Should I start building points for MT?
- Thread starter Houston77
- Start date
LopeHunter
Well-known member
If you have the cash to "invest" and feel you are luckier than most NR then go for it. Otherwise, the ROI for a NR in MT is likely limited to drawing general unit hunts for elk and deer every year or two. Quality limited unit draws for elk and deer are much tougher for a NR to draw but to try you need to buy the general tag then if not successful in the limited draw you use the general tag or turn in the tag for a refund forfeiting 20%.
Pronghorn hunts are not near the quality of what you can draw in WY as a NR every 2 - 5 years.
The Big 3 and Bison are a very tough draw as well for a NR. The Big 3 square points for the draw. Bison does not use points.
Pronghorn hunts are not near the quality of what you can draw in WY as a NR every 2 - 5 years.
The Big 3 and Bison are a very tough draw as well for a NR. The Big 3 square points for the draw. Bison does not use points.
Antelope yes.
Deer and Elk no.
You may be able to draw a rifle tag every couple of years and have a fun hunt. MT antelope hunting can be hit or miss though, one year there will be antelope everywhere, then the next year they are near impossible to find because a winter wiped them out.
Deer and Elk no.
You may be able to draw a rifle tag every couple of years and have a fun hunt. MT antelope hunting can be hit or miss though, one year there will be antelope everywhere, then the next year they are near impossible to find because a winter wiped them out.
brownbear932008
Well-known member
You may wanna checkout the winter kill this year. They will be few and far between the next several years in Montana it sounds like.
Personally I would stick with Wyoming for lopes.
Personally I would stick with Wyoming for lopes.
I see that you can just purchase bonus points now without applying for the draw. I would want to make MT apart of a 3-5 year plan. Does this seam reasonable? In units with plenty of public land to hunt?
Thanks to those who have replied.
Thanks to those who have replied.
Southern Elk
Well-known member
This is not true.
brownbear932008
Well-known member
So your saying the winter kill doesn't look as bad as everyone said a month or so ago? Or was it only in the region 7 area. Haven't heard any further comments since the thread a while back.
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
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There will be no shortage of unhappy antelope hunters in all of region 7 this year, and for a lot of years.
Hem
Well-known member
Love how new residents become instant experts on Montana.
From everything I've seen and heard out east, they took a wallop from this last winter in region 7. Granted, anything that made it will have a good food supply to start the summer, but I'm thinking it'll be three to four years before you see the populations we've had the last two years. Along with that, I can only hope that FWP drops the total tags for 700 the next couple years, which if you're a non-resident, means those slim draw odds just became Kate Moss slim.
There are probably areas that still have plenty, so if you want to put in this year and start building points so you can draw later on, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Just accept the fact that you could draw this year or next year as well and have a tougher hunt for young goats.
There are probably areas that still have plenty, so if you want to put in this year and start building points so you can draw later on, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Just accept the fact that you could draw this year or next year as well and have a tougher hunt for young goats.
Southern Elk
Well-known member
Maybe I should elaborate. They are doing fine in SW MT. Your original comment made it sound like the whole state got hit hard.
MiStickSlinger
Member
The region 7 biologists I've spoken to have been fairly optimistic on the pronghorn outlook
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
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Do you have this/these persons names to share?
What were they optimistic about? That there are indeed a few remaining breeding pairs?
Or maybe optimistic that a few thousand licensed hunters will still come?
I guess fine is in the eye of the beholder. I have hunted antelope of and on in SW Montana for 35 years. The last 10 not even close to what it use to be. I gave up applying.
BlakeA
Well-known member
Of course they would be optimistic, they want your $$$$$.
"Winter kill" is not in the FWP vocab. Doesn't exist.
brownbear932008
Well-known member
Region 6 posted a pretty glowing report on the deer and elk populations in that region I noticed. States there were some spots hit hard and localized kill.
brownbear932008
Well-known member
Got ya yes as a non res I have never considered western MT I have always considered 6&7
MiStickSlinger
Member
Spoke to a woman out of Baker MT, and a guy out of Miles City, both said elevated winter kill but not as bad as expected
Southern Elk
Well-known member
Maybe so. I got my buck last year and numbers look at least as good here. I may have missed the glory days.
