First time Montana applicant

[bornhunter]

So for MT do you just apply for a deer and elk tag (combo?) and hope for the best? And what if you want to try for a specialty deer and/or elk tag. Do that at the same time? I believe I read somewhere on here rhat best odds for NR is go for the elk/deer combo?

[vandeman17]

yes, you can apply for deer only, elk only or deer/elk combo. At that time, you can apply for limited entry tags which are first dependent on drawing general tag. To make it more complicated, you then have another option to return all or a portion of general tags if you don't draw limited entry but only get 80% refund.

[Stein]

If it's your first time I wouldn't mess with the draw hunts.  Put in for deer, elk or both and just go hunt.  Montana is set up for general seasons, there are only a few really good draw elk hunts and they are near impossible to draw.  Tons of ground open during the general seasons.

[bornhunter]

FWP says today is first day to apply but when I try to apply online it does not show app for NR combo? I will give them a call. Thanks for the info.

[vandeman17]

If it's your first time I wouldn't mess with the draw hunts.  Put in for deer, elk or both and just go hunt.  Montana is set up for general seasons, there are only a few really good draw elk hunts and they are near impossible to draw.  Tons of ground open during the general seasons.

Agreed with this and also spend the cash to get the preference point. That way, if you don't draw a general tag this year, you are almost guaranteed to draw next year

[irish52084]

Trying to hunt deer and elk in one trip can be very difficult if you only have a week or so to hunt, especially if it's your first time in a new area. I would suggest that you pick one species and apply. Focus on it and enjoy the hunt without worrying about having time and opportunity to chase another species.
The deer/elk combo does have better draw odds, but you can also buy a bonus or preference point and your draw odds for just elk or deer will be very good.
I would urge you to call Montana fish and wildlife, they have been excellent to us when we have called to ask questions. They can give you clear and direct answers most of the time.

[Stein]

Another option is to hit Colorado, you can hunt the same unit every year OTC and learn it more quickly.  In MT, if you need to put in for the NR draw you may only get it every other year or so.

[bornhunter]

Trying to hunt deer and elk in one trip can be very difficult if you only have a week or so to hunt, especially if it's your first time in a new area. I would suggest that you pick one species and apply. Focus on it and enjoy the hunt without worrying about having time and opportunity to chase another species.
The deer/elk combo does have better draw odds, but you can also buy a bonus or preference point and your draw odds for just elk or deer will be very good.
I would urge you to call Montana fish and wildlife, they have been excellent to us when we have called to ask questions. They can give you clear and direct answers most of the time.

I will call them, thank you. I have lots of time as I am retired. The only thing that could mess me up is if I get selected for Wa tags as I have a ton of points for moose, sheep and goat. I hope I have to deal with such a problem! 

[bornhunter]

Another option is to hit Colorado, you can hunt the same unit every year OTC and learn it more quickly.  In MT, if you need to put in for the NR draw you may only get it every other year or so.

I will have to look at Co. Didnt know that. Thanks.

[Stein]

Another option is to hit Colorado, you can hunt the same unit every year OTC and learn it more quickly.  In MT, if you need to put in for the NR draw you may only get it every other year or so.

I will have to look at Co. Didnt know that. Thanks.

An added bonus is you don't have to buy the tag until you go and hunt, so if you draw a WA tag and don't leave the state you aren't out anything.

[bornhunter]

Another option is to hit Colorado, you can hunt the same unit every year OTC and learn it more quickly.  In MT, if you need to put in for the NR draw you may only get it every other year or so.

I will have to look at Co. Didnt know that. Thanks.

An added bonus is you don't have to buy the tag until you go and hunt, so if you draw a WA tag and don't leave the state you aren't out anything.

Will definitely be looking at CO. Thanks again.

[Mulie87]

I just applied for the NR deer combo and it went through no problem.

[vandeman17]

I just applied for the NR deer combo and it went through no problem.

I wait until the end. I like my name being on top of the bucket so its picked first 

[bornhunter]

I was wondering about that. I just got off the phone with fwp. The gal said there is no advantage to applying early. I actually called to see what would happen if I apply as NR, get selected and then became a resident by hunting season. She said she has never been asked that before but said to just go ahead and hunt as a non resident. Sounds right but geez now days you wonder if you can get in trouble for stuff like that.

[vandeman17]

I was wondering about that. I just got off the phone with fwp. The gal said there is no advantage to applying early. I actually called to see what would happen if I apply as NR, get selected and then became a resident by hunting season. She said she has never been asked that before but said to just go ahead and hunt as a non resident. Sounds right but geez now days you wonder if you can get in trouble for stuff like that.

It says somewhere in the regs but you have to be a resident, I believe, for like 6 months before being able to get resident tags