Gang,Looking for some help,I elk hunted the NW corner of montana in 1983 and did well thats been many moons ago looking to take my boy and go back for a sept. elk hunt is there anyone out there that could tell me how much it has changed,good or bad? The area I hunted was the Seeley-Swan valley,anyone hunt that area?  

In Sept. 2010 I hunted the area near Plains, Mt. which is I believe is around 60 miles or so west of the area you mention. I spent nine days total and six days hunting a number of drainages there with my friend Dan Toelke and saw not even one elk. I saw a total of 22 deer, mostly whitetails and a few sheep in an extremely steep and rugged area. again I cannot speak to your area but not far from there deer and particularly elk have been decimated by wolves.

since 1983 the grizzly bear population has probably doubled also, maybe even tripled

Stay away from NW Wyo as well. Darned wolves killing everything.

Where there are heavy predators (lions & wolves), elk are finding it is safer in and around farmland and open areas. I guess they fear wolves more than man.

I have a good friend in that area and was hunting out there from 2002-2007, never punched a tag and Montana is very expensive for the non-resident. The last time out we did find a few elk that where taken down by wolves though.

Thanks guys,guess I'll be looking for a new place,any ideas?