I got my Big Game Combo License for Montana.  I will be heading out there and staying with a friend for 2 weeks in the middle of Sept. I'll be near Livingston and hunting in Region 5.  I have been looking at google and bing maps & the maps from the Parks & Wildlife site. Any tips? What should I expect? etc...   Thanks!

well here is a start,

http://map.mtbullypulpit.org/

Congrats on drawing a tag! I've heard Montana is a tough one. The timing of your trip is pretty good.

What's the main purpose of your trip? Elk I presume.

I am planning on concentrating on elk and when I say elk, a cow elk is just fine. From the maps it looks like I will be hunting in units 560 or southern 580. I got a new GPS and my Montana "hunt maps" SD card should come today. From the satellite images I like the mix of mountains and plains. I've only hunted elk once and that was in 2000 with a rifle. I didn't get either so not sure about processing one. I would think it's like a BIG whitetail. I'm debating on if I should buy a cow call and learn how to use it before I go. I am going to buy some bear spray when I get out there. Just looking for suggestions or tips.  This is going to be all new to me.

Most days I will be traveling from my friends house (He's a Tradganger too) to my hunting area. Planning on renting a smaller SUV. A truck is crazy expensive to rent.

I don't know anything about those units, except that most say there be plentiful Griz all over the mountains south of the interstate there.

You need a cow call and a bugle.  I would get really good with a reed style cow call.  Use the bugle to locate bulls and herds.  As far as being like a big whitetail, I have skinned, quartered and packed a lot elk and I can tell you this.  A big hind quarter off of a bull is the equivalent of 4 quarters from a normal size whitetail.  Your gonna need a sturdy pack frame!