montana deer combo

[badnewskruse]

when do we find out if we got drawn or not? i know the deadline is the 15th so im assuming in april?

[Buzz2401]

Ya mid april

[3nails]

    You got drawn.

[badnewskruse]

    You got drawn.

i heard even if you didnt get drawn you can still buy a left over tag until they are sold out. my first year going to montana so im still trying to figure it out ha

[Magnum_Willys]

Last year tag draw success 100% with over tags available until mid july.

[Buzz2401]

I knew that there were surplus Deer/elk combos.  Were there also surplus Deer combos?

[3nails]

 Yes.

[cougfan79]

It has been 100% draw rate for 4-5 years now.  Congrats! You are going to Montana on a hunting trip!

[vandeman17]

Last year tag draw success 100% with over tags available until mid july.

Are the leftover tags for general deer or mainly antlerless? We normally just put in for license each year but this year I am thinking we might see how our other draws in other states go and if we don't get anything, we would buy a leftover tag in Montana.

[Dan-o]

Ever since they jacked the price big time (4 years ago?) there have been left over general deer tags.    Like mentioned above, they were available into June last year.

I'm pretty sure there were a ton of B tags for Whitetail does available as well.

[huntnphool]

Ever since they jacked the price big time (4 years ago?) there have been left over general deer tags.    Like mentioned above, they were available into June last year.

I'm pretty sure there were a ton of B tags for Whitetail does available as well.

 To be fair, they didn't just arbitrarily jack the prices up, the fee increase resulted in a tag every year rather than every 2 or 3.

[NRA4LIFE]

We bought OTC last year after the draw.  Don't bother paying for the preference point, not needed.  If you put in, you will draw.  Been that way for 3-4  (?) years now.

[Dan-o]

Ever since they jacked the price big time (4 years ago?) there have been left over general deer tags.    Like mentioned above, they were available into June last year.

I'm pretty sure there were a ton of B tags for Whitetail does available as well.

 To be fair, they didn't just arbitrarily jack the prices up, the fee increase resulted in a tag every year rather than every 2 or 3.

True enough.

As I recall, they actually jacked the prices by a citizen's initiative, and also cut the outfitters out of guaranteed tags.

[Magnum_Willys]

Yup gave outfitters tags to public now everyone has plenty. 

[huntnphool]

Ever since they jacked the price big time (4 years ago?) there have been left over general deer tags.    Like mentioned above, they were available into June last year.

I'm pretty sure there were a ton of B tags for Whitetail does available as well.

 To be fair, they didn't just arbitrarily jack the prices up, the fee increase resulted in a tag every year rather than every 2 or 3.

True enough.

As I recall, they actually jacked the prices by a citizen's initiative, and also cut the outfitters out of guaranteed tags.

 Yep, but by getting rid of the outfitter tags, they needed to recoup the revenue loss.

[ipkus]

Yep, but by getting rid of the outfitter tags, they needed to recoup the revenue loss.

Correct.  No doubt there were some pros and cons to the change, but ultimately I was for it.  I am tired of the outfitter subsidy programs in Western states.  Nothing against outfitters at all, but if you run a quality business you will always have customers.  Outfitters having guaranteed tags at the expense of other non-residents (or Wyoming's ridiculous wilderness law) is complete horse....

[DaveMonti]

I just found out that there is an opening on the private ranch we hunt in MT, so I'll be trying for a leftover deer combo tag.  I have a few questions I'm hoping some folks can help me out with:

1.  How are the leftover non-resident deer combo tags sold?  Online first come, second drawing, OTC? 

2.  Is it possible to purchase leftover tags as a "hunting party", or is it all individual? 

I know there probably isn't too much to worry about regarding getting a tag, but I have to let the rancher know if myself and my hunting buddy are going to reserve the open week.

Thanks!

Dave

[3nails]

 Shortly after they post drawing results you will be able to buy your tags online. No need to buy them as a group and there's usually no rush. First come until (if) they sell out.

[DaveMonti]

Thanks 3nails! 

[finnman]

Why hunt MT when you can hunt WY for $200 less and then do it every year?
We get a buck deer tag and 2 doe antelope tags for still less than a MT buck deer tag. So tell me what you would rather do?

[257 Wby Mag]

I'd simply rather hunt ruttin bucks in montucky....

[Bigshooter]

I'd simply rather hunt ruttin bucks in montucky....

 

[DaveMonti]

We have a ranch to hunt on in MT.  I'm guessing we'd have to hunt public land in Wyoming.  Is Wyoming a draw?

[badnewskruse]

I'd simply rather hunt ruttin bucks in montucky....

 

[finnman]

Yes, we hunt public, however the unit we hunt opens on Nov.1st, so yes you can hunt the rut.
We also hunt in MT, BLM with doe tags, meat for the pot.
The antelope buck and deer buck tags are 100% draw. So we can hunt every year.
We just look at it and say that $200 covers out gas for the hunt.

[DaveMonti]

I'm trying to find out when the surplus non-resident combination licenses go on sale.  I see that in years past, they went on sale shortly after the drawing results.  However, on the FAQ page on the Montana website, it says:

Q.    When will Surplus hunting Licenses go on sale?
A.    On August 8, 2016 leftover special permits and licenses that did not sell in our drawings will go on sale on a first come, first served basis. These are generally valid for antlerless deer, cow elk, and doe/fawn antelope. In addition some over-the-counter antlerless deer, cow elk, and doe/fawn antelope licenses will go on sale at the same time. A specific listing of these licenses and permits will be available. These licenses and permits can be purchased online, over-the-counter, or by downloading a paper application (the latter is not due to first come, first served basis).


http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/all/nonresidentFAQ.html#question9


I'm not sure if the "surplus" licenses referenced in the FAQ are the doe and antelope permits that are drawn in the summer, or if this includes the combo licenses.  It makes sense that the combo licenses would go on sale as early as possible so license holders can make their plans (especially with outfitters) before August. 

Does anyone know when the non-resident combo licenses go on sale this year?

I'm probably going to follow this up with a call to the MT FWP.

[NRA4LIFE]

Last year they went on sale in May.  Maybe May 1st?