mtmuley, When we spent a month out there we were in the Bitter Root valley a couple of times late in June, and it is one of my favorite places. As I recall, it was much greener than most anywhere else even as late as we were there. When I looked into getting an outfitter for this fall, I contacted a few in your area, and one of them would have been my choice for our hunt. However, my hunting partner was really wanting a good muley and felt chances would be better between Livingston and Yellowstone. I'm not so sure, but this is his first trip out and I went along with it. Maybe next time!
Regarding the out of state licenses, you make some good points. So far I've been able to get drawn every other year. I hope that trend continues. My guess is that the state of the economy along with the increase in the cost of the license has held the number of applicants down the last three or four years, and made getting drawn a little easier. My brother-in-law, who has hunted with me the last three times, wasn't successful this year.
Going with an outfitter at least one time makes good sense to me. I havn't had any luck with elk on my three do it yourself hunts, so it may be time to see how someone who knows what they are doing operates. The big problem is that I don't have the money to do that often. Years ago when I came to Florida to fish, I would get a guide the first day just to see where and how to fish. Then I could do quite well on my own. I hope this outfitted hunt has the same results.
From my selfish standpoint I wish I could get a license every year since I don't have many years left. But I agree that the quality of Montana's hunting would suffer without limitations.I guess there is no good answer.