Author Topic: Montana 2019 Check-In (Read 6709 times)

WAElkhunter89 · « **on:** December 27, 2018, 06:19:36 PM »

Myself, my father and a few others are planning on putting in for the big game combo for Montana for 2019. Hoping the draw odds are better for 2019 than they were for 2018, saw lots of people not draw out unlike previous years.

We hunted in Montana in 2017, but none of us were able to harvest an elk. Hoping to change that luck this year, going to be starting some e-scouting on OnX Maps around Bozeman and White Sulphur to get some ideas for places to scout in the summer.

If anyone cares to share any info about Montana, I'm all ears. Deployed overseas right now so e-scouting is the best I can do thousands of miles away. Stay safe everyone!

cougforester · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2018, 06:59:58 PM »

Got Google Earth and OnX pulled up right now picking out some spots. Hope to pull an elk tag!

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2018, 11:54:00 AM »

Quote from: cougforester on December 27, 2018, 06:59:58 PM

Got Google Earth and OnX pulled up right now picking out some spots. Hope to pull an elk tag!

I hear ya, hopefully their draw odds are a little better this year. Doesn't the purchase for licenses usually open up around mid February?

vandeman17 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2018, 12:05:46 PM »

At the very least, under the hope we draw a general tag, is we will be in western montana over thanksgiving chasing mountain whitetails.

meatwhack · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2018, 04:50:48 PM »

I’m betting odds will be worse unless they did a significant price increase that I haven’t seen.

Karl Blanchard · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2018, 05:25:01 PM »

I wouldnt be planning on draw odds getting better anytime soon

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2018, 05:27:10 PM »

Where at in western montanastern

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2018, 05:51:56 PM »

Anyone ever buy into the "preference points" or just think it's a gimmick for the state to make more money? I purchased some preference points in 2017 and got drawn, just wondering if it really makes that much of a difference or not. I would love to get back to Montana for 2019.

MADMAX · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2018, 06:57:27 PM »

I’m going to apply

Wolfdog2314 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2018, 07:04:53 PM »

First timer for Montana, looking to apply for deer!

vandeman17 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2018, 03:05:15 AM »

Quote from: Skyvalhunter on December 28, 2018, 05:27:10 PM

Where at in western montanastern

Asking me?

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2018, 11:57:32 AM »

Quote from: Skyvalhunter on December 28, 2018, 05:27:10 PM

Where at in western montanastern

I'm going to be looking around Bozeman and around White Sulphur for areas to go elk hunting in 2019 if I draw for a tag.

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2019, 03:06:36 PM »

Happy New Year everyone! When does MT start offering the non-resident big game combo for sale? Early February? Looked on the Montana Fish and Game website, but didn't see dates.

Tbob · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2019, 03:36:49 PM »

I put in for deer last year and didn’t draw. I’m gonna try again this year! Fingers crossed. Good luck to everyone!!

Wingin it · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2019, 04:10:28 PM »

I think it's usually mid January but that is going strictly by memory. It will definitely be before mid March!

hunterofelk · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2019, 07:02:58 AM »

I've heard the Little Belt Mountains have a good population of elk recently. I've hunted around Bozeman and White Sulfur Springs but it was thirty or so years ago and back then knowing some private landowners was key to success. The public land was hit pretty hard and everyone was waiting for a blizzard.

mburrows · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2019, 08:01:28 AM »

any public or private within an hour of I-90 particularly Bozeman is going to be hunted hard. However, lots of elk around in just about every mountain range in the state.

TwoBear · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2019, 10:19:45 AM »

Its supposed to be but MT FWP has a mind of their own and does what all government agencies do: "find something simple and complicate it". -Bert Gomer.

spudder1982 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2019, 12:02:29 PM »

In same boat. Did not get drawn in 18 for deer. Was shocked at the number that they told me applied. I did not buy a preference point but sure will in the future. I expect prices will go up before long. Dont know about you but current prices have me about maxed out for an every other year deal.

Stein · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2019, 12:13:49 PM »

White Sulphur is very tough for elk, more of a mule deer place in the nearby areas late season. The vast majority of the elk will be on private ranches that are either closed to hunting or leased by an outfitter. The orange vests are crowded onto the very few public areas. There are certainly better areas with more public that can get you spread out a bit. I spent my last elk hunt there last year and am moving on to greener pastures.

I was just looking through the options this morning, have a good tip on a new area for elk and about a 1/3 chance to draw my antelope tag. I should be able to get one or two deer either with the antelope trip if that ends up happening.

I will definitely be hunting deer and elk there in 2019 and hopefully antelope. Depending on if I draw in Wyoming, I may make two trips to MT, bow and rifle.

Ace · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2019, 11:23:38 AM »

I’ve been hunting MT sense 1996. Only 2 times I didn’t get drawn. I wouldn’t put in for points unless I was saving up for a special draw hunt. I would hunt elk when the seaso starts. That seams to be the best for elk. The last 2 weeks of the season is best for deer. The Little Belts and the Bid Belt mountains are a good place to hunt elk. No grizz and low # of wolfs. There are some good deer in there to. You can put in for a B tag for elk there and chances are good you’ll get that. B tag is a cow tag. The belts units are mostly any elk. So you can get 2 elk. The cow season goes into February of the next year

Ace · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2019, 12:30:16 PM »

The deadline for MT is midnight on March 15

Craig · « **Reply #22 on:** January 15, 2019, 02:49:11 PM »

Been going to Montana for 19 years. Hope to draw again next year for me and my son. Hopefully he draws a special elk permit soon.

My permit bull from this year. Central Montana.

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 15, 2019, 03:12:47 PM »

Nice Craig. I'm hoping my dad and I draw out as well, love the Montana country.

Ace · « **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2019, 03:44:37 PM »

I had a bunch of points for elk a while back. I paid my $20 point fee for years. One year I forgot to put in. No problem. You have 1 year to skip the point system. If you skip 2 years in a row they take your points that you PAID for. Thieves!!! The 2nd year I paid my $20 for my point. The next year I put in for a unit I’ve been saving for. I waited for the draw results and I had none. I called FWP and they said I wasn’t in the draw. I paid the $20. They said I didn’t put in for a unit the year before so they took my points. I paid for it. Nowhere on the form did it state I had to put in for a unit. It said if I wanted to buy a point it was $20. It didn’t state that. It said buy a point. They took my points. So if I didn get included in the draw or get a point I should get my $20 back. They said no. I see that to be a problem. So should I get my $ back and/or points or should I just go get me a elk? Did I go and get a elk?

.

Tbob · « **Reply #25 on:** January 21, 2019, 02:00:36 PM »

Does anyone know when we can start the application for non-res deer? I’ll be out of the country for the deadline and would like to get my app in before I head out. Thanks! (I did try to call today, but they were closed for MLK day).. thanks again.

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2019, 02:11:31 PM »

Quote from: Tbob on January 21, 2019, 02:00:36 PM

Does anyone know when we can start the application for non-res deer? I’ll be out of the country for the deadline and would like to get my app in before I head out. Thanks! (I did try to call today, but they were closed for MLK day).. thanks again.

It should be around the middle of February would be my guess.

Tbob · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2019, 06:22:38 PM »

Damn! Okay thanks.. I’ll be out of the country from 2/6-3/22. As I read on line it looks like the deadline is 3/15.. Hate doing things like this with spotty WiFi, but ya do what ya gotta do I suppose. Thanks for the info!

WAElkhunter89 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2019, 06:35:17 PM »

Quote from: Tbob on January 21, 2019, 06:22:38 PM

Damn! Okay thanks.. I’ll be out of the country from 2/6-3/22. As I read on line it looks like the deadline is 3/15.. Hate doing things like this with spotty WiFi, but ya do what ya gotta do I suppose. Thanks for the info!

I hear ya man, I'm overseas right now and the internet is hit and miss sometimes. Luckily the Montana website is accessible on the internet here.

bugs n bones · « **Reply #29 on:** January 21, 2019, 07:40:06 PM »

Feb 19th big game combo will be available to apply for

Tbob · « **Reply #30 on:** January 21, 2019, 09:56:07 PM »

Thanks B and B!

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Author Topic: Montana 2019 Check-In (Read 6709 times)

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