Montana Elk Application Deadlines???

GrizlyHunter · Mar 14, 2006

This would be my first time applying in Montana. I'm trying to navigate the Montana website regarding application dates for a non-resident elk hunter and I'm not having much luck. I'm thinking of applying for unit #380 or the Gardiner area. Do I have to apply by March 15, or June 1st? I noticed the June 1st deadline required some type of license be purchased B-4 I apply. Can someone please explain what date is for me, and if I have to purchase a license 1st? And if I do how much is it and is it refundable (i ould guess it's not).

Thanx!

GH

Craig · Mar 14, 2006

You better hurry up. You need to apply for your elk license by March 15th. If you draw a general elk license then you need to apply for the special elk permit ( #380 ) by june 1st.

If you don't draw a general elk license then you can't apply for the special elk permits.

If you do not draw a general license all but a couple of dollars is refunded. If you paid the extra $20 for points that is not refunded.

GrizlyHunter · Mar 14, 2006

Thanks for the quick response!

Let me get this right...I have to apply twice to draw one tag?How much is a general license? Is it refunded if I don't draw the special elk permit?

GH

mtmuley · Mar 14, 2006

You only draw one tag. The Gardiner hunt you referred to is a permit. The elk tag allows you to hunt any unit where a special permit is not required. Once you have the elk tag, then you can try for the permit, which allows you to hunt the preffered permit area. I don't know what a general NR license and tags cost this year. The license fees will be refunded if you don't draw. If you don't draw the general license, you can't put in for the Gardiner permit. The general license deadline is March 15. The permit deadline is June 1 I believe. Hope I helped. mtmuley

kilowatt · Mar 14, 2006

A NR GEN. ELK tag is $590.25 tomorrow is the deadline.

Brian

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 14, 2006

What happens if I draw the NR elk general license and I don't draw the special permit? Am I out the $600?

Someone please respond SOON!!!

Thanx

GH

Zigga · Mar 14, 2006

If you draw the NR elk general license you can hunt with me if you don't mind shooting a dinky 340 bull. You don't have to draw a special permit to hunt elk, just the general license.

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 14, 2006

Zigga,

That would be great!!!. I could use an elk hunting mentor like you.

So if I draw this general license UI can hunt pretty much anywhere in the state, excluding the special permit areas?

(You didn't change your usename from Zim did you?)

GH

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 14, 2006

Zigga,

What's your perspective on the preference points? Are they worth it?

Thanx!

GH

Zigga · Mar 14, 2006

Well worth it!

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 15, 2006

Zigga,

Thanx!

GH

bowedark · Mar 15, 2006

Can I TAG along on this one I need a 340 bull????
I can shoot good!!!!!
Bowedark

thecrittergitter · Mar 15, 2006

Zigga, i hope you are kidding.... You make it sound like you can just go out and expect 340's walking around everywhere. If your serious, your standards are much higher than most if you really think 340 bulls are dinks.

kilowatt · Mar 15, 2006

$20.00 for the PP, save your money, that isn't going to help you draw.

Brian

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 15, 2006

Kilowatt,

Please elaborate on your PP perspective.

Thanx!

GH

Bambistew · Mar 15, 2006

The F&G sent me the draw odds from last year. People that opted not to use the PP system had basically the same odds of drawing as those who used it and had no points... which makes sence. Those draw odds for a big game combo tag are about 60%. The people with one point had about a 87% chance of drawing and with two points it was about 98%...

So you can take that how you want it, but for $20 to increase your odds of drawing almost 30% the following year is worth it IMO.

You'd be a fool to not apply for deer points. 0 points is about a 10% chance and 4 points is almost a gaurentee...

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 15, 2006

Bambistew,

Logically it seems to me that the PP should help.

Thanx!

GH

kilowatt · Mar 15, 2006

Nothing is Guaranteed, if it is, look out.

When MT started that $20.00 pp system, I CALLED and talked with a live body in F&G Hdqtrs. I asked about the PP system and if it would help to draw the following year, was told NO. So I asked well then, if I don't draw the following year, then with 2 pp's I should draw the next year then right? Answer, well NO but you have 2 for the following year. So I said well then, just when would I be assured of a Combo tag and the answer was, are you ready, it might just take you years if your "name" just doesn't come up.
So I say then, what you are telling me is I could keep paying you $20.00 PER YEAR FOR A POINT, and could continue to do so for lets say 10 years, which now is $200.00 in the bank for F&G, and still might not draw. The reply I got was quoted: " but you have the POINTS to draw when your name or number comes up", unquote.
I laughed in their face and hung up. Filled out my application MINUS THE $20.00 and sent in for the Big Game Combo tags and DREW IT AGAIN, BACK TO BACK YEARS 2000 & 2001.

So if you want to believe that 20.00 nonsense, go right ahead, I don't buy it at all. Was up there back in 2004 again with a Big Game Combo tag and never bought that PP.

Brian

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 15, 2006

Kilowatt,

So can I assume that you would recommend elk hunting in MT in general? I've done CO...too hunters, too few elk. And I've done NM...had great hunt, shot a real nice elk, but it was a LE hunt tht I can't do again. I am applying in other areas though.

GH

Bambistew · Mar 15, 2006

You're right you could be that unlucky and not draw with points, but I'll take the increasing odds with points over the same 60% chance every year, which BTW is going to decrease again this year... probalby not much, but I would bet that in 2-3 years 0 points will put you in the 50-50 range of drawing every year. Besides its only $20...

They started the point thing in 2000 or 2001 so your odds would have been very good since very few if any people had points then. I've put in and drawn 3 years in a row too, but didn't apply last year and am not holding my breath that I'll draw this year with out a point. IMO you'd be a fool to not spend the extra $20... Sheesh its not like you're giving to PETA...

Zigga · Mar 15, 2006

Kilowatt,

It could be that the person you were talking to wasn't exactly on the ball. I have asked questions to the people behind the counter and end up getting a completely different answer from someone else. They are not reliable at all unfortunately.

The 340 bull comment is a joke, sorry. You can come to MT and slam a monster on your first day or you might not see squat. It depends on the area and the pressure.

GrizlyHunter · Mar 15, 2006

Well guys...I did it...I applied for a general elk license AND a preference point!

Thanks for your time and information. Now it's off to planning for the CO and NM applications.

Good luck and talk to you all later.

Thanx again!

GH