I'm trying to figure out how the Montana tags work. I would like to hunt mulies/whitetails in Montana this year, but understanding the general license is confusing. Do you have to apply for the general deer units with preference points, or are they basically OTC? I'm just confused about this process and would appreciate any clarification. Thanks guys
Clarification for Montana Deer Tags
- Thread starter huntfishtrap247
- Start date
NDHunter
Veteran member
Ohhhh Montana. Fantastic hunting state but sure takes awhile to figure out how the tags work.
Basically there are general tags and limited entry tags. You will first apply for the general tag. It gets a little more complicated right away since you can apply for either the elk/deer combo license or else just the deer combo license. They call it a combo license because you also get a small game license and a few other licenses. Odds of drawing each combo license have been 100% in the past few years. I think MT allows you to buy a preference point before you even apply but with 100% draw odds, that is unnecessary. Of course that could always change but probably not unless they lower their tag fees.
To figure out when and where you can hunt, look in the regs and most of the units will allow you to hunt with the general tag.
MT is very liberal with their season dates and has some very good hunting.
Basically there are general tags and limited entry tags. You will first apply for the general tag. It gets a little more complicated right away since you can apply for either the elk/deer combo license or else just the deer combo license. They call it a combo license because you also get a small game license and a few other licenses. Odds of drawing each combo license have been 100% in the past few years. I think MT allows you to buy a preference point before you even apply but with 100% draw odds, that is unnecessary. Of course that could always change but probably not unless they lower their tag fees.
To figure out when and where you can hunt, look in the regs and most of the units will allow you to hunt with the general tag.
MT is very liberal with their season dates and has some very good hunting.
Thank you, so any unit that says general deer (for example unit 445, which is just a random unit I picked) has been 100% draw odds, and all you have to buy is the general deer tag? I thought I read that you first buy the general license, and then you must apply for the tag?
If all you want to hunt is general deer, yes, apply by the deadline and hope to draw. It has been pretty much a sure thing recently. 3/16 deadline this year, but check it out. It is a limited draw for a general license. If you are worried about a bunch more folks putting in for deer only, apply for the combo, then apply for the hardest elk limited unit tag and check the box, refund me the elk general license fee if I don't get the elk unit I wanted, and you keep the deer tag. There are quite a few more combo tags than general deer tags.
Alabama
Veteran member
You don't have to have a tag just a combo license to hunt ANY general area. The only reason a tag is needed is to hunt limited entry only. If you apply for the deer combo license you will get it.
NDHunter
Veteran member
Last year I think there were over 500 deer tags available and something like 1,500 deer/elk combo tags available after the draw. The deer tags sold out after a few months but elk/deer never sold out.
I don't have the regs in front of me right now for your 445 question but I think if you look at it for awhile, it'll all start to make sense.
I don't have the regs in front of me right now for your 445 question but I think if you look at it for awhile, it'll all start to make sense.
NDHunter
Veteran member
Here's a thread you can look at for more info.
http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/6716-Bonus-point-only
http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/6716-Bonus-point-only
missjordan
Veteran member
There are also a handful of districts that are "limited entry" but have 100% draw odds. So if you put in for the tag your only limited to hunting mule deer in that one district. It's just a little different than a general tag that's good for all general units.