Possible changes for Montana....

[muleyguy]

First time in a very long time that they did not sell out.  I wonder how this will work out when they raise the prices?  Probably like Idaho - actually revenue goes backwards.

no, that won't happen;  most of the problem is that people just did not "know" there were left over tags available, it wasn't publicized widely enough;

just look at the deer A tags;  without a preference pt, you only have a 20% chance of getting drawn;  I am not sure of the math because of the prefernce pt, BUT, a whole hell of a lot of people more then tags applied

the combo license is the same thing, 50% chance without a preference pt;  so, LOTS of "excess" demand.

Plus, all of the guaranteed outfitter tag people will now be in the pool with the non-outfitter people;

people LOVE to hunt MT;  especially Eastern MT;  wide open, lots of deer, easy to access, etc

Idaho is completely different;  lots of wilderness areas, too steep for most people's liking; poor deer numbers etc.

[whacker1]

First time in a very long time that they did not sell out.  I wonder how this will work out when they raise the prices?  Probably like Idaho - actually revenue goes backwards.

no, that won't happen;  most of the problem is that people just did not "know" there were left over tags available, it wasn't publicized widely enough;

just look at the deer A tags;  without a preference pt, you only have a 20% chance of getting drawn;  I am not sure of the math because of the prefernce pt, BUT, a whole hell of a lot of people more then tags applied

the combo license is the same thing, 50% chance without a preference pt;  so, LOTS of "excess" demand.

Plus, all of the guaranteed outfitter tag people will now be in the pool with the non-outfitter people;

people LOVE to hunt MT;  especially Eastern MT;  wide open, lots of deer, easy to access, etc

Idaho is completely different;  lots of wilderness areas, too steep for most people's liking; poor deer numbers etc.

I understand what you are saying, but last year they sold out through the Alternate's list.  This year they did not - so far anyway.  The alternates list was up over 1500 people last I heard.  Raise the prices and you will lose people.  Maybe it will go to 100% success on the draw for the big game combination, but there are a lot of people that will walk away.  I won't be doing it next year.  This is my last year for Montana for several years, but it is not solely due to the increase, but it definitely plays a part.

[jstamp]

Just to let everyone know, I161 passed in Montana. That means you will be paying $897.00 for a big game combo next year and $527.00 for a deer tag.

[KimberRich]

Just to let everyone know, I161 passed in Montana. That means you will be paying $897.00 for a big game combo next year and $527.00 for a deer tag.

Heard that this morning..  It sucks that I'll be paying more but it's not going to keep me from going and I hope it drives people away.  I do land owner sponsor tags but any increase in my odds sounds good.

[Ridgerunner]

Wallets will open wider next year and draw odds should improve, I bet alot of these outfitters will end up disappearing as well.  The good ones will still make it, they do in other states without the guaranteed tags. 

[GoldTip]

First time in a very long time that they did not sell out.  I wonder how this will work out when they raise the prices?  Probably like Idaho - actually revenue goes backwards.

no, that won't happen;  most of the problem is that people just did not "know" there were left over tags available, it wasn't publicized widely enough;

just look at the deer A tags;  without a preference pt, you only have a 20% chance of getting drawn;  I am not sure of the math because of the prefernce pt, BUT, a whole hell of a lot of people more then tags applied

the combo license is the same thing, 50% chance without a preference pt;  so, LOTS of "excess" demand.

Plus, all of the guaranteed outfitter tag people will now be in the pool with the non-outfitter people;

people LOVE to hunt MT;  especially Eastern MT;  wide open, lots of deer, easy to access, etc

Idaho is completely different;  lots of wilderness areas, too steep for most people's liking; poor deer numbers etc.

Thats where your wrong, to a point.  All of those outfitted guys were already in the draw with the rest of us.  The difference was if they did not draw, they simply then purchased the more expensive guaranteed tag thru the outfitter and still went hunting.  So, all those same guy's will still be in the draw with the rest of us next year, but if they do not draw, they will not then be able to hunt.

I think the increased price will increase the draw odds considerably.  Overall however, it's still no more than Idaho currently is priced.

[Wea300mag]

I was actually thinking of putting in for MT next year but $900 is ridiculous for a public land hunt. I hope it backfires and they can only sell half of the big game combos.

[@RCHER]

That's my stompin grounds too, and I've always thought $360 (with fixins) for the Deer A tag has been high. I pay cuz that's where we hunt. But like 300 says, 900 bones for the combo? If the surplus tags aren't affected as well, then that's 12 FLIPPIN DOE TAGS for that same money, people! I can take a school bus load of kids...anyway, I guess we aren't talking about that, are we.

I think you nailed it, Dale. Maybe it won't pan out for them and things will revert back. Although it sounds potentially damaging for you folks in the business, at least it's not as friggin insane as things like archery-only cougar seasons. "You can kill two cougars each season  ...and we are happy to announce that only hunters between the ages of 12 and 74 are required to use 3", .24 caliber, blowguns, only on Tuesdays, following the new moon, on odd numbered years, only in GMU 602, from an elevated tree-stand. And the full 1,200" blaze orange body condoms are required." But I digress...

I'd like to see a program that's best for all of us hunters. I want to see you guys and your kids out there with me and my tribe. Guided (for whatever reasons, it’s none of my business), public, private BMP, BLM, BFD…whatever! We have a blast and hearing the report of another rifle usually means someone is having a good day. We hunt public land and always come home with most or all tags filled. In today's economy, who needs a program this restrictive and seemingly pretentious. Yeah, we'll probably go with the flow and save a few more sheckles for the added cost as well, and hope they get the hell smacked outa them for such sharp and extensive changes/increases. But it's still the same pain-in-the-ass stories I've been hearing since the 70's and 80's. "I want special treatment cuz I don't like road hunting with all these outa-staters."  "All those guys from Billings do is cut my fences. They better not have a 3T lic plate." 

It’s a bigger picture problem, folks. It’s about this entitled, elitist "I'm only interested in getting MY nut" mentality and the sick joy of throwing others under the bus for our own selfish gain. Too crowded? Block management? ACCESS programs? AHE? Really?! Funny, I don’t see any of those guys after I hike my fat ass to the top of those Montana public land ridges where I fill my tags. Why is it a good thing if more and more people can't afford to hunt? Some of you say "so there's more opp for me." You guys are welcome to branch off, as far as I'm concerned. I hear enough of that crap from the flyfishing crowd. If it's that tough for you to draw tags and find animals, then there are other issues running amuck.

All I would like to ask of my fellow outdoorsmen and women is to consider what’s best for the hunting community and wildlife and wild lands as a whole. Not just for you and your unique situation or social standing. For EVERYONE. I’ll pay the crazy $900 (which is more than I pay for a 1,000 lb Bison BTW) for a couple average free-range grass-eaters as a non-rez. But I don’t believe in the cause. In the reason(s). As Dale and others have pointed out, I161 looks pretty heavily one-sided. How is that a good management decision on the part of those in charge?

Good news is it’s almost time for the rut - if it would just get COLD! 

[walleye1]

the price stinks but nothins getting cheaper as far as all draw permits it couldnt be more fair we are all equal now we pay the same price 4 the same odds that is a good thing no matter who you are

[Craig]

Are deer B tags going up to?

[RPM]

they don't sell them all now at $638. they still had some big game combos left earlier in the week. went the first week of the season and filled our doe tags and bird hunted. going back on the 15th to hit the rut and chase more birds. and my mom feeds me real good

[GoldTip]

Here is how I look at it, I can make more money, but I can't make any more time.  If this bill passing costs me more money but increases my odds of drawing every year so I can go home and hunt with my Dad and Brother, then I'll pay it.

[Ray]

RPM - I'm with you. Montana is affordable and very reasonable for doe tags and bird hunting. I'm not saying I will never buy a combo tag but why would I when Wyoming is next door and I prefer hunting there instead?

[seth30]

Ray do you drive down there or fly?  I am thinking of applying next year for speed goats, and know that flying would be faster, but then theres the rental, and etc etc.

[Ray]

Drive.