Montana 2011

[bearpaw]

Yep, I too pulled the trigger on the surplus combo. Just have to wait and see if I will hunt elk there because I drew a multi season elk here in washington and will be applying for a branched bull tag for eastern washington, if drawn i will hunt eastern washington and not montana, but if i do not draw then I will hunt elk in montana.

Since you have the combo, if you have any extra time, you ought to apply for some of the limited-entries in MT. There is some great hunting for big bulls in L-E areas in central and eastern Montana.

[GoldTip]

For me it's just becoming more and more important to be able to hunt with my family.  Very expensive to do in Montana, and yes, is becoming a rich mans sport.  This year I went with the "Family come home to hunt tag", which is a seperate group of tags, but still the same Non-resident price. Being able to spend as much time as I want hunting with the old man and my Bro will be priceless for sure.

[Huntnphish]

Seriously becoming a rich mans sport,

 I don't see it that way. Its funny how you can look at these people complaining about the price of this or that, while lighting up a cigarette, talking on their smart phones standing outside the local McDonalds.

 Those of us that make hunting a priority in our lives will always find ways to get our tags, whether that means one less Starbucks each week, or cutting back on some other non essential waste of money.

 Am I happy about the increase, no, but I can see the long term benefits for me as a hunter, to me its worth it when you weigh the pro's and cons.

[bobcat]

I think it's becoming a "rich man's" sport more due to rising fuel prices than rising hunting license and tag fees.

[littlemac]

I think it's becoming a "rich man's" sport more due to rising fuel prices than rising hunting license and tag fees.

No kidding, I saw diesel at $4.71 in CleElum Sunday.

Not any drama as it turned out for the combo big game draw.

All in all it is great though.  New Mexico in early October and then Montana in the later part of the month. followed by a week in the washington woods, damn gettin' old ain't so bad after all.

[Huntnphish]

I think it's becoming a "rich man's" sport more due to rising fuel prices than rising hunting license and tag fees.

Now thats no joke right there, probably over $5/gal by hunting season.

[Roger]

Just purchased the surplus combo. Had to not use my ALS # as someone else said to do.  It now assigned me a new ALS #. will have to try and get that straightened out.  My main reason to go ahead and get it was not to loose my special Elk points for the quality tags. Was just going to go to Wyoming on left over after not getting drawn for deer combo, but realized I was going to loose those points.  Any way Mt here I come in November. At this point in my life it's not about the money, I still can afford it. Might have to change in a few years when I retire.

[Buckoholic]

I wont say its a richmans sport may an addiction like crack!!! Hunting Eastern Montana is well worth any amount of money they charge me!!! I cant explain to you in words how I feel when I roll into camp there!!! By far may favorite hunting hole ever!!! Like I said its like CRACK!!!

[Craig]

Bearpaw. Do you guide elk in any of the LE elk permit areas in MT? Not sure If i'm going to keep my big game combo tag this year.

[bearpaw]

Bearpaw. Do you guide elk in any of the LE elk permit areas in MT? Not sure If i'm going to keep my big game combo tag this year.

We have a ranch in the snowy mountains with good elk hunting (unit 411) and I am trying to get property in the bull mountains, but don't have that yet. So at this point 411 is my only option for limited-entry elk in MT.

There are also good elk hunts in the Missouri Breaks units, but we don't operate there either. I have a outfitter friend that does operate in the breaks if you apply and decide you want a guide.

Eastern Montana is where Adams killed both of his huge bulls, in Region 7.

[Craig]

I deer hunt a friends ranch in the middle of 410. The problem is It's to hard to draw a elk tag there. I see a bunch of big bulls every year on the ranch. I have 7 elk points and am sterting to look at other units.

[Roger]

I called Mt. this morning to see what they were going to do about the ALS numbers you received and they said that they would be changing everything over to your old number.  They also said that as of 8 AM they about 50 tags left, so they will most likely be sold out today.

[Huntnphish]

They sold out today.