2012 MT Hunting Regulation Changes

[rmyoung1]

I heard that Montana was implementing some pretty big changes for 2012, especially for non-resident applicants. 2011 had a lot of changes with the abolition of the outfitter-sponsored tags. What's going down in 2012? Anyone know?

 

[mixedbag]

One draw system now, which will make the limited tags pretty hard to get from now on.I think general combo will be easy though.good thing I found an awesome general area.But, I'll still try for a limited tag

 

[brownbear932008]

Does anyone know if MT. is going to offer the special deer/elk draw hunts with the same deadline of Mar. 15th as the general tags as they did in the past or is it still a June deadline and all that. I know some changes where made but haven't been able to find out what they are yet?

 

[MThuntr]

They outlawed non-residents all together :hump: ...I couldn't resist!

I don't know if things are official but they were planning on switching elk and deer special permit application deadlines to March 15. I'd be willing to guess that you will see a lot less "B" anterless deer tags in Regions 4 and 6. A lot less antelope tags and fewer moose and elk tags where wolves have altered populations.

 

[belly-deep]

I heard something about a preference point system for the NR general draw.

 

[Bambistew]

There is a new reg going in to effect for former residents who are now NR... If you have next of kin still living in the state, and you held a resident license at one time, you're eligable for an OTC elk and deer tag at 4x the resident cost.

Heard they might be moving all the special draws up a few months. Sure hope they get the word out soon, can you imagine all the people who will complain once they miss the deadline?

 

[brownbear932008]

They outlawed non-residents all together ...I couldn't resist!


LOL I have kinda decided it's getting a lil pricy for me anyways, thinking bout calling it quits like many ppl did this year.... A guys pockets are only so deep and I've bout reached the bottom I think. AK. is looking much better for me now days it's much better hunting anyway......

 

[BuzzH]

Montana is looking good for me this year as a NR...$64 deer tag and $80 elk tag.

I'll be riding that pony until it gives out.

I was feeling guilty about it at first.....I'm over the guilt.

 

[rmyoung1]

Is that true about former MT residents with next-of-kin still in the state? Is that right? Could I really be that lucky???? If this is a joke, Bambistew, shame on you....

 

[shoots-straight]

Is that true about former MT residents with next-of-kin still in the state? Is that right? Could I really be that lucky???? If this is a joke, Bambistew, shame on you....

You have to be a native born Montanan.

 

[nidahunter]

It is called the "Come home to hunt" program. Basically, if you were a Montana resident at one time and held a resident license, and if you have a family member that is still a resident, you can get tags as long as you are hunting with your family member. I used this program 2 years ago when my entire party didnt draw. I was still able to get a deer combo and hunt with my Brother in law.

 

[rmyoung1]

It is called the "Come home to hunt" program. Basically, if you were a Montana resident at one time and held a resident license, and if you have a family member that is still a resident, you can get tags as long as you are hunting with your family member. I used this program 2 years ago when my entire party didnt draw. I was still able to get a deer combo and hunt with my Brother in law.

Yeah, I am familiar with the "Come Home to Hunt" program. Got a deer combo license through the program in 2010. But I paid full price. Is the 4-times-the-resident-price thing true or are you guys messing with me?

 

[MThuntr]

Is that true about former MT residents with next-of-kin still in the state? Is that right? Could I really be that lucky???? If this is a joke, Bambistew, shame on you....

I remember reading something about this but I don't know for sure if it was a proposal or if it was actually adopted. I couldn't find it online so I'd suggest calling into an FWP office soon to confirm.

 

[devon deer]

I thought i would e-mail the MFWP to expalin the application process, i sent this question
if i am fortunate enough to be successful and get a tag, can it be used anywhere in Montana that is public or blm land?, or would the tag be area specific?

As this will be a once in a lifetime trip for me i only wish to hunt a bull elk, does the tag specifically state what sex is to be hunted?

If i buy bonus points i assume that helps?

I got this reply
the combination license will give you Access to any hunting district in the state. However each hunting district has its own hunting regulations, so you will need to know what you are legally allowed to hunt in what hunting district.

Yes the preference point will help you draw a license.

So being a complete outsider i read into that reply that i could hunt on any public land in Montana, but then i start to find mention of 'general area's and drawing specific area's, so now i am totally confused.
What/where are the general areas?
Before i shell out $912 i need to get this straight in my head.
Can anyone on here please explain this to me in plain, easy to understand language that an English outsider can interpret correctly.

Many thanks

Richard

 

[Bambistew]

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billhtml/SB0136.htm

I forgot about the "native" born part. even better.

No requirement for hunting with a family member. I'm not sure if they'll continue to have the 'Comming Home To Hunt" licenses or not. I don't recall what the stipulations were for those, maybe they're less stringent and only require you hunt with next of kin?

 

[rmyoung1]

Thanks for the link. I can't believe this. So I don't qualify because I moved to MT when I was 5. But my younger brother, born in Livingston, qualifies. Unbelievable. I wanted to be born in Montana, but I didn't have a say in the matter.

 

[mixedbag]

devon deer;if you apply for a general elk tag,you can only hunt in general areas.If you happen to draw a limited quota tag its district specific.plenty of good general areas in Montana but its certainly not open statewide.most limited tags are hard to draw so I'll assume your going for a general tag.If you know where you want to hunt,look up the hunt district and see if its a general or limited quota area to determine what tag you'll need
If you let us know where you plan to hunt(mountain range) someone will tell you if its limited or general
It was my understanding that theres one draw this year on March 15th;no late special draw.This way people don't have to return licenses when they don't draw their limited areas.I really think this will make the general combo pretty easy to get plus the new prices from last year.i think NR draw odds are going to go way down since you don't have to invest in the general tag first to enter the special draws

 

[----]

I thought i would e-mail the MFWP to expalin the application process, i sent this question
if i am fortunate enough to be successful and get a tag, can it be used anywhere in Montana that is public or blm land?, or would the tag be area specific?

As this will be a once in a lifetime trip for me i only wish to hunt a bull elk, does the tag specifically state what sex is to be hunted?

If i buy bonus points i assume that helps?

I got this reply
the combination license will give you Access to any hunting district in the state. However each hunting district has its own hunting regulations, so you will need to know what you are legally allowed to hunt in what hunting district.

Yes the preference point will help you draw a license.

So being a complete outsider i read into that reply that i could hunt on any public land in Montana, but then i start to find mention of 'general area's and drawing specific area's, so now i am totally confused.
What/where are the general areas?
Before i shell out $912 i need to get this straight in my head.
Can anyone on here please explain this to me in plain, easy to understand language that an English outsider can interpret correctly.

Many thanks

Richard

Whoever replied to you really needs to be more specific, that's a shit response from them.
By drawing the combo tag, you get a general deer and elk tag. About 50% of the state is good on the general elk tag. You can hunt any of the general units with a general tag, they're not unit specific.

After you have the general tag, you can apply for a special permit, which allows you to hunt in a specific unit that requires a permit.

You'll have to read up on the regulations on what each specific unit is. For the most part though, the west side is general units, and the east side is special permit only.

For deer, almost all the state is open for whitetail on the general tag, and maybe 3/4 is open for mule deer. Same thing as elk, you can apply for a special permit after you draw your general tag. If you draw a mule deer permit, you are only allowed to hunt mule deer in that unit, but you can still hunt whitetail in any general unit.

 

[Drake4]

By drawing the combo tag, you get a general deer and elk tag. About 50% of the state is good on the general elk tag. You can hunt any of the general units with a general tag, they're not unit specific.

After you have the general tag, you can apply for a special permit, which allows you to hunt in a specific unit that requires a permit.

You'll have to read up on the regulations on what each specific unit is. For the most part though, the west side is general units, and the east side is special permit only.

For deer, almost all the state is open for whitetail on the general tag, and maybe 3/4 is open for mule deer. Same thing as elk, you can apply for a special permit after you draw your general tag. If you draw a mule deer permit, you are only allowed to hunt mule deer in that unit, but you can still hunt whitetail in any general unit.

Cut that out and put it on your fridge...can't sum it up much better than that.