Montana application question

[huntandjeep]

Thanks guys bought the app yesterday.
 
 Found out my 2 buddies put in as a group and me by my self. What are the odds of me getting drawn by myself ?

[vandeman17]

Thanks guys bought the app yesterday.
 
 Found out my 2 buddies put in as a group and me by my self. What are the odds of me getting drawn by myself ?

For general deer combo pretty much 100%. Last few years have had left over tags

[Timberstalker]

Thanks guys bought the app yesterday.
 
 Found out my 2 buddies put in as a group and me by my self. What are the odds of me getting drawn by myself ?

For general deer combo pretty much 100%. Last few years have had left over tags

A gal at Montana Fish and Game told me they already received in excess of 4,600 nonresident deer combo apps. I have a hard time believing it, but she was adamant.

[vandeman17]

Thanks guys bought the app yesterday.
 
 Found out my 2 buddies put in as a group and me by my self. What are the odds of me getting drawn by myself ?

For general deer combo pretty much 100%. Last few years have had left over tags

A gal at Montana Fish and Game told me they already received in excess of 4,600 nonresident deer combo apps. I have a hard time believing it, but she was adamant.

Ya me either. Will believe it when I see it

[FWilliams]

Thanks guys bought the app yesterday.
 
 Found out my 2 buddies put in as a group and me by my self. What are the odds of me getting drawn by myself ?

For general deer combo pretty much 100%. Last few years have had left over tags

A gal at Montana Fish and Game told me they already received in excess of 4,600 nonresident deer combo apps. I have a hard time believing it, but she was adamant.

Ya me either. Will believe it when I see it

interesting, I was told a couple of weeks ago that they had 4,600 non resident combos but expected  to exceed that number in sales this year, said it would be the first time in a few years that apps exceeded available permits.... I really didnt believe  her, but maybe she was on to something.

[DaveMonti]

The umber of licenses available after the drawing have been declining over the past few years.  It's only a matter of time, and perhaps it's this year, before there are applicants that don't get the license. 
I just hope I continue to get my MT Deer Combo license!

[CaNINE]

I submitted my application this year for the general deer combo. I didn't want to gamble that OTC tags would be available.

[RallyDawg]

I was getting ready to ask a similar question since this is my first time applying in Montana or for any other out of state hunt.  I was just offered an opportunity to go on a guided mule deer hunt in eastern Montana and was wondering if the deer combo was going to be a 100 percent or not this year.  Since this hunt was a gift I don't mind spending the money for the elk/deer combo if that ensures me that I will get drawn for a license.  Since there is 17,000 elk/deer combo available to non-res and only 4,600 for the deer combo, why don't people just put in for the elk/deer combo and opt to give back your elk license if you don't get picked for a special elk permit?  My strategy was to apply for the elk/deer combo and select elk units with less than 10 percent success and just give back the elk license if I don't get drawn while retaining the deer license.  I have read that the elk/deer combos haven't sold out in years and if the state is telling people that the deer combo already has 4,000 applicants I thought this is a better option to ensure getting a license for this year instead of risking trying to get one OTC this summer.

[vandeman17]

I was getting ready to ask a similar question since this is my first time applying in Montana or for any other out of state hunt.  I was just offered an opportunity to go on a guided mule deer hunt in eastern Montana and was wondering if the deer combo was going to be a 100 percent or not this year.  Since this hunt was a gift I don't mind spending the money for the elk/deer combo if that ensures me that I will get drawn for a license.  Since there is 17,000 elk/deer combo available to non-res and only 4,600 for the deer combo, why don't people just put in for the elk/deer combo and opt to give back your elk license if you don't get picked for a special elk permit?  My strategy was to apply for the elk/deer combo and select elk units with less than 10 percent success and just give back the elk license if I don't get drawn while retaining the deer license.  I have read that the elk/deer combos haven't sold out in years and if the state is telling people that the deer combo already has 4,000 applicants I thought this is a better option to ensure getting a license for this year instead of risking trying to get one OTC this summer.

That's what I have done to accumulate points. Thing is you only get 80% of the elk tag funds back if you don't draw a permit.

[Mark251]

I was getting ready to ask a similar question since this is my first time applying in Montana or for any other out of state hunt.  I was just offered an opportunity to go on a guided mule deer hunt in eastern Montana and was wondering if the deer combo was going to be a 100 percent or not this year.  Since this hunt was a gift I don't mind spending the money for the elk/deer combo if that ensures me that I will get drawn for a license.  Since there is 17,000 elk/deer combo available to non-res and only 4,600 for the deer combo, why don't people just put in for the elk/deer combo and opt to give back your elk license if you don't get picked for a special elk permit?  My strategy was to apply for the elk/deer combo and select elk units with less than 10 percent success and just give back the elk license if I don't get drawn while retaining the deer license.  I have read that the elk/deer combos haven't sold out in years and if the state is telling people that the deer combo already has 4,000 applicants I thought this is a better option to ensure getting a license for this year instead of risking trying to get one OTC this summer.

This is a great strategy that will virtually guarantee that you can draw a deer license.  I talked with a gentleman from the Montana Guides and Outfitters Association last week and he told me that they are thinking they just may sell all of the 4600 deer combination licenses during the draw this year. I also talked with an Montana outfitter who shared RallyDawg's strategy with me.  Vandeman is right though...you don't get all of the money back if you don't draw the elk tag.  I believe the difference is in the neighborhood of $100 or so.

[M_ray]

I was getting ready to ask a similar question since this is my first time applying in Montana or for any other out of state hunt.  I was just offered an opportunity to go on a guided mule deer hunt in eastern Montana and was wondering if the deer combo was going to be a 100 percent or not this year.  Since this hunt was a gift I don't mind spending the money for the elk/deer combo if that ensures me that I will get drawn for a license.  Since there is 17,000 elk/deer combo available to non-res and only 4,600 for the deer combo, why don't people just put in for the elk/deer combo and opt to give back your elk license if you don't get picked for a special elk permit?  My strategy was to apply for the elk/deer combo and select elk units with less than 10 percent success and just give back the elk license if I don't get drawn while retaining the deer license.  I have read that the elk/deer combos haven't sold out in years and if the state is telling people that the deer combo already has 4,000 applicants I thought this is a better option to ensure getting a license for this year instead of risking trying to get one OTC this summer.

Ive done it this way several times over the last 20 years or so its a good way to go if you want to ensure just the deer tag. The past 7 or so I have just bought a leftover tag and have had no problems. This year however I did put in for the draw and was not willing to take the chance, as others have said pretty soon there wont be any leftover deer tags available.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I purchased the Big game combo again this year and put in for the draws for deer and elk. Hoping to get another elk this year and explore more of the state. Last year I hunted 13 days in MT and harvested an elk (archery) and my largest deer to date with my rifle.

If I end up drawing either of my draw tags I will probably try and take 3 weeks off from work. After last year I may not be hunting WA again for a while.

[vandeman17]

I purchased the Big game combo again this year and put in for the draws for deer and elk. Hoping to get another elk this year and explore more of the state. Last year I hunted 13 days in MT and harvested an elk (archery) and my largest deer to date with my rifle.

If I end up drawing either of my draw tags I will probably try and take 3 weeks off from work. After last year I may not be hunting WA again for a while.

I hear that. It's crazy how many places where otc tags are just as good if not better than some quality tags here.