Looking at doing a deer/antelope combo in '18

[andrew12gauge]

As the title states I'm looking at doing a deer and antelope combo in 2018, I have likely private access in the SE region of the state and was mostly wondering how the drawing works and what the drawing odds are looking like these days. I know the last time I made it back to Montana it was essentially a guaranteed draw for general deer with 1 point, but as I understand demand is down, so would a guy need to apply this year for the general deer and if so is there a point only option, and then as far as antelope kinda the same deal, I know I would need the 700 region tag but I'm having troubles understanding draw odds, do I need to make sure and get a point this year or would it likely be a guaranteed draw. I don't want to draw one without a high likelyhood of getting the other I understand nothing is guaranteed but if I'm going to put the time and money in I'd like to do a combo rather than just one species. Thanks in advance, Andrew


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[Tim McCoy]

Last I looked 2016 drawing stats were not out yet. 2015 as I recall, deer combo was close to if not 100% draw, antelope for 700 was 25-30% ish somewhere. They did add more 700 area antelope tags in 16, which may help the odds. But pulling both is a looong shot, unless 700 antelope tags get closer to past levels. If we dodge a winter kill this winter, they could rise again. I have a friend in ND with nearly 4' of snow and drifts close to double that, so SE MT, if they are getting similar stuff, may have issues with winter kill, if this goes on much longer.

I forget if there is a points only option, I think you have to enter the draw for a valid unit, but check that out or maybe someone else can say for sure. You may be able to check a refund option and buy a point, if you put in for a deer combo and the toughest special deer unit too, check the refund and no deer combo license option if don't draw special hunt, then hope not to draw deer special hunt and get your point and partial refund. Worth checking. Have zero idea what to expect for 2018, if everything turns out with the winter (s), I'd guess excellent deer odds and better antelope odds... Antelope populations can bounce back real fast, so hope for mild winters.

 

[andrew12gauge]

So when you say 25-30% draw odds for the 700 region antelope that would be with 0 points correct? I was thinking I might need to apply for a tough to draw antelope tag this year in order to give myself good odds next year. I had seen stats where it seemed like with points(1+) the 700 region tag was nearly a guaranteed draw, was I reading that right? Sounds like I could forego the deer point this year, get an antelope point and give myself a pretty good chance of getting both in '18 if I'm interpreting this all correctly


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[Tim McCoy]

I do not recall seeing draw odds by point level, so not sure. I'd be checking, pretty sure the 2015 stats are online at MT FWP, but your strategy sounds like what I'd be looking at doing in your place. If all our guesses are right, it just may work. You've got plenty of time to study it out. We've been 100% on MT deer for quite a few years, while that could change, the high cost suggests to me it may not.

We did put in for 700 antelope last year, did not draw. We'd finally seen enough where we hunt to make it viable, we'll try again for 17 I suspect. Good luck!

 

[Swedishhunter]

Assuming this is non-resident the Deer general combo I think has had leftovers for the last several years. Antelope non-resident in 700 with no preference point was 20% in 2015. Don't know about 2016, but it may have improved a bit as I understand the herd is recovering. So you could probably bank on a deer hunt with possible antelope as a bonus.