Otc Sheep

[rogerthat]

Curious when the ability to purchase an unlimited sheep license OTC went away? It appears it is now through the draw only??? What was the background on this change? Was this change put out for public comment? Seems like that will keep you from buying a bonus point for the year if you apply unlimited. But I’m sure they didn’t shut down your ability to buy points during the waiting period which is absolutely ludicrous imo. Just curious if I was the only one that missed this change? Or did they stealth mode this one in?

 

[SAJ-99]

Noticed that as well. Seems like this year is the first.

2026 Montana Draw Details

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[MTLabrador]

Interesting and good to know. Always bought mine OTC.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I dont know but i like the change.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Can’t we apply for unlimited and then purchase a bonus point after the draw?

 

[cgasner1]

Can’t we apply for unlimited and then purchase a bonus point after the draw?

Can’t draw a tag and get a point. I believe it’s first choice only but I don’t have any regs in front of me

 

[Deez Nutz]

The way I read the change was that it went to a guaranteed draw but any bonus points you had would be used when drawn.

 

[Forkyfinder]

The way I read the change was that it went to a guaranteed draw but any bonus points you had would be used when drawn.

Also how i read it.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

Interesting - will that help the folks with less points or will it effect it at all?

 

[HappyCamper]

People with high point totals are going to have to give up the unlimited hunts or burn their points. Should make the unlimiteds slightly less pressured but have a negligible impact on the LE odds.

 

[DFS]

I’m not seeing where bonus points would be used if you draw it.

 

[Hams42]

They got rid of the double dipping. You now have to apply for it through the draw and once you select the unit you will not have the ability to do anything with bonus points. You will also not be able to buy points come July.

 

[HappyCamper]

I’m not seeing where bonus points would be used if you draw it.

You must list unlimited unit as your first choice (which I was told was the only way to burn or lose points was drawing 1st choice). Top right of page 36 of the regulations.

 

[MTGomer]

The purpose is to keep people from accruing bonus points while hunting the unlimiteds. the easiest way for the dept to implement this was to make people acquire their licenses via the draw.

 

[rogerthat]

The purpose is to keep people from accruing bonus points while hunting the unlimiteds. the easiest way for the dept to implement this was to make people acquire their licenses via the draw.

But let’s just keep letting people that drew a limited entry sheep tag accrue points during their waiting period….yeah that makes zero sense. Not surprising. I guess that’s my beef with it

 

[rogerthat]

You must list unlimited unit as your first choice (which I was told was the only way to burn or lose points was drawing 1st choice). Top right of page 36 of the regulations.

It doesn’t let you participate in the bonus point system so you can’t burn points. That’s my understanding anyway.

 

[rogerthat]

I was mostly interested in how the change was implemented and if there was a public comment period.

 

[cgasner1]

But let’s just keep letting people that drew a limited entry sheep tag accrue points during their waiting period….yeah that makes zero sense. Not surprising. I guess that’s my beef with it

The irony in all of it was from my understanding it wasn’t to protect the unlimiteds but more people didn’t find it fair someone could hunt the unlimited and have points to draw a tag later in life.