Montana draw 2026

[8andcounting]

The elk/big game combos were actually up 1%. It’s the cheaper deer combos where the apps were noticeably lower. I think it speaks to the reality of MT deer hunting more than it says anything about the economy.

They were up 373 . Deer combos apps down 1744. I think people read into the cut of up to 2500 deer tags and that led into it - also yes by time buy a pref point is over $900 for the deer alone

 

[rmyoung1]

They were up 373 . Deer combos apps down 1744. I think people read into the cut of up to 2500 deer tags and that led into it - also yes by time buy a pref point is over $900 for the deer alone

I wonder if Arthur Laffer liked glassin’ up rutting forkies.

 

[8andcounting]

I wonder if Arthur Laffer liked glassin’ up rutting forkies.

No idea what that means . Was just stating that NR apps were down

 

[rmyoung1]

No idea what that means . Was just stating that NR apps were down

I’m not arguing with ya. That was just a nerdy jab at the current sad state of Montana mule deer quality.

 

[huntandfly]

900 for a deer tag is getting pretty steep. Still seems like there is plenty of demand though even at that level, probably has more room to run up

 

[brownbear932008]

900 for a deer tag is getting pretty steep. Still seems like there is plenty of demand though even at that level, probably has more room to run up

A ton of them are dreamers with a first-time tag I'm sure and think they are gonna burn some leather and get away from the crowds to kill a giant

 

[huntandfly]

A ton of them are dreamers with a first-time tag I'm sure and think they are gonna burn some leather and get away from the crowds to kill a giant

That places me squarely outside the majority then, this will be my 4th time back to Montana.

I’m a glutton for punishment I guess

 

[bigsky2]

900 for a deer tag is getting pretty steep. Still seems like there is plenty of demand though even at that level, probably has more room to run up

I didn't realize it was $900 for deer alone. That seems crazy steep to me considering that's over twice as much as some states I've hunted that have much better deer hunting.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I didn't realize it was $900 for deer alone. That seems crazy steep to me considering that's over twice as much as some states I've hunted that have much better deer hunting.

Season dates, right?

If youre applying else where and draw or dont you can still hunt here, either way.

 

[PoleX]

I didn't realize it was $900 for deer alone. That seems crazy steep to me considering that's over twice as much as some states I've hunted that have much better deer hunting.

If I lived out of state and someone offered to pay me 900$ to hunt Montana deer right now I’d probably save the PTO and pass .

 

[DFS]

$12.85 a pound for mule deer roasts.

 

[Mountain Mule]

$12.85 a pound for mule deer roasts.

What forkey have you shot that provides 70# of meat?...

 

[bigsky2]

If I lived out of state and someone offered to pay me 900$ to hunt Montana deer right now I’d probably save the PTO and pass .

I’m sure I’m biased as someone that’s been able to hunt deer here every year since I was 12, but I’m not sure it’s worth it for $900.

 

[Perlodid]

I’m sure I’m biased as someone that’s been able to hunt deer here every year since I was 12, but I’m not sure it’s worth it for $900.

It's a fair question, but as someone who is spending that $900 this year, it will be worth it for me regardless of the result. I'm only going to hunt blacktails in WA, so this allows me the opportunity to hunt whitetails/mule deer as well + the long season gives me enough flexibility that I can head over there at any point in November that I can get enough time off work. And the unfortunate truth is that even the current state of MT deer hunting is still better than most of the opportunities I have nearby.

 

[huntandfly]

It's a fair question, but as someone who is spending that $900 this year, it will be worth it for me regardless of the result. I'm only going to hunt blacktails in WA, so this allows me the opportunity to hunt whitetails/mule deer as well + the long season gives me enough flexibility that I can head over there at any point in November that I can get enough time off work. And the unfortunate truth is that even the current state of MT deer hunting is still better than most of the opportunities I have nearby.

This. Plus when you are walking a ridge in beautiful country with your family you don’t really think about the $900

 

[lastlight]

What forkey have you shot that provides 70# of meat?...

Ya must be bone-in and a 7 yr old fork, cut with 100% beef fat.

 

[antlerradar]

Almost 1400 less applicants for the Deer/elk/big game combos . Not surprised with the economy

And the quality.

I wonder what the percentage of the applicants have private land lined up to hunt on and how much it has changed since the deer herd tanked.

 

[8andcounting]

And the quality.

I wonder what the percentage of the applicants have private land lined up to hunt on and how much it has changed since the deer herd tanked.

That’s a good point.

 

[Forkyfinder]

And the quality.

I wonder what the percentage of the applicants have private land lined up to hunt on and how much it has changed since the deer herd tanked.

The commission did every one who lives here a favor and cut 2500 tags. Plenty of NR knew that and as a consequence less applied - i doubt its got a lot to do with NR perception of quality. The season time and length are much bigger drivers.

Which is exactly what @Perlodid said.

 

[Irishman]

As a resident I've always thought that non resident tags were expensive, and that I wouldn't pay that much for a tag. However, I'm sure that I spend a lot more on hunting each year than the price of a non resident tag. A lot of my expense is gas, on many hunting days, probably way too much driving. Will price increases in tags, gas, and every other expense result in less people hunting in Montana? I doubt it.