above. When small water holes are holding water throughout the breaks, they can be scattered, and patterns will change.
During archery season, the first weekend and anytime there may be an elk bugling is going to be busy. October seems to really slow down as folks are getting ready for pheasants and antelope and tired of hiking around in the breaks. Rut activity tends to last to the end of archery season and fewer folks push it to the last.
Always pay attention to weather as it can change quickly. Rain can make life miserable for not only driving but hiking as well. September can also have very hot dry weather so stay hydrated and careful over doing it when hiking in the heat. On wet years, mosquitos can be thick all the way to the Missouri River/ Fort Peck east of Highway 191, watch for heavy rains in August to predict the blood suckers. I believe it was 2015 it was almost unimaginable how bad they were. On normal years its black flies that are more of a problem than anything else.
Water can be an issue throughout Eastern Montana and the Missouri River Breaks are no different. There are some amazing water filtration systems in today’s market, but I still pack my own water with me. I must be desperate to filter this alkali water. I bet anyone that has been sick from drinking unfiltered water can and should be hesitant of putting too much trust in all the different filtration systems on the market today.
If you are not seeing elk while hunting out here, move. Lot of people get hung up hunting an area and burning themselves out when elk are not there. I have hunted some awkward areas that I normally would not spend much time, but elk were there. This is usually dependent on amount of water sources on top. Sometimes these elk will heavily rely on stock tanks up above or the Fort Peck/Missouri River system.
Most other folks hunting around you are going to do the following;
-Have a base camp near wall tent, boat or camper
-leave camp shortly before light (some a little after)
-take a break midday at camp or maybe on the hill
-maybe blind call or get in close and cow call
-hunt til dark or close to
-hang out at camp and go to bed
-take a break about every 3rd day
Some will still have success doing this, especially those that live in the area or hunt here year after year and have a good idea of what works and where elk tend to go when pressured. Without giving away too much, those who are willing to break away from the above-mentioned pattern can have more success. Small spike camps set up away from traffic and being set up without bumping elk as the sun comes up and being where you need to be until the sun goes down is big medicine.
We have had a mild winter in 2023-2024 (except for a 3-4 day absolute arctic blast in mid-January) with a fair amount of moisture melting back into the ground. If we can get some rain in spring and early summer, it wouldn’t hurt anything for antler growth and calf survival. I hate to say this part again, careful burning points for rifle elk permits in the majority of the breaks units. It is not what it was when you started building those points. If the drought ends and we have a slight adjustment in the way it is being managed, a few of the units may be worth a decade of points. A few units will take a lot of adjustment for them to get to half of what they were 5-10 years ago. If I were to put a number on it, anything over 10 points I would be looking elsewhere or just continue building them. Those that are at a certain age, I get it. Most folks around here are prone to help an older guy or gal out that just used a mountain of points in drawing a bull rifle permit so do not be shy in telling local county plates what you have, if struggling with your hunt. I know several locals that hunting is their life and would at least point you in the right direction and maybe help with your hunt for a day or two. During archery season, to each their own.
Good luck and if we are talking numbers, 340+ today is the old 370 with a few areas unable to break 320+ with exception of the Bull Mountains. Any quality six pointer should always be considered great but exceptional today.