State: Montana

Species available to On Your Own hunters

MONTANA OVERVIEW

Montana has many species avialable to the On Your Own hunter, and non-residents have opportunity to hunt all of them. Unfortunately, Montana has one of the most complex systems of non-resident tag applications and drawing processes of any state. Yet, for the diligent hunter who spends the time to learn how it works, they can come to Montana very often, pursuing big game on the millions of acres of public ground.

Almost all non-resident big game hunting in Montana is through the public drawing process. Bear and some doe tags would be the exception to that. Montana uses a bonus point system for applicants in these drawings. For every year you have been unsuccessful, you are awarded a bonus point. Each bonus point gives you one more random number. In theory, the person with six bonus points has twice the odds of drawing as the person with three bonus points, though not guaranteed.

Deer and Elk:

I have put deer and elk in the same category, as drawing a non-resident license is the same for both species. And, Montana is the only state that will allow you to apply for a deer/elk combination tag, where the successful applicant will receive both a deer license and an elk license.

The non-resident deadline for deer and elk is March 15th. By mid-April, non-residents will be notified of their luck in drawing either a deer tag, or the deer/elk combo tag. Montana legislatively has set the number of non-resident tags. There are 17,000 deer/elk combo tags, and an additional 5,500 deer tags. Of those tags, some are set aside for hunters who will use the services of an outfitter. Since our focus On Your Own hunting, we will stick with the options for non-guided hunters.

If you are successful in drawing a deer tag, or the deer/elk combo tag, you will be mailed those tags, and also be provided a fishing license and an upland bird license as part of that package. If you are unsuccessful, you will be awarded a bonus point for the drawing in the following year.

Your licenses will allow you to hunt in any of the general season units in Montana. That covers most units in the state. Once awarded this license, you can also apply in the limited entry deer and elk units, the deadline for which is June 1. These units are the known trophy units for both deer and elk. If you are successful in drawing one of these tags, you will be able to hunt these limited entry units, according to the season dates and other restrictions of that permit.

Montana is not know for huge deer, but large numbers of above average deer. Both mule deer and whitetail abound throughout the state. Yet, every year, hunters willing to put in the extra effort will find trophies that are once-in-a-lifetime animals. Most units have doe tags available for those wanting to bring home some extra meat for the freezer.

Montana has some great elk hunting. The limited entry elk permits in Montana have great bulls. Archers have the best access at big bulls, as these bulls are usually still on public land, not having migrated to the ranches in the lower country, until the snow comes during rifle season. The number of elk in Montana is growing, in spite of introduction of wolves. the hardest part about hunting elk in Montana can be gaining access to elk on private ground, or being in the proper physical condition needed to reach the bulls waiting high on the mountains.

The Eastern part of Montana is primarily private ground, with much state and BLM ground mixed in. Beware, that Montana law does not require landowners to post their private property. Even accidental tresspass is considered tresspass, so make sure you know where you are.

The Western part of the state is primarily public ground, most of which is National Forest and open to public hunting. Most of the river bottoms are private, so it is important to know where you are.

Pronghorn (Antelope):

Montana is second to Wyoming in terms of total antelope numbers. The severe winters of the Montana prairies are hard on antelope, so the trophy quality in Montana is affected by that. Drawing a tag in Montana is not difficult compared to most other states.

The deadline for pronghorn applications is June 1. You are allowed to put in for three areas. Montana fills all first choice applicants before looking at anyone’s second choice. There are areas with left over tags, every year, so you can go pronghorn hunting, if you study which units go unfilled.

Additionally, archers are given great opportunity. Montana issues large numbers of pronghorn archery tags, allowing you to archery most every unit in the state. As with all Montana tags, non-residents are limted to, but not guaranteed, 10% of these tags. These tags are easy to draw.

When hunting pronghorn in Montana, plan on focusing in the eastern portion of the state. This prairie country is home to the majorty of antelope. Most hunters focus on BLM or State Trust lands, or take advantage of the Block Management Program. That program pays landowners to open up their land to public hunting, though reservations are required, and can be obtained from the regional offices.

Do not expect to shoot a record book animal in Montana. The severe winters, and the sheer number of tags issued, keep age class and trophy quality low. But, there are plenty of very nice antelope to be found for the hunter willing to do his homework.

Moose, Goat, Sheep, and Bison:

These species are included in the same topic, as the drawing process is the same for all of them. Here is a summary of the complex manner in which Montana does their drawing for non-residents, as it pertains to these species.

Montana has a deadline of May1, for moose, goat, sheep, and bison applications. Non-residents are allowed up to, but not guaranteed, 10% of the tags for any REGION (not unit). Montana changes which units are available to non-residents each year. Pay careful attention to that, as some years, your favorite unit will not be available to non-residents.

The results of this drawing are made available in late June. Seasons for moose, goat, and sheep run from mid-September to late November, and you can use whatever weapon you prefer. Even if you are using archery equipment, you must wear the required amount of hunter orange clothing.

If you are so lucky as to draw one of these tags, you have to wait seven years before you can apply again. Oh, to be so lucky as to be on the “waitlist.” If you do not draw, you will be awarded a bonus point, where you will be given an additional random number for the draw that occurs the following year.

Moose hunting in Montana is for Shiras moose, the smallest of the moose species. The best hunting will be found in far Northwest Montana. As with most limited entry draws, if you want to find out the area with the best access and greatest trophies, look for the area with the lowest drawing odds. Moose populations in some areas are being impacted by wolf predation. Do your research before applying. If you draw a tag, the hunt will almost always be on public land that is accessible to the On Your Own hunter.

Montana gives away more Rocky Mountain Goat tags to non-residents than any other state. Guides are not required, as is the case in Alaska. The areas of Southwest Montana have the rugged terrain that supports large numbers of goats. Some of the best drawing odds in the country are in Montana, and if you are willing to walk the extra mile and climb the next ridge, you will find goat populations that have not been hunted much, and the trophy quality is very good. Combine that with very good drawing odds, relative to other states, and Montana is a great option for goat hunting.

Montana has the best Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep hunting in the world. Especially for the non-guided On Your Own hunter. All the hunts occur on public land, the quality of the animals is without compare, and the fee to non-residents is the lowest of any western state. It is no wonder why the demand for Montana sheep tags is as high as it is. Add all these items together, and you have the hunt of a lifetime, with the worst odds you could ever imagine.

Montana does have some unlimted sheep units in Region 3 and 5. Yup, you apply for the tag, and you are guaranteed that you will be sheep hunting. But there is a catch. Each unit has a harvest quota, that closes very early in the season, and the terrain in which these hunts unfold is so unforgiving, that unlimited sheep hunting can be allowed. Do not expect to see lots of giant rams, and expect that you will work harder than any other sheep hunt you might ever have.

Bison hunting in Montana is hit or miss. You will be hunting animals that are migrating out of Yellowstone National Park. Drawing a tag is difficult, and if you draw, your hunt is compeltely dependent upon weather-induced migrations. If you draw one of the early seasons, you may not see a bison. The quality of bison in Montana is excellent. These bison are free-ranging, but do not expect them to be wild and scared. The physical logistics of getting the bison out of the woods will be the most challenging aspect of the hunt.

Bear:

The only bear species open for hunting in Montana is black bear. Though large number of grizzlies live in Montana, they are not open to hunting. The only requirements for spring or fall bear hunting is to pass the Bear Identification test, and purchase a license, which is purchased over-the-counter, not via a drawing. There is a deadline for when you must purchase your license.

Montana does have both a spring and fall bear season. Many areas have harvest quotas that are tied to female harvest, or total harvest. Be aware of these areas and phone in to check the status of that unit. The majority of bear units do not have these quotas.

Montana does NOT allow the use of bait or hounds. Bear hunting in Montana is strictly a spot and stalk opportunity. Expect to do much climbing and glassing. Bears are most active in early spring, as “green up” occurs, and in October,when they are feeding hard to put on weight prior to hibernation.

Montana does require that you utilize all meat from the bear. You will have to take your bear to a Fish Wildlife and Park office to be registered. You will have both a carcass tag and a hide tag to be attached to each part of the bear.

Do not expect huge trophy skulls from Montana black bears. All color phases exist, and body size can be very good.

Resources

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks does have a good website, full of useful features. Provided below are some of the most useful links to On Your Own hunters.

Hunt Planner