Montana nonresident application

[Cougeyes]

Had a question about putting in for a montana non-resident deer combination license.  I see where it says that if an elk hunter draws a license but failed to draw a permit they could get 80% refund back if they didn't want to hunt the general season. I didn't see anything about if i drew the deer combo license and failed to draw a permit(if i put in for one of course) that they would refund any money.  I'm sure its stated in their regs but i didn't see it.  Anyone know the answer to this?  Thanks.

[JLS]

The refund offer does not apply if you don't draw your LE deer permit, only elk.  If you don't draw your LE elk permit, you can keep the deer portion of the combo and get refunded the elk, but not vice versa.  Or, you can return all of it for an 80% refund.

[Cougeyes]

So in other words i better confident in drawing a permit (i.e. having enough points built up) before i even bother putting in for a license if i dont intend to hunt the general season because they wont give me a refund? I just found where it says you must obtain a license before even putting in for a deer permit. 

[JLS]

So in other words i better confident in drawing a permit (i.e. having enough points built up) before i even bother putting in for a license if i dont intend to hunt the general season because they wont give me a refund? I just found where it says you must obtain a license before even putting in for a deer permit.

Yes.

There is plenty of good deer hunting in MT without a LE permit.

[Cougeyes]

I'm still confused though because the way i see it the only way to build bonus points for special permits is obtaining a license first in order to apply.  Is there a ghost point option for a license in order to apply for the permits?  I want to build up bonus points for quality units but dont anticipate hunting there that often.

[JLS]

I'm still confused though because the way i see it the only way to build bonus points for special permits is obtaining a license first in order to apply.  Is there a ghost point option for a license in order to apply for the permits?  I want to build up bonus points for quality units but dont anticipate hunting there that often.

There is no ghost point option, and the only way you can build points for LE permits is to buy the tag and not draw.

What quality deer units are you trying to build for?  270?

[soccerguy]

You can ask for a refund of the elk portion, if the limited entry elk tag isn't drawn as stated above.  You then receive a deer general license.  You can then request an 80% refund of the deer license, if you decide not to go.  There is a date deadline to do this.  I did this procedure last year and got preference points for both elk and deer by applying for two hunts with very low draw odds.

[Cougeyes]

Ok thanks.  I appreciate the info.  No units in particular just trying to understand montana's system compared to Wyomings.

[sm284]

You can buy a bonus point only starting July 1

[NWWA Hunter]

If you are looking for points for deer in Montana exclusively you need to be aware that there are no great deer draws in Montana and only a couple very good ones with horrible odds.  Also if you draw a special tag and have not hunted it before all it gives you are the genetics and lower pressure as you need to learn that area in a short period of time. Most of Montanas best deer will come from general tags or off private land, some of which can be accessed through permission and some through management. Now with Elk its a little different as there are some really good to great tags that you can draw with less points. But the general hunt is not bad either as every year there are tons of nice bulls killed.  The biggest thing is putting in the time and leg work to figure it out.

[JLS]

You can buy a bonus point only starting July 1

I think you have this confused with the preference point that is for the deer/elk combo.  You can buy these without applying, but if you want to earn preference points for the LE permits you have to first get a tag.

[vandeman17]

Last year we didn't plan on hunting Montana but wanted to get the bonus point for elk so we just applied for the hardest to get permit and selected the 80% return if not drawn. We might do the same thing this year but we haven't decided yet.

[huntnphool]

You apply for a Big Game Combo and receive your tags. You then apply for your LE permits. If you don't draw your bull elk permit you can return your entire Big Game Combo license for a elk portion refund (2010 HB607). Montana then issues a Deer Combo license and sends you the refund in the mail.

Keep in mind that if you do indeed draw a LE permit, your tag is only then valid in the unit you drew the permit for. 

[JLS]

Keep in mind that if you do indeed draw a LE permit either for deer or elk, your tag is only then valid in the unit you drew the permit for.

Has this changed then?  At one point this was true for mule deer LE permits but not for elk.

[huntnphool]

Keep in mind that if you do indeed draw a LE permit either for deer or elk, your tag is only then valid in the unit you drew the permit for.

Has this changed then?  At one point this was true for mule deer LE permits but not for elk.

I'm refering to mule deer.