I have a burning question for you long time Montana hunters. Could you explain how the Elk access list works or really doesn't work. I ask this question because I was very low on the number on several properties this last year (2023) and I was kinda expecting to be called... but the numbers never changed for any of them. Is this something that doesn't really work ?
Elk hunt access lists
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8andcounting
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It’s another fwp failure
Teeejs
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Had a similar experience in 2023. Worth signing up for 2024?
So those are the 454 or Elk hunting access agreements. My wife registered for one and got selected to hunt during the season. The number in my opinion would be where you would be in line. If someone ahead of you couldn’t participate and they made it to your number you would get called. I’m guessing this was for the general archery and rifle season dates and are not damage hunts. When my wife was notified that she had been selected to participate they said if we couldn’t make it work we should let fwp know so they could get someone else in there to hunt.
8andcounting
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So was I . Watched over 20 different ones and not 1 ever moved
I’m guessing the number of hunters is small enough they won’t change much going forward. For example to get the permit they want they have to allow 3 hunters one of their choice and fwp picks the others. Unless someone can’t make it work that number I doubt changes.
Correct your notified prior to the season. So those with a number are just that number.
Big Sky Guy
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This is the first year I really noticed it. Signed up for 2 close to where I live, don't expect anything to come of it but my understanding is that you generally have a 2 out of X # of entries chance to draw? Like mentioned above, FWP picks 2, landowner picks at least 1. Don't see any incentive for landowner to allow FWP to pick more than 2. Basically a limited draw BMA?
What I am mostly curious about is when and how long do they allow you to hunt? I wouldn't be surprised if they let the FWP picks on to the property when there are no, or likely to be, no elk on the property just to cross the "public access" checkbox for FWP, but maybe I'm just being pessimistic. I believe @Frequently Banned Troll has shared similar experiences with Type 2 BMA's where the general public is seemingly excluded no matter how early or when you call, not sure if that ever got figured out or resolved. This is a bit different, at least they are presumably letting general public picks on the property during a hunting season.
How did it work out for your wife when she got selected @golfer ? Were there huntable elk on the property, how many days were you allocated to hunt? Don't see it being the entire season? Just hard for me to imagine opening up prime access during prime hunting when elk are on the property to a random FWP pick all in exchange for an elk tag that's only valid on the landowners property? Maybe there is more benefit to them? Maybe a non-resident landowner that isn't guaranteed a tag each year and really wanted to be guaranteed they could hunt their own property each year would make a little more sense.
What I am mostly curious about is when and how long do they allow you to hunt? I wouldn't be surprised if they let the FWP picks on to the property when there are no, or likely to be, no elk on the property just to cross the "public access" checkbox for FWP, but maybe I'm just being pessimistic. I believe @Frequently Banned Troll has shared similar experiences with Type 2 BMA's where the general public is seemingly excluded no matter how early or when you call, not sure if that ever got figured out or resolved. This is a bit different, at least they are presumably letting general public picks on the property during a hunting season.
How did it work out for your wife when she got selected @golfer ? Were there huntable elk on the property, how many days were you allocated to hunt? Don't see it being the entire season? Just hard for me to imagine opening up prime access during prime hunting when elk are on the property to a random FWP pick all in exchange for an elk tag that's only valid on the landowners property? Maybe there is more benefit to them? Maybe a non-resident landowner that isn't guaranteed a tag each year and really wanted to be guaranteed they could hunt their own property each year would make a little more sense.
We called landowner roughly 5-6 days ahead of when we planned/could hunt. They wanted us there on a Wednesday. Discussed how we both had to work all week and Wednesday wouldn’t work for us. Landowner wasn’t thrilled by that, they were shipping during week if I remember correctly. Finally settled on being there Saturday. They got moisture between call and when we showed up. Called night before we were going to arrive, landowner wasn’t thrilled we were coming due to moisture. I said well either way we would be in area hunting other ground if we couldn’t get on their property. Landowner said to meet at house next morning, still trying to persuade us not to go seemed worried about ruts, which I understand. Said if possible we would walk from house and that’s what we did. Landowner offered us a side by side if we got one. We saw a couple bulls (wife had a cow tag) had a nice walk. Went back checked in on our way out. Never called back to see if we could get on again, figured that much hassle wasn’t worth it. Went back to area a week later she got a cow on public. So I guess I’m still not sure these are the best things moving forward. Some may connect on the hunt other may not, but that’s hunting it shouldn’t be like shooting fish in a barrel. But I do think the landowner should be pretty willing to work with hunters schedule. On the flip side some of these EHA hunts are the only way some of these inaccessible elk will get hunted.
If your drawn/selected to hunt the property they will notify you.
Forkyfinder
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@Ben Lamb - ive heard you explain the benefits of 454/EHA - want to try here?
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