Montana Block Management Access Success ?

[MADMAX]

So today starts the Block management Type-2 calling for permission/reservations

This is the 3rd year in a row that I have called 3-4 landowners in the area I want to hunt and within 15 minutes of the designated start time and each year have been told "all full up" or no call back (maybe ? this year)

Ive been told by a guy who knows a guy that permission is already taken by year before hunters that reserve when they leave previously

I'm curious about the percentage of guys on here that do get permission/access granted by calling for Type 2 on day and time of application period.

[Hitsman3]

This will be our 2nd year hunting Montana, last year we didn't doing any calling. Just hunted mainly state land.  Today i made phone calls & the first 2 places were full already, the 3rd place called me back and had openings for the days we were looking for. Don't know anything about it though.

[Stein]

Type 2 BMA is a joke, they basically get the money and only let people they want on the land.  I did get a reservation one time by some fluke and then the landowner requested I pick up the permit two weeks before the hunt.

This is one instance where WA does a better job, our reservation system is far from perfect but it isn't the complete joke Montana's is.

When you call for a reservation and get through 15 minutes after it's opened and all reservations are taken, just remember that the season is 10 weeks long, which means roughly 70 days that have already been reserved.

There are a few you can get reservations on, but they aren't worth the time.

[MADMAX]

Type 2 BMA is a joke, they basically get the money and only let people they want on the land.  I did get a reservation one time by some fluke and then the landowner requested I pick up the permit two weeks before the hunt.

This is one instance where WA does a better job, our reservation system is far from perfect but it isn't the complete joke Montana's is.

When you call for a reservation and get through 15 minutes after it's opened and all reservations are taken, just remember that the season is 10 weeks long, which means roughly 70 days that have already been reserved.

There are a few you can get reservations on, but they aren't worth the time.

Thats what Ive been thinking 
hence my question, wont waste anymore time on it
Good luck boys

[huntandjeep]

I've called one ranch every year for the past 4 years that's roughly 60k acres . Start calling at the open time and have never got a landowner on the phone .

[HillHound]

Yeah I’m starting to think some of the coolers full of crab and salmon that are brought over for the farmers ensure a spot in the next year. I wonder if bear pepperoni will work?  Or It’s the same as a lot of property down in the south east corner of Washington. The sign say hunting by written permission only so the farm can get a break on their taxes for allowing access. But then they just have all the family members fill up the slots and it is never actually available to the public

[Stein]

In MT, they don't even need family members, the landowner handles all reservations so they can reserve them or just leave it vacant.  There might be some type of follow up but it isn't much as it's well known that many don't play by the rules and the are kept on the system year after year.

[MADMAX]

So are you saying the landowner gets a check from the state for just offering access?
But they don’t need to have an actual count of hunters that hunted the land?
Hmmm
No bueno

[Stein]

So are you saying the landowner gets a check from the state for just offering access?
But they don’t need to have an actual count of hunters that hunted the land?
Hmmm
No bueno

Yep.  Sure, I'll give you a count of the hunters in my back yard, what number would you like?

I don't know the amount, in WA it's not much - which is why the pay to hunt clubs keep outbidding the state.  In MT, I can't imagine it's a bunch either.  I know one ranch that won't answer the phone if it isn't a 406 number and another that doesn't answer the phone.  In the past, I would have my brother call from his cell and the odds went up dramatically, but were still not good.

The states like to have XZY acres or ABC properties enrolled which looks good in reports, websites, etc, whether they get used, have game on them or are administered according to the rules isn't as important.  You can complain, maybe the state will call the landowner and they will confirm they must have been busy that day because it's booked up.  After all, they are a farmer and can't be answering phones all day (which I actually get).

I'm pretty cynical on systems that aren't administered by the state, one of the few times I'm a fan of the state being directly in charge of something.

That said, there are a ton of properties where they really want you there killing the crop eating monsters.  I just cross off anything with a reservation and go from there.  Plenty of opportunity abounds.

[MADMAX]

I see your point, and I understand how to hunt it.
just thought jeez does this happen to others or am I just picking the wrong ranches to call ?
Thanks, Now I get it.

[Wingin it]

I've never had luck with reservations either. However don't be put off by the sign in block Management areas. Some see quite a bit of pressure of course but some see hardly any. If you put in some time you will find some good land to hunt. Montana also has an incredible amount of state land. Each year we make it a point to check out something new and we have quite a few "go to spots". We have been hunting the same area though for the better part of 15 years.

[Tbob]

I’m lucky, the area i Hunt is mostly type 1. Only a few type 2 ranches and they were inaccessible from the gumbo last year so... I’m just going to stick to type 1 and BLM land that’s around.
    It sucks that the type 2 is this way.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've only ever hunted one and it was near Broadus. Fantastic experience.  Fish and game had a full time employee who lived in a trailer on the property to facilitate the check in and outs of all the hunters. It was a huge ranch. Its been a few years so honestly not up to speed on if the program has changed or not though.  I know we never dealt directly with the landowner.

[h20hunter]

Let's not go there.  Please and thank you.

[Igor]

Let's not go there.  Please and thank you.

Did I miss something ?  This entire thread is informative to those aspiring to hunt in MT.

[h20hunter]

Simply keeping it informative! Carry on.   

[DWBMontana]

Yeah I’m starting to think some of the coolers full of crab and salmon that are brought over for the farmers ensure a spot in the next year. I wonder if bear pepperoni will work?  Or It’s the same as a lot of property down in the south east corner of Washington. The sign say hunting by written permission only so the farm can get a break on their taxes for allowing access. But then they just have all the family members fill up the slots and it is never actually available to the public

Salmon yes. Bear , no.

[MADMAX]

Better get the Montana BM guide updated