When do Montana surplus deer tags go on sale?Yeah, I blew it....

[Dan-o]

So yeah.......   I blew it.

How the heck do I find when they put the (hopefully) surplus tags on sale?

I remember from years past that they go quick, and I really don't want to blow it again.

Not feeling very good about my preparation, but now i really want to go.

Dan

[Wingin it]

I believe right after the draw, late April, early May. I am not too sure there will be any deer combos left this year. There should be deer/elk combos though.

[Gamblin Guy]

Usually the first week of August.

[Karl Blanchard]

Right after the draw, so as said, late April early may.  There are always gonna be returned tags.  In years past they have lasted up until nov.  Two years ago it was mid summer when they sold out.  Last year they only released like 450 tags and they went in 10 hours. Better be johnny on the spot this year.  They will announce when they are gonna release.

[DaveMonti]

Dan-o,

My buddy and I got ours last year when the leftovers went on sale.  I called the Montana FWP to find out the date.  For some reason, I'm thinking it was in the summer, June or July, but I could be mistaken.  I think they wait until after the June special permit draw as folks who do not draw a special deer permit can return the combo tag and get a refund (80%, I think). 

We logged on to the online system when they went on sale and purchased them.  I think I woke up at 4 AM to do that, maybe earlier. 

Within a few hours, there were no deer combo's left. 

There are a lot more Big Game combo licenses available, so you may have some luck with that if the deer combo sells out.  Of course, the price is a bit higher...

Good luck!

[Karl Blanchard]

Surplus tags went on sale May 9th last year.

[jjhunter]

Hunt-Wa put some dandies on the board from MT last year!!!     

I hunted on a leftover last year and had a great hunt!   I took a 4 years hiatus from MT from 2011-2015, but was presently surprised by the quality I found public land hopping in 2016.   Looks like the herds are slowly recovering in the SE portion of the state.

If the winter kill isn't too bad, I'd expect to see some dandies posted come November.

***MT may be good option with the popular ID general season units getting annihilated this winter***