Author Topic: Hunting Montana - Any Advice? (Read 6516 times)

Whitetail Chaser · « **on:** January 20, 2009, 07:30:57 PM »

I'm new to the forum..thanks for keeping such a great site up and running! I'm thinking about submitting an application for a Montana non-resident Deer A Combo license for 2009. Any advice? I've already got the link to the application form. Should I pay the $20.00 for the points option? Do I have to declare a management unit when apply or can I choose later? Also, do you suggest sending a money order or a cashier's check (is one better than the other)? Thanks for any advice you can give me!

ihunt · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:16:41 PM »

it is just a generel tag you can hunt where you want except permit units.I use a money order. It took me 3 points to draw a deer tag pay the 20.00 dollars it is worth it.montana is fun.

huntnphool · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:40:34 PM »

Good luck in the draw

NRA4LIFE · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2009, 08:01:13 AM »

You pretty much have to buy the preference point. You're drawing oddds drop dramatically without them.

BIGBULLBALLS · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2009, 10:47:50 AM »

If I were you I would go for the deer/elk combo. A little more money but going for deer only I havent been drawn for 4 years. With the deer/elk combo you should draw atleast every other year.

Dmanmastertracker · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2009, 12:30:44 PM »

Quote from: BIGBULLBALLS on January 22, 2009, 10:47:50 AM

If I were you I would go for the deer/elk combo. A little more money but going for deer only I havent been drawn for 4 years. With the deer/elk combo you should draw atleast every other year.

+1

Pretty much a two year guarentee, if not sooner.

Roger · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:42:41 PM »

Have been to Montana several times. The first time drew without preference (before the point system) and then everyother year with the point system in the Big Game combo tag. Buy the point. Look at the numbers that apply for the deer combo and the deer/elk combo, a lot better odds.

CSOUTFITTERS · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:03:55 PM »

Yes, definitely buy the bonus point for $20. Ive been going to Eastern Mt for 6 years now and its been a blast. I heard that the deer A license draw is something like 28% with no pts and like 82% for the deer elk combo. Im sure if you did your research you could find the actual percentages. Once you get drawn i highly suggest putting in for Montana permit areas. They have some real quality permit hunts during the rut. Good Luck

Roger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:11:37 PM »

2008 apps.
deer combo 12,364 for 2300 tags 18.6%
Big game combo 19,444 for 11500 tags 59%

Whitetail Chaser · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2009, 08:05:02 PM »

Thanks for the great information! I think I'll apply for the Big Game Combo. Looks like the chances for a draw are much better. I appreciate the help. Thanks also for welcoming me to the forum!

Mark

RPM · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2009, 08:30:10 PM »

goodluck

270Shooter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:04:29 PM »

If I am not mistaken you can draw the big game combo lisense and return the elk tag if you want. You won't get all of your money back, but the draw is much easier. I am not sure about this, but I think I read it on their site.

dbllunger · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:15:05 PM »

Buy the point and put in for the combo. Many areas hold both deer and elk. Check and make sure as they have quite a few restrictions on Mule Deer with some areas draw/permit only. White Tails up the cazzu and all over the state in every little draw, bush, or mountain top.

BuckHunter23 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:26:36 PM »

My friends went to Montana this last year on a party tag, for the Deer/Elk combo. They said you can expect to get drawn every other year.

My question is, what are the odds of getting drawn the first year on the combo tag? Honestly I want to go next year with them, and would hope not to get drawn this year, just put in for the points towards next year. They already have a full party, and I have another buddy I can put in with. Would suck if one party got drawn and not the other.

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:38:55 PM »

Just do it! That's my advice, some really good hunting over there.

Pathfinder101 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2009, 11:06:47 PM »

I wonder how our new regs are going to affect MT? Lots of people fed up and looking out of state in the last 3 days (I'm one of them)...

dbllunger · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2009, 11:32:44 PM »

Would if I could I just can't afford back to back years.

huntnphool · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2009, 09:29:42 AM »

Quote from: dbllunger on January 23, 2009, 11:32:44 PM

Would if I could I just can't afford back to back years.

Spoken like a true optimist

Stomper · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2009, 02:24:05 PM »

Do you have to pay the fee before you get drawn?Or just the point fee and the raffle fee?

270Shooter · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:40:16 PM »

Quote from: Stomper on January 24, 2009, 02:24:05 PM

Do you have to pay the fee before you get drawn?Or just the point fee and the raffle fee?

You have to pay for the whole license and point if you want. So for just deer and a point it will be 363 dollars. If you aren't drawn you get it all back minus the 20 dollars for the point a 5 dollars for a processing fee. So you would get 338 dollars back.

Whitetail Chaser · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:40:05 PM »

Great advice, thanks. Dbllunger, you wrote about applying for a permit to get in the running for a good area to hunt mule deer. Is that something I would do after (if) I get drawn for the Combo A licence? Also, can anyone recommend a good area to hunt mule deer in Montana? Which areas have you had luck getting pulled for a permit and had success hunting? I'm looking at a mid to late November hunt and I can drive to anywhere in the state. What do you think?

Mark

dbllunger · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:47:40 PM »

If you are looking a good unit to hunt MD at that time of year you will have to draw. There are other areas where you can kill a MD, but you can kill bucks like those in WA just as easily. Oh, yes you apply after you are drawn. It is really easy and they publish a lot of stats on success rate. The only problem is they are like WA and a point is a point for antlers. So to them a 4x4 is a 4x4, but there is a huge difference between a 2-3YOA or 5-6YOA.

270Shooter · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:02:26 PM »

Lots of public land over there. But you may want to find a landowner that will let you hunt. I kinda have a connection for a place over there with about 8,000 acres. But from what they have told me a lot of people will let you hunt if you just ask them. This is in north centeral montana.

dbllunger · « **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:06:03 PM »

Most deffinately if you bow hunt. You better start asking early as yes answers turn to no after Sept..

Whitetail Chaser · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:26:42 PM »

Sounds great. I guess I'll wait to see if I get drawn for the Combo A licence and, if I do, then figure out which permit area to try for. Appreciate the help, thanks!

Whitetail Chaser · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:29:52 PM »

Dbllunger, any advice on how best to approach landowners? I plan on making a scouting trip over to Montana this summer. Is that too late to arrange a place to hunt?

ipkus · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:33:39 AM »

Quote from: Whitetail Chaser on January 24, 2009, 07:29:52 PM

Dbllunger, any advice on how best to approach landowners? I plan on making a scouting trip over to Montana this summer. Is that too late to arrange a place to hunt?

A cooler full of smoked salmon has never hurt us...

Stomper · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:46:34 PM »

I send my Dad home to montana with smoked salmon every year.He says people around town will pay big money for fresh smoked salmon.The smoked salmon is a dead ringer,if you want to get somewhere with a montanan.

Whitetail Chaser · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2009, 06:17:14 PM »

Perfect! I'll fire up the smoker... Thanks!

Pathfinder101 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 27, 2009, 03:32:41 PM »

Good to know. I was going to bring a bottle of Pendleton's, but I like the salmon idea better. Wider appeal...

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Author Topic: Hunting Montana - Any Advice? (Read 6516 times)

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