Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: trophyhunt on March 21, 2018, 06:56:42 PM

Title: Montana left over tags?
Post by: trophyhunt on March 21, 2018, 06:56:42 PM: So I just found out a friend of a friend has a place in Montana and says my dad will defiantly kill his first bull if we hunt with him. Problem is the deadline for permits is past, I've never applied or hunted in Montana so the rules are alien to me. are there any late hunts, left over tags to look out for, as far as putting in for tags and licenses or are we too late? Thanks
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: Buzz2401 on March 21, 2018, 07:03:57 PM: Always combo deer and elk tags left over. Deer Combos are the only ones that have been selling out during first draw.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: vandeman17 on March 21, 2018, 07:30:38 PM: Quote from: Buzz2401 on March 21, 2018, 07:03:57 PM
Always combo deer and elk tags left over. Deer Combos are the only ones that have been selling out during first draw.

I wouldn't bank on it this year but if there are, be ready to buy as soon as they go on sale.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: Chad E. on March 21, 2018, 07:32:23 PM: Last year both the big game and deer combos were not 100% draws and there were no leftovers. There did end up being leftover elk combos after the draw. Not sure if that will be the case this year.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: greenhead_killer on March 21, 2018, 08:30:19 PM: I had two buddies pick up the deer/elk combo In november last year and hunted end of the season. I wouldn’t wait that long but they were still available then
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: trophyhunt on March 21, 2018, 08:41:56 PM: Great info, thanks! When do the left over combo’s go on sale?
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: greenhead_killer on March 21, 2018, 10:19:34 PM: O think August someone but don’t quote me on that. I’m sure someone with a little more exp will chime in
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 21, 2018, 11:39:13 PM: Deer combos have been sold out in the draw the last 2 years I believe. We failed to draw last year for deer. There have been deer/elk and elk combos available usually the first week of May or somewhere thereabouts.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: trophyhunt on March 22, 2018, 06:17:33 AM: Excuse my ignorance but, if there are left over tags for elk available can we buy my dad a tag and just go hunt over the counter for any bull?
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: Stein on March 22, 2018, 06:36:42 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on March 22, 2018, 06:17:33 AM
Excuse my ignorance but, if there are left over tags for elk available can we buy my dad a tag and just go hunt over the counter for any bull?

Yes, in any unit open to branch antlered bulls wich are most of them (permit draws are mostly in the eastern part). Montana is generally managed for good hunting opportunity (as opposed to quality), so the draw hunts for deer and elk are very limited with the majority of the hunting happening on a general tag.

There are 11 weeks of season between archery and rifle and you can hunt the entire time in any general unit. The regs will tell you if there is a general season for each unit and what the limitations are. Some are any elk, some have a brow tine restriction which is a bit goofy. Those are essentially raghorn and up, but you do need to make sure it has at least one 4" brow tine that grew and hasn't broken off.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: elkaholic123 on March 22, 2018, 06:38:41 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on March 22, 2018, 06:17:33 AM
Excuse my ignorance but, if there are left over tags for elk available can we buy my dad a tag and just go hunt over the counter for any bull?
Yes, and no...There are several area where you need to draw a special bull permit to hunt, lots of areas that are any bull though. So it just depends on where your friends property is...but there are plenty of other places to elk hunt.
Title: Re: Montana left over tags?
Post by: trophyhunt on March 22, 2018, 07:07:57 AM: Excellent, the fog is starting to lift now, thanks. He lives in the Kalispell area.