Montana drawing results- Deer?

[ageewhy]

Anyone else seeing drawing results posted yet? I checked mine and it says "unsuccessful for 2017"... I called them to make sure since I hadn't seen any announcement that results were posted and they said "the drawing is taking place right now, final results will not be posted until Monday April 24th- check back then"

...This is my first year applying, I am really hoping something changes by Monday. Gonna be super bummed if we didn't get drawn.

 

[LCH]

I'm in the same boat. I've seen a lot of people posting that they are showing unsuccessful for deer, elk, and the big game combo. I'm going to wait until the results are "official" before digging too deep into contingency plans.

 

[hoshour]

Looks like the MT deer and elk results are finally posted, though the record I looked at still had "pending" for the deer combo, but the permit lines have moved from Pending to Successful or Not Successful.

This has been ugly week for MT FWP's drawing site. One flip flop after another on the big game combo.

 

[Alabama]

Permit drawing process continues:

The drawing for elk permits was restarted today due to a process error. The elk and deer permit drawing process started on Monday with non-resident big game combo licenses. If applicants are successful in the license drawing then they move into elk and/or deer permit drawings, which happens next. The multi-layered drawing process typically takes a few days to complete.

Barring any other unforeseen problems, we anticipate that results will be posted online by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience.

Straight from Montana's website. Patience guys lol

 

[ageewhy]

Welp, I guess its official. I just got off the phone with MFWP and they said the Combo licenses have been drawn and finalized. Man, what a bummer. Had my whole group lined up- me and my dad, his buddy and two others). Already secured lodging too. Was going to be our first Mule Deer hunt. I know, I know, cry me a river.

I guess its back to the drawing board. We do have 1 point for Mule deer in Wyoming, but not sure what that can get us...Idaho is an option too but the terrain looks a little intimidating for the Dads in the group.

Hope you guys had better luck than me!

 

[Tim McCoy]

Welp, I guess its official. I just got off the phone with MFWP and they said the Combo licenses have been drawn and finalized. Man, what a bummer. Had my whole group lined up- me and my dad, his buddy and two others). Already secured lodging too. Was going to be our first Mule Deer hunt. I know, I know, cry me a river.

I guess its back to the drawing board. We do have 1 point for Mule deer in Wyoming, but not sure what that can get us...Idaho is an option too but the terrain looks a little intimidating for the Dads in the group.

Hope you guys had better luck than me!

There have been years in the past, when the draw was done and I got no MT tag, that late in the summer they'd send a note about first come deer tags. Not sure if they were after folks turned theirs in or population survey said harvest more or it was for the $. Might be worth it to ask the dept.

 

[ageewhy]

Thanks Tim- I did inquire with them about this and they said they plan to have another go around with refund licenses sometime in May. But no indication of when or how many. The other issue is that you can apply or pickup permits in a group. I have 5 in my group...and were either all in or all out.

 

[johnsd16]

Thanks Tim- I did inquire with them about this and they said they plan to have another go around with refund licenses sometime in May. But no indication of when or how many. The other issue is that you can apply or pickup permits in a group. I have 5 in my group...and were either all in or all out.

I'd be willing to be a good amount that the big game (deer & elk) combos will be available. They allow for the highest number of those and they are the most $$ and there are usually tons of leftovers. If your group is willing to pay the higher $$ for the deer/elk tag you can all go to MT almost assuredly this year.

 

[ageewhy]

I'd be willing to be a good amount that the big game (deer & elk) combos will be available. They allow for the highest number of those and they are the most $$ and there are usually tons of leftovers. If your group is willing to pay the higher $$ for the deer/elk tag you can all go to MT almost assuredly this year.

I wish that were the case- because we would strongly consider it... but I called and there are ZERO deer/elk combos available.

The only thing that did not sell out during the draw are Non resident Elk general tags...

 

[Tim McCoy]

If they start selling out again, unless they changed their pricing model, expect to see pressure to increase the cost till they just barely sell out.

 

[rammont]

So what would be wrong with going for a non resident elk general?

 

[ageewhy]

So what would be wrong with going for a non resident elk general?

Not a thing! And in fact we may consider going that route...I think the only thing holding us back was that we are all very green western hunters. Lots of doubt questions like "man what if we get one, how are we gonna get to out", "how are we gonna find the elk without being able to scout" etc. Just kind of had it in my head that a natural progression would be Antelope > Mule Deer > Elk. But Im trying not to let that hold us back...

I have been doing research all day on Gen tags for Elk. Seems like Region 3 holds the highest population. I called the regional office and they told me to start my research around Dillon over to Ennis. But we focused so much attention on Mule deer over the past few months Im starting from scratch.

 

[johnsd16]

I have to believe you if you called and heard it from them, but I'll be very surprised come may if there are no deer/elk tags leftover. They allocate tons more of the deer/elk than the elk or deer tags. Last year there were 1000s left over and they took months to sell out. In 2015 I want to say there was about 1200 unsold deer tags that sold out in July. Last year there were 500 that sold in five hours. Both of those years there were >1000 for both the elk and deer/elk. If demand has shot up so quickly that what were all 100% in 2015 to 2 of 3 types of tags not being 100% is interesting. I do think the price hikes in other states will make MT demand go up. The next couple of years will be interesting between MT, WY and ID based on tag availability and price.

 

[ageewhy]

I have to believe you if you called and heard it from them, but I'll be very surprised come may if there are no deer/elk tags leftover. They allocate tons more of the deer/elk than the elk or deer tags. Last year there were 1000s left over and they took months to sell out. In 2015 I want to say there was about 1200 unsold deer tags that sold out in July. Last year there were 500 that sold in five hours. Both of those years there were >1000 for both the elk and deer/elk. If demand has shot up so quickly that what were all 100% in 2015 to 2 of 3 types of tags not being 100% is interesting. I do think the price hikes in other states will make MT demand go up. The next couple of years will be interesting between MT, WY and ID based on tag availability and price.

Heard it straight from the horses mouth. First time they have sold out during the drawing period in 5 years- and it totally surprised us and royally screwed up our plans. A lot are speculating it is because of the heavy snowfall and harsh winters in other states like CO, WY, and ID.

I am sure there will be some that are turned in or refunded- but for a group of 5 its useless. They are not first come first serve- they are going to be re-drawn and randomized and you can't apply in a group. We thought it was a done deal based on previous years- had everything booked and ready to go. Tough lesson learned.

 

[rammont]

I live about 130 or so miles north of the areas you are looking at so I can't be of any specific help, my hunting is far different than what you'll experience down around Dillon and Ennis.

 

[Swedishhunter]

We did get our general deer tags. Boy am I happy we applied instead of waiting for the leftovers (as I have done in previous years). Also good move that we applied as a group. Now we are finalizing our plans and also looking at applying for antelope and possibly a deer B tag. Hope it works out for all you guys who didn't draw. I think there is truth to the thought that the heavy snow in Colorado and Wyoming has directed more people to Montana this year.