I'd hate to be a licensing agent today in Montana

[dvolmer]

Well Montana out of state license applications open today!  I would hate to be a licensing agent in Montana today as 10,000 new (probably Washingtonians) applicants call with questions and hiccups!!!!  Good luck to all applying and I think luck will be needed in drawing one this year!  But then again, I could be wrong!!!

[jjhunter]

I have 3 preference points for the general draw.  Expecting a tag.

[dvolmer]

I have 3 preference points for the general draw.  Expecting a tag.

Ya, you are pretty much 100% in with that.  Those who hunted last year and plan on hunting again this year might be in for a rude awakening!!! 

[vandeman17]

just imagine if 143 passes and how that will effect the odds for us DIY guys. We drew deer only last year and will apply for same this year but for sure preparing plan B

[D-Rock425]

Drew combo last year first year trying.  I think it's going to be slightly more difficult this year.

[dvolmer]

Last year before the results were out, I figured that the applicant numbers would be way down due to the negative impacts to Covid and the financial hardships it would create on applicants.  Oh Boy! was I wrong on that!  Record number of applicants last year.  It will be interesting to actually see the numbers and odds after this years draw.  Same thing for Wyoming.  People aren't hurting financially like I thought they would.

[vandeman17]

Last year before the results were out, I figured that the applicant numbers would be way down due to the negative impacts to Covid and the financial hardships it would create on applicants.  Oh Boy! was I wrong on that!  Record number of applicants last year.  It will be interesting to actually see the numbers and odds after this years draw.  Same thing for Wyoming.  People aren't hurting financially like I thought they would.

stimulus plus either the expanded unemployment or working from home can generate a lot of extra cash. I also think people were more willing to spend the cash last this and probably this year just to get away from the lockdowns

[Stein]

I know for our family we cancelled one vacation and didn't hardly eat out at all, so those funds were available for other things.  I would expect the same this year.

[kselkhunter]

The application numbers are likely to be even higher this year.   Oregon's February 2021 spring bear controlled draw saw a 37% increase in applications.  I'm assuming most state draws this year will see significant increases in applications for controlled draws.  People are tired of sitting in their homes.  More people looking to get outdoors.  More new hunters entering the application process.   I think the point creep this year in all western states (that do points) is going to be significant. 

[wooltie]

Did I see that the non res deer combo quota has been nearly cut in half? 

Wonder if people will switch to the pricey elk deer combo instead.  Thinking about doing that.

[vandeman17]

Did I see that the non res deer combo quota has been nearly cut in half? 

Wonder if people will switch to the pricey elk deer combo instead.  Thinking about doing that.

If 143 passes it will be cut by 39% unless you go with an outfitter and pay another $200

[ganghis]

Funny this thread came out since I spent an hour or so on hold today with MFWP.  But I was glad I called.  Most of it was account stuff that no one in their right mind would care about, but I did learn that your bonus points get zeroed out if you apply for an "unlimited" limited entry draw (basically the units where you draw at 100% but are then required to hunt in that unit) as your first choice.  Lesson: put in for 270 or whatever hard-to-draw unit as first choice and then an unlimited unit as your second choice if you want to go that route.  Then you keep your points if you don't draw 270.  Montana sure seems hard to figure out.