scouting for elk

[finder]

Supposing I wanted to start scouting early this year, -real early...

Can anyone make recommendations of WHERE to go around here? I'm new to SW Montana (Bozeman area) I can find pretty much anything Im looking for back home in the Flathead, but I'm just not sure where to start down here. Have met several Bear Hunters, but no serious others. (there are however LOTS of cyclists, skiers, and hikers, but they strike me as the types that would PURPOSEFULLY point a fella in the wrong direction.

Anyone on this board from this area?

see I have an oldest who will have his first year out this fall, and a youngest who'll have 1 week for HIS first hunting season (last week of rifle) My plan is that by the time school lets out, were scouting at least every weekend right up to the opening week when my 12 y/o will (hopefully) arrow his first elk.

Any advice on best / most populated elk habitats around here would be greatly appreciated

[BareBack Jack]

Finder,
I had a tag down that way a few years ago,over south of Ennis.All I'm going to say is there is a road over there called Johny Gulch road(it's south of Cameron).If you can find that road look for others north and south,take the senic drive through the Maddison range.
Best of luck to ya.
BBJ

[finder]

Thanks for the lead, We'll target that area this weekend if I can get out of the shop (We manufacture custom doors, curved / straight stairs, and high end architectural wood products here in the Gallatin Valley)

[Wolf killer]

Supposing I wanted to start scouting early this year, -real early...

Finder, You will find elk at this time of year on there spring/summer range. IF we have a "normal" year??? The elk will be a long ways in November from where you spotted them in May.
Nothing wrong with getting out early & watching them. Just plan on hunting them in another area.
If you archery hunt elk? You could drive down to the Taylor Fork area & hike around? Just look for last years rubs. Where you find a bunch of rubs, you will find bulls in the staging/display time of the rut. This happens in august & early september. The bulls will come back to that same general area every year.
Rifle hunting is a little harder. You have more people hunting & more people on horses to compete with.
During rifle season I have good luck in the past hunting north of Albino lake. I no longer hunt this area due to the travel time.

Good luck,

Wolf Killer