I saw on the Montana FWP site this morning that they have a surplus of nonresident Elk and Deer tags for sale over the counter. They really shot themselves in the foot when the voters approved the issue that did away with outfitter tags and raised the prices of nonresident Elk and Deer combo tags!
Montana FWP nonresident Elk and Deer tags on sale
- Thread starter tecumseh
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lefty315
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2004
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I agree, unfortunately the voters are the ones who made the decision. I have hunted Montana, as a non resident, for 18 years straight. I would grab a couple of doe tags on the years I did not draw and head over to Gramp's to chase Whitetails. When the prices shot up I stopped applying for them. I have no objection to being limited or paying higher prices as a non resident but I decided the cost of the tag was a bit much.
Last year I think they left. About 3million dollars worth of unsold tags on the counter, not to mention all the money that never made it into the local economy. With fuel prices being what they are and other costs(ammo and such) continuing to go up its getting to be a very expensive trip to hunt out of state. Then increase the license prices and it hits even harder.
As most Fish and Wildlife departments are already underfunded, I'm sure that 3 million dollar hit really hurt.
Last year I think they left. About 3million dollars worth of unsold tags on the counter, not to mention all the money that never made it into the local economy. With fuel prices being what they are and other costs(ammo and such) continuing to go up its getting to be a very expensive trip to hunt out of state. Then increase the license prices and it hits even harder.
As most Fish and Wildlife departments are already underfunded, I'm sure that 3 million dollar hit really hurt.
G
Guest
Guest
For the uneducated among us, it appears this is a license to hunt any "open" unit. Would this provide much opportunity on a trophy elk since the deadline for special permits has already passed?
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lefty315":348xida8 said:
I've hunted in MT 3 times. It's 19-20 hrs of hard driving from Cincinnati to Great Falls. We usually lay up for a day to recover from the drive and another hour and a half drive to the trailhead. You ad up tags, hotel rooms and the gas you burn, it adds up quick.
Dr. Vette
Handloader
- Apr 16, 2012
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dubyam":13i4jr66 said:
Dub,
Define "trophy."
I hunted in MT twice before the new law, once since, and both locations are in what is now known as an open area. The special areas are in places it was impossible for a NR to get a tag in previously, and that hasn't changed. In general I have found that it did not change your odds significantly unless you really wanted one of those once-in-a-lifetime units.
Note that the wolves have really changed MT elk hunting since 10 if not 15 years ago. You have to use a wolf distribution map when you're looking for an area as much as any other tool. :wink:
G
Guest
Guest
Okay, I guess a trophy elk would be a nice branch antlered bull, maybe 5x5 or better? I know that's asking a lot, but it seems like if I'm going to go out there, I'd at least like a chance to see some decent antlers. If I'm reading you right, you're saying hunt an area outside the wolf distribution, for sure. I get that. But are there "open" areas which are better for bulls? If there are, it might be cool to go out this October and hunt.
And for that matter, can I harvest a muley and an elk with this license? Might be really worth the trip if so, though I have no idea if the ranges overlap and I may be displaying my ignorance en masse. I'm a southeasterner, for sure. Educate me.
And for that matter, can I harvest a muley and an elk with this license? Might be really worth the trip if so, though I have no idea if the ranges overlap and I may be displaying my ignorance en masse. I'm a southeasterner, for sure. Educate me.
Dr. Vette
Handloader
- Apr 16, 2012
- 1,481
- 370
Realize I've only done guided hunts, so I have that viewpoint.
You can buy a license for an elk only, and elk + a deer buck (WT or mulie) or of course just a buck.
Some areas there are also leftover mule deer - and definitely WT - doe permits.
We could not believe how many WT deer are along some of the rivers in central Montana.
The key, as with any state, is getting access. If you can get that, and then can get access to land that actually holds animals, you're good. Based on comments of last year's guide the state land by them can have a LOT of people, but one of the other guides got a nice elk on state land while we were there.
Patrick
You can buy a license for an elk only, and elk + a deer buck (WT or mulie) or of course just a buck.
Some areas there are also leftover mule deer - and definitely WT - doe permits.
We could not believe how many WT deer are along some of the rivers in central Montana.
The key, as with any state, is getting access. If you can get that, and then can get access to land that actually holds animals, you're good. Based on comments of last year's guide the state land by them can have a LOT of people, but one of the other guides got a nice elk on state land while we were there.
Patrick
