Montana & Wyoming both have early season backcountry elk hunts that open in mid-september. The success rate is higher because the bulls are in full rut. You can locate the bulls with a bugle.

The earlier I can hunt elk with a rifle the better. I have been hunting cow elk only for the last few years in Wyoming. The cow season openson October-1st. inmy hunt area. I like hunting cows early because thehunter numbers are low and they have not been spooked by other rifle hunters yet.