Montana mule deer hunting

[archer8524]

Hello, I'm thinking about doing a mule deer hunt in Montana in the future. I have never hunted mule deer before. Just wondering what units would be a good place to start, that would offer the chance at a good buck. Also looking for information on how the preference points, drawing, and tags work in Montana. I looked at the FWP website but it was a little confusing! Thanks.

 

[NDHunter]

Montana's draw process is all messed up. Basically, you apply for the general tag. Then if you draw, you apply for limited entry units. If you don't draw the limited entry unit, you have 1 point the following year. However, you DO NOT have a point for the general tag. You cannot buy points only in Montana, you must apply for the license. It is not a very good state for non-residents to build points because you must get the expensive general tag first. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[dewey]

Hey NDHunter I believe that the NR preference points has changed in MT. Here is an excerpt from the MT FWP website regarding prefernce points for big game or deer combination licenses. Here is the link to where I found this at.

http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/nonresidentCombo.html#preferencePoints

Preference Point System
The Montana State Legislature passed a new law—effective July 1, 2011—that establishes a preference point system to distribute "Class B-10" nonresident big game combination licenses and "Class B-11" nonresident deer combination licenses. In a preference point system, licenses are awarded to those applicants who hold the greatest number of preference points.

Purchasing Preference Points
Preference points for a nonresident big game or deer combination license may be purchased for a nonrefundable fee of $50. Preference points can be purchased:

•at the time of application for the nonresident combination license; or
•between July 1 and September 30 for individuals who did not purchase a preference point when applying for a nonresident big game combination license; or
•between July 1 and September 30 for individuals who did not apply for a nonresident big game license.
Applicants may purchase only one preference point per license year. Preference points purchased at the time of application are awarded prior to the drawing. The application deadline is September 30, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Dewey