MT prices!

[Tbob]

Ouch, just applied for my MT general deer combo and $807 bucks later..... gettin to be a tough pill to swallow. Wonder if this will decrease apps at all this year? I didn’t draw with the one Pref point last year and bought another one for this year, but now at $100..

[BigCutty3]

Yeah the price of the tag might be the least of your worries if the gas prices continue in the wrong direction!  Oh well if we wanna play we gotta pay I guess

[NRA4LIFE]

Yep, they doubled the cost of the PP.  This may very be my last year hunting there.

[HillHound]

And it gave those going with outfitters the ability to buy two. So along with doubling the price they basically watered it’s effect down by 50% for all the DIY folks, which would be just about all of us

[Tbob]

Yeah, it’s a bummer the changes they made..

[Stein]

Price of points up, tag up and you lose your points if you don't apply and buy every year.  I'm only surprised they didn't change the way they award the combos to make it true preference point instead of holding some lower points.  It's going to bite them for a while as some guys will look at last years' odds and keep Uncle Benjamin in their pocket.  For those going for 3 year plan, it adds about 30% to the cost of the big game combo now.

Now that we are passing the big $1,000 mark, not much holding the states back.  Supply and demand, adjacent states ratchet up off each other.

[Magnum_Willys]

Plus Elk you can only hunt one unit now.    Last year the area we hunted covered 4 units - paying more and we can’t hunt over half our honey holes!

[Karl Blanchard]

Plus Elk you can only hunt one unit now.    Last year the area we hunted covered 4 units - paying more and we can’t hunt over half our honey holes!

this is not correct. IF you draw an LE permit you can only hunt that hunt but a general elk or general combo tag is still valid in any open gmu.



Permits for either-sex elk or brow-tined bull-antlerless elk will limit the holder to hunting for antlered elk within only the
designated HD for the period identified on the permit. Antlerless elk hunting will not be limited by the permit. A general
license may be used to hunt in any open district during dates outside of that identified on the permit.

[Karl Blanchard]

More info on MT elk general LICENSE vs elk PERMIT:

[vandeman17]

I don't make tons of money but enough to be comfortable. I plan to hunt as many states as my schedule allows each year and will gladly cut back on things to offset the increase in prices. I prioritize out of state hunts every year and don't even really think twice about hitting the submit payment button. It is what it is and I will make it happen. With that said, I hate seeing prices go up but understand that as long as people pay it, they have no reason not to keep bumping it up.

[Fishmaker57]

So if the application deadline, for both the big game combo and the permit is April 1st, and you must hold a big game combo to apply for a permit, basically non-residents can never apply for a special permit?

 

[vandeman17]

So if the application deadline, for both the big game combo and the permit is April 1st, and you must hold a big game combo to apply for a permit, basically non-residents can never apply for a special permit?

 

You do both at the same time but you have to draw the big game combo for your name to be put in the hat. For elk, you can elect an option where if you draw the combo but not the special permit, they return 80% of your money for the elk portion and you return your tag.

[Karl Blanchard]

So if the application deadline, for both the big game combo and the permit is April 1st, and you must hold a big game combo to apply for a permit, basically non-residents can never apply for a special permit?

 

thats not correct. I recommend anyone applying anywhere out west to read through that states regs and learning how their draw systems work.

[baldopepper]

I don't make tons of money but enough to be comfortable. I plan to hunt as many states as my schedule allows each year and will gladly cut back on things to offset the increase in prices. I prioritize out of state hunts every year and don't even really think twice about hitting the submit payment button. It is what it is and I will make it happen. With that said, I hate seeing prices go up but understand that as long as people pay it, they have no reason not to keep bumping it up.

Pretty much the way western states are looking at wildlife management. They look at wildlife, particularly big game, as an asset that should be used for maximum profitability.  Application fees are pure profit, as an example, so why not create more opportunity to get more units that require an application fee for a chance to hunt.  Heck why give away points when hunters are willing to pay for them.  Combine that with the not so subtle push by some so called hunter friendly groups to move to the European wildlife management program  and the chance of big game huntting being a rich man's sport  are increasing.

[Magnum_Willys]

Thk you Karl!  Good to have some one  that reads the regss!!!!

[Tbob]

I was all kinds of confused about some of how the combos work.. I just called the FWP and the dude was super helpful and patient answering all my questions to where I could understand how it all works. I’d recommend doing that if you have any questions.

[andrew_in_idaho]

I don't make tons of money but enough to be comfortable. I plan to hunt as many states as my schedule allows each year and will gladly cut back on things to offset the increase in prices. I prioritize out of state hunts every year and don't even really think twice about hitting the submit payment button. It is what it is and I will make it happen. With that said, I hate seeing prices go up but understand that as long as people pay it, they have no reason not to keep bumping it up.

I think we are about the same income bracket based on your statements, however Montana has been one state where I don’t even play the game for deer and elk since I’ve started and it is strictly to do with prices. They are always 25-50% ahead of the market on deer tag prices and I won’t pay that


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[vandeman17]

I don't make tons of money but enough to be comfortable. I plan to hunt as many states as my schedule allows each year and will gladly cut back on things to offset the increase in prices. I prioritize out of state hunts every year and don't even really think twice about hitting the submit payment button. It is what it is and I will make it happen. With that said, I hate seeing prices go up but understand that as long as people pay it, they have no reason not to keep bumping it up.

I think we are about the same income bracket based on your statements, however Montana has been one state where I don’t even play the game for deer and elk since I’ve started and it is strictly to do with prices. They are always 25-50% ahead of the market on deer tag prices and I won’t pay that


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If I was a resident of Idaho I would do the same