Montana draw 2026

[cgasner1]

Where else are people supposed to apply for deer?

Pretty basic math that with so few LE units to apply, odds will be terrible.

Colorado

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

Where else are people supposed to apply for deer?

Pretty basic math that with so few LE units to apply, odds will be terrible.

No doubt. People got to apply somewhere. I picked deer in 270 with around 11K first choice applicants. I'm fully aware that's like a public land hunt for a mediocre deer, and maybe something in the 170 range if you're allowed to hunt along the right driveway. My kids partied up in the bridgers, figuring easy, close, and they could do that weekdays, etc. Not considering that a high quality permit - I had no idea it was in such demand. Probably the majority of applicants from Bozeman? I can't imagine paying the non-resident fees, and beating the odds of drawing that permit, and travelling from another state to hunt that kind of place.

Times have really changed.

 

[cgasner1]

If I was to bet money on why nr deer ap numbers dropped this year it’s due to the pp system for them to draw. The way it’s designed if you dont plan on hunting this year you’d be dumb to build the point if you’d like to try next year

 

[8andcounting]

If I was to bet money on why nr deer ap numbers dropped this year it’s due to the pp system for them to draw. The way it’s designed if you dont plan on hunting this year you’d be dumb to build the point if you’d like to try next year

could certainly be .

 

[brockel]

Maybe quality isn’t worth the cost anymore. Only a few years too late

 

[SAJ-99]

If I was to bet money on why nr deer ap numbers dropped this year it’s due to the pp system for them to draw. The way it’s designed if you dont plan on hunting this year you’d be dumb to build the point if you’d like to try next year

Why am I dumb? I mean, I might be. Probably, actually, on a lot of things at least. But why would not applying be dumb?

 

[8andcounting]

If I were in charge in MT I would eliminate the big game combos . You either apply for deer or elk not both . And you pick your region . No statewide free for all . And no B deer tags for NR . 0. Maybe 1 B tag for elk . That would be a way I think would atleast slow some of the R dislike for NR

 

[8andcounting]

Why am I dumb? I mean, I might be. Probably, actually, on a lot of things at least. But why would not applying be dumb?

Cuz if you had a pp point and didn’t want to hunt for whatever reason this year you were stuck cuz you have to apply or you lose your pp

 

[SAJ-99]

Cuz if you had a pp point and didn’t want to hunt for whatever reason this year you were stuck cuz you have to apply or you lose your pp

Yes. You are correct. But I’m not dumb. Those are the rules. The rules are dumb.

 

[cgasner1]

Why am I dumb? I mean, I might be. Probably, actually, on a lot of things at least. But why would not applying be dumb?

Go look at the draw odds and see how many guys draw with 1 pp compared to zero

 

[SAJ-99]

Go look at the draw odds and see how many guys draw with 1 pp compared to zero

The way it’s designed if you dont plan on hunting this year you’d be dumb to build the point if you’d like to try next year

Well aware of the odds.We did this in another thread when someone asked a similar question. i had one PP purchased last year, 2025. I was going to purchase another and apply in 2026. Something came up (drew in another state) so I didn’t apply in 2026. Because I didn’t apply in consecutive years, I lost the 2025 PP. In July I can purchase my bonus points and another PP for 2026 and then plan to purchase the 2027 PP so I go into 2027 draw with 2pp. Basically I have to buy a PP twice, but that was cheaper than taking a long shot at a possible LE permit and then turning the general tag back in for 80% refund. Of course there was a 20%ish chance I didn’t pull a general tag, and I assume similar odds next year, but from a standpoint of expected cost, I took the cheapest option. Life is full of uncertainty.

 

[golfer]

If I were in charge in MT I would eliminate the big game combos . You either apply for deer or elk not both . And you pick your region . No statewide free for all . And no B deer tags for NR . 0. Maybe 1 B tag for elk . That would be a way I think would atleast slow some of the R dislike for NR

Explain how this doesn’t add more people to the landscape?

 

[MNElkNut]

Well aware of the odds.We did this in another thread when someone asked a similar question. i had one PP purchased last year, 2025. I was going to purchase another and apply in 2026. Something came up (drew in another state) so I didn’t apply in 2026. Because I didn’t apply in consecutive years, I lost the 2025 PP. In July I can purchase my bonus points and another PP for 2026 and then plan to purchase the 2027 PP so I go into 2027 draw with 2pp. Basically I have to buy a PP twice, but that was cheaper than taking a long shot at a possible LE permit and then turning the general tag back in for 80% refund. Of course there was a 20%ish chance I didn’t pull a general tag, and I assume similar odds next year, but from a standpoint of expected cost, I took the cheapest option. Life is full of uncertainty.

Couldn’t you have applied this year without buying a point and went into the draw with only your 2025 pref point. Drawing odds of 0%.

 

[antlerradar]

Explain how this doesn’t add more people to the landscape?

When I was on the Licensing and funding CAC, breaking up the Combo license was part of the discussion. The potential for twice as many NR hunters kept it form haveing any chance of making it into our recommendations

 

[8andcounting]

Explain how this doesn’t add more people to the landscape?

Don’t go over the 17,000 . And no more come home to hunt no more native

 

[8andcounting]

6000 NR deer tags 11000 NR elk tags

 

[golfer]

6000 NR deer tags 11000 NR elk tags

And add the deer combo to that too.


So your scenario puts 17K individual hunters in the hills. Where how it is now 17000/2 is 8500. Could possibly be out there. Not sure how you figure 17k individuals is better, but that math don’t math.

 

[rjthehunter]

If I were in charge in MT I would eliminate the big game combos . You either apply for deer or elk not both . And you pick your region . No statewide free for all . And no B deer tags for NR . 0. Maybe 1 B tag for elk . That would be a way I think would atleast slow some of the R dislike for NR

Nothing can slow the R hate for the NR.

Isn't the state still almost double the "objective" population for elk?

Maybe... just maybe, access is playing a big role. Just an idea. I enjoy the opportunity MT gives NR. It sucks a combo tag cost $1500, but an expensive tag is better than no opportunity.

 

[8andcounting]

And add the deer combo to that too.


So your scenario puts 17K individual hunters in the hills. Where how it is now 17000/2 is 8500. Could possibly be out there. Not sure how you figure 17k individuals is better, but that math don’t math.

It’s 17000 bg combo/elk now plus 4600 deer …… plus all the other native and come home to hunt

 

[8andcounting]

I’ve seen that stat thrown out they figure there’s about 33,000 NR deer combo and big game/elk combos given out last few years overall take 2500 off this year still around 30k . My proposal is pretty good