RE: Montana public land for elk.
Do you know where Olive Montana is? There is not much there for a night life.
As for elk hunting with a general Tag(I assume that is what you have),you are SOL most of the areaeast of Billings is by special permit only.
The best bet would be get some regs and check around Red Lodge,that would be about the closest.If not a good4-6 hour drive should put you in some Nat'l Forest around Bozeman or the Little Belt Mountains.
Oh by the way there are some good watering holes in Broadus not far from Olive(Miles city also)
Good Luck
BBJ