ON MO N TA N A 2016

OPVECI E RVI S ESEW

MONTANA M ONTANA D EPARTMENT O F FISH, WILDLIFE, A ND PA RKS 1420 East 6th Avenue • PO Box 200701 • Helena, MT 59620-0701 | 406-444-2535 • www.fwp.mt.gov NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE MONTANA’S OFFICIAL HUNTING REGULATIONS. USE IT ONLY AS A GUIDE. REFER TO THE STATE REGULATIONS WHEN APPLYING.

I

n this issue, we will only be covering Montana’s top deer and elk hunts. Montana prints several sets of regulations, covering all of the different species, and each has their own release dates as well as staggered application periods. In the April issue, we will cover the best moose, sheep, mountain goat, and antelope hunts the state has to offer. This will leave plenty of time for you to make the right decision before the application deadline. Montana’s regulations will be available for download online at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/ or by calling 406-444-2535. The nonresident General and Special deer and elk applications must be submitted online or postmarked by March 15th. P A P E R A P P L I CAT IONS : The application must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or submitted online at https://app.mt.gov/als/index/ index.html by March 15th.

106

ON L I N E A P P LICAT IONS : You may apply online for Montana’s big game tags. Applicants will need a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or debit card to apply, and a convenience fee of $1.25 plus approximately 2.5% of the total purchase will be added to the application fees. This is well worth it as it eliminates the chance of your application getting lost in the postal system, which can cause you to be rejected. You may apply online at https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html.

ELK AND DEER 2 016 M O N T A N A N O N - R E S I D E N T F E E S Conservation License (included in the combination license)

$10

Archery Stamp (mandatory for all archery hunts)

$10

Bonus Point Fee per Species (Optional)

$20

Youth Big Game Combination

$510.50

Come Home to Hunt Combination

$510.50

Big Game Combination

$1,001

Elk Combination

$851

Special Elk Permit

$9

Deer Combination

$597

Special Deer A Permit

$5

Wolf Permit (can purchase up to 5) AP P LICATION PAY MEN T: For paper applications, payment for the application and tag fees must be made by money order or cashier’s check payable to Montana FWP. No personal or company checks will be accepted. For online applications, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or debit are accepted. Whether applying online or on paper, tag fees must be paid for at the time of application. All refunds will be mailed to unsuccessful applicants in the form of a check. W IT HDRAW/AMEN DMEN T OF APPLICATION S: There is a withdraw form that will be available online. You must print it off and mail it back to the Montana FWP. You will forfeit your application fees, but the tag fee will be refunded. You

$50

MONTANA’S 2016 HUNTING SEASON DATES: Deer/Elk Archery Sept 3-Oct 16 Deer/Elk General Firearm Oct 22-Nov 27 Deer/Elk Archery Backcountry Sept 3-14 Deer/Elk Firearm Backcountry Sept 15-Nov 27 Backcountry Units: 150, 151, 280, and 316 There is no archery season in HD 316.

are not allowed to reapply after your application has been withdrawn. N ON -RESIDEN T TAG Q U O T A : Elk and deer non-resident applicants are

MONTANA 2016

allocated “up to” 10% of a unit’s quota, not guaranteed. If a non-resident applies for a deer or elk permit area that has less than a quota of 10, the application will not be considered for the drawing. DR A W O D D S : We have calculated the draw odds by dividing the number of non-resident applicants by 10% of the available tags, without respect to bonus points. SE Q UE N C E O F T H E D RAW : Everyone’s first choice is awarded before anyone’s second choice is considered. PA R T Y A P P L I C A T IONS : Party applications are available for elk and deer with a maximum party size of five. Bonus points will be averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number.

D RAW RESULTS: For deer and elk tags, draw results will be available mid-April. REF UNDS: Applicants who are successful in drawing a General tag will then be placed in the Special drawing. For Big Game Combination or Elk Combination licenses, you will be able to choose from the following, if unsuccessful in the Special drawing: keep your General Combination license to use on the general seasons, receive an 80% refund of the license, or, if drawn for a Big Game Combination license and unsuccessful in drawing a Special elk permit, elect to receive a $306 refund for the elk license and be issued a Deer Combination license to use for the general deer seasons. These options do not exist if you only apply for the Deer Combination license. If you successfully draw a Deer Combination

OVERV I E W

license but are unsuccessful in the Special drawing, you can still return your license for an 80% refund by August 1st or a 50% refund before the start of the general hunting season. PREFEREN CE POIN TS: Preference points are issued for the General Combination drawing. The Montana preference point system is voluntary and costs $50 for nonresidents. Seeing as Montana has not sold out of their General Combination licenses for several years, we discourage anyone from purchasing them as they are not needed. B ON US POIN TS: Bonus points will be issued for the Special deer and elk drawings. The Montana bonus point system is voluntary and costs $20 for nonresidents per species. Bonus points for deer and elk are squared in the

WILL SCHOTT

107

M O N TA N A 2016

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drawing. For example, if you have 3 bonus points, you will have 9 points in the drawing plus that year’s application, equaling 10 chances in the drawing. If unsuccessful, you will be awarded another point and will have 4 points going into next year’s drawing. You may skip two consecutive years of applying without losing your points. If you skip the third year or draw your first choice, your points go back to 0. Party applications will have their bonus points averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number. Bonus points are not used or lost in second and third choice drawings.

YOUTH APPREN TICE H UN TER PROGRAM: New in 2015, this is another opportunity for youth hunters, ages 10-17, to get out in the field hunting deer only prior to having taken hunter education. An apprentice hunter must be accompanied by a mentor who is at least 21 years of age. Apprentice hunters cannot apply for limited-entry draws. However, if you plan on hunting an unlimited unit, you must send an application to FWP headquarters. Contact the licensing department directly with any further questions.

L E F T O V E R L I CENS ES : Leftover General Combination licenses for deer and elk will go on sale within a week after the draw results have been posted. The licenses will be available online, through the mail, and at any Montana FWP office. All licenses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

YOUTH HUN TIN G OP P ORTUN ITIES: Youth ages 12-15 may harvest a cow elk with their elk license without having to draw a cow permit. Once again, the FWP Commission is allowing legally licensed hunters

10-15 years of age to hunt deer during the statewide two-day, youth-only deer season, which runs October 20-21. See the regulations for further information. HUN TER ORAN GE REQUIREMEN TS: Any person hunting or accompanying a hunter as an outfitter or guide must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange material above the waist that is visible at all times. WAITIN G PERIODS: There is no waiting period to apply if you have previously drawn an elk or a deer tag. ACCESS PROGRAM: Montana has a Block Management program, which is a cooperative program between private landowners and Montana FWP. Block Management

L A N D O W N E R T AGS : Montana landowners, residents and non-residents, may qualify for preference in the Special license/permit drawing for deer and elk. Landowners may designate a family member or employee to be placed in the draw for a tag. There is 15% of the limited draw tags set aside for landowners. H UN T E R E D UCAT ION R E Q UI R E ME NT S : Anyone born after January 1, 1985 must have taken a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license in Montana. In order to purchase an archery license, you must provide a certificate of completing a bowhunter education course or provide any prior year’s bowhunting permit from any other state, prior to applying. MI N I MUM A GE T O AP P LY A N D T O H UN T : An 11-year-old youth who will be 12 years old by January 16, 2017 may purchase a hunting license and apply for any drawing but cannot hunt until after August 15, 2016. 108

FOY WALKER WITH COTTONWOOD OUTFITTERS

MONTANA 2016

helps landowners manage hunting activities and provides the public with free hunting access to private land and sometimes to adjacent or isolated public lands. Currently, hunters can hunt about 7.3 million acres of private land for free. Program funding comes from the sale of various licenses. A regional Hunting Access Guide is published annually by August 15th, which lists the Block Management Areas enrolled for that year and explains how to gain access to them. Call 406-444-2602 for more information.

have no more than two barrels; and must only use plain lead projectiles. Sabots or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm are prohibited.

SU P E R T A G S : Chances are available for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, antelope, elk, deer, bison, and mountain lion. One Super Tag will be drawn for each species and can be used in any hunting district, including Montana’s most legendary trophy districts. Revenue from the Super Tag sales is used to enhance hunting access and boost FWP enforcement efforts. Unlimited Super Tag chances may be purchased at $5 each. Super Tag chances may be purchased online at https://app.mt.gov/als/index/ index.html.

H ARVEST REPORTIN G REQUIRE MEN TS: Montana does not have harvest reporting requirements for deer and elk.

P RI MI T I V E W E A P ON REST R I C T I O N S : For archery, your bow must meet all of the following requirements to be legal: must be handheld, must be at least 28" in length, and may have no more than 80% let-off. The arrow must meet all of the following requirements to be legal: must be at least 20" in length, the total arrow weight must be more than 300 grains, broadheads must weigh 70 grains or more and have two cutting edges, and expendables are legal if they expand to at least 7/8". The following equipment restrictions apply only to weapon restriction areas: muzzleloaders must not be capable of being loaded from the breech of the barrel; may not be loaded with any preprepared paper or metallic cartridges; must be charged with black powder, pyrodex, or an equivalent; must be ignited by a percussion, flintlock, matchlock, or wheellock mechanism; must be a minimum of .45 caliber; may

M AP S : Regular Montana BLM maps may be obtained by calling 406-896-5000. Other topographical maps may be obtained by calling the USGS at 406-329-3024.

W OLF U PDATES: As of February 16, 2016, there was a total of 186 wolves harvested in Montana. The wolf trapping season will end on February 28, 2016, and the wolf hunting season will end on March 15, 2016. We will cover the Montana wolf information in the October issue. If you plan on hunting elk in Montana, make sure you have a wolf tag in your pocket. That’s the best $50 you could spend. D ID YOU KN OW: •   Legally licensed hunters 10-15 years of age may hunt deer during the statewide two-day, youth-only deer season on October 20-21. •   There is no special season for

muzzleloader hunting in Montana, but muzzleloaders may be used during the general hunt. •   A crossbow may be used during

the general hunting season but not the archery season. •   Archery equipment with electronic

devices attached or with sights that use tritium or electronics are illegal. •   Trail cameras are illegal to use

during the hunting season.

OVERV I E W

•   Bowhunters must purchase a $10

archery stamp before applying for an archery only hunt. •   Two-way communication devices

may not be used to hunt big game in Montana. This rule does not prohibit the possession or use of two-way communication devices for safety or other legitimate purposes. COMMEN TS: Montana is known for having a complicated application process for non-residents. First, non-residents need to apply for one of the Big Game, Elk, or Deer Combination licenses in the general draw, and then they apply for special, limited-entry deer and/or elk permits, both of which are due by March 15th. For 2016, there will again be 17,000 Big Game Combination and Elk Combination tags and 4,600 Deer Combination tags. You should see leftover licenses available after the draw again this year. Over one-half of Montana is privately owned, which causes some major access issues in certain areas. It has been a huge limiting factor for a selfguided hunter to find a solid place to hunt. Something that Montana offers to help with private land access issues is the Block Management program, which is a cooperative effort among both private landowners and the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. They have a Regional Hunting Access Guide that lists lands enrolled in the program and should be available annually on August 15th. If you are a trophy mule deer hunter, we don’t recommend that you apply at this time as there are very few trophy bucks being harvested across the state. Although Montana is a great state to focus your efforts on hunting trophy bull elk, you will need to beat the odds and draw a limitedentry permit. If you are unsuccessful throughout the West, Montana’s General deer and elk tags are always a solid fallback to get an opportunity hunt under your belt.

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MONTANA DEER AND ELK UNITS

M O N T A N A E L K P O P U L A T I O N O B J E C T I V E S T A T U S 2 015

NOTE: THESE MAPS ARE FOR GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY. REFER 110

TO THE STATE PROCLAMATION FOR EXACT BOUNDARIES.

MONTANA 2016

ELK

MONTANA ELK

O

verall, Montana elk herds are doing great with many areas well over the population objectives. There are only a few exceptions on the western half of the state due to some major wolf predation issues. Montana is known more as an opportunity state for elk, but with its high elk population, there will always be a few giant bulls killed each fall. There are a few limited-entry units in the state that have the potential to produce great bulls. Most of these units are located on the eastern half of the state. On the General tag, the archery season is a hunter’s best opportunity to harvest a good bull. With a six-week archery season, you are able to hunt all phases of the elk rut. Almost all of the forest service lands in western Montana have good increasing populations. The best place to see a lot of elk and have a fun archery elk

hunt is on one of the few limited-entry archery only hunts along the Missouri River Breaks or the 900 permit. The country is fairly open with grassy draws, small canyons, and broken, pine-timbered terrain. Access is good; look at getting off the beaten path or using a boat and coming in off the river. This is one of our favorite ways to hunt the Missouri River Breaks for rutting bulls. Glass for elk early in the morning, bed them down, and then stalk in and try to slip an arrow in one while they are posted up in their bed. Wait for them to stand and send an arrow flying. This is not your typical elk terrain, which is made up of mainly open, broken country. Non-resident hunters who obtain a General license and are not successful in drawing a Special, limited-entry tag will still have options. The first option is that hunters may turn their General tag back in to the state for an 80%

refund, if done by August 1st, or a 50% refund before the general season starts. The second option you have is to elk hunt in one of the general units. Something to remember is that these general units are all overthe-counter licenses for residents. For more general elk hunting opportunities, refer to the Montana Opportunity section. Montana is a fun place to hunt elk, especially if you are a bowhunter. If you’re willing to put the time in and do a little research and then go out and hunt hard, you may find yourself hunting 260-320" bulls on a yearly basis. We work with some of the best outfitters in the state, so give us a call if you would like a good recommendation. Remember that if you end up without a hunt planned for the fall, Montana will most likely end up with leftover Big Game Combination licenses every year.

BRENDAN BURNS

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M O N TA N A 2016

ELK

M O N TA N A’ S T O P A R C H E R Y E L K H U N T S ( N O T I N O R D E R O F Q U A L I T Y )

112

Special Permit Hunt Code

2016 Archery Hunt Dates

Total # of Permits 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Draw Odds 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Comments

250-45

Sept 3Oct 16

25 25 25 25 40

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

28 19 10 11 17

West Fork. There is plenty of good access, but the country can be rugged and holds tons of remote areas. Made up primarily of public national forest lands. The elk population has been struggling to maintain quantity, but the overall bull quality has been starting to show in the last couple years, so it’s been added to the list. The archery hunt can be the best dates for killing a big herd bull, especially during the peak of the rut. Hunt those thick timbers and drainages that are not close to any roads. 280-330"+ bulls. 0 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

339-20

Sept 3Oct 16

60 60 60 60 60

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

10 17 14 12 12

Sleeping giant. Great access through several Block Management ranches and conservation easements. Not a lot of public land. There is some fairly accessible country with quite a bit of rugged wilderness areas. There is a rifle cow and spike elk hunt going on at the same time, which can make this a frustrating hunt. The best time to rifle hunt is on opening day before the elk start getting pushed around or onto non-accessible private land. Tag holders can archery hunt this unit. 280-330"+ bulls. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

380-20

Sept 3Oct 16

80 80 120 120 120

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

88 131 109 70 84

Elkhorn Mountains. This is still one of the best units in the state. There is tons of public land that offers excellent access. The area has a wide variety of land, starting out in mild foothills up to some remote and extremely rough terrain. For your best opportunity at harvesting a giant bull, look at hunting during the peak of the rut during the archery season. There will also be archery cow and spike elk hunts in the unit at the same time, which can make for a frustrating hunt. As the season progresses, most of the bigger bulls will be found on private land in the foothills. Having private access can help greatly. 350"+ bulls. 4 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

410-21

Sept 3Oct 16

1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

3 3 3 3 3

Missouri River Breaks — South. Valid in units 410 and 417. This is an archery only tag. Between the two units, there is a lot of area to cover and hunt. The unit is made up of roughly 50/50 public to private land. Fairly open, rolling sage hills, timbered ridges, and gumbo breaks make up most of the terrain in the unit. Physically an easy hunt. Access from the Missouri River via boat can help distance you from the crowd. If you can gain private access or hire an outfitter, it will give you a better chance at a bigger bull. Hunting pressure can be overwhelming with 1,900 other tag holders running around. Try getting off the road on a backpack style hunt or hitting the river via boat, anything to help distance you from the rest will greatly increase your odds of success. 280-340"+ bulls. 185 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

620-21

Sept 3Oct 16

1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

4 3 3 3 3

South Phillips. The northern side of the Missouri River Breaks. Valid in units 620, 621, and 622 but not valid on the CMR Refuge. This is an archery only tag. These combined units give you an enormous area to hunt and consist of mainly public BLM and state land with great access all throughout. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. Hunting pressure will be fairly high during archery season with 1,400 tags issued. Most hunters either hunt some of the bigger coulees toward the river or by boat up those drainages. 280-320"+ bulls. 125 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

631-21

Sept 3Oct 16

200 200 200 200 200

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

3 3 4 3 4

Lower Missouri River Breaks — West. Valid in units 630 and 631. This is an archery only tag. This relatively small unit consists roughly of 50% private land. There is still plenty of public land to have a good hunt, and you’re able to hunt on the CMR Refuge. Access is excellent. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. Low tag numbers make for an enjoyable hunt. You should focus your efforts on unit 631 since there will be a lot less hunting pressure. This can be a fast-paced hunt with some great rutting action. 280-320"+ bulls. 20 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

632-21

Sept 3Oct 16

100 100 100 100 100

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

4 3 3 4 5

Lower Missouri River Breaks — East. Valid in units 630 and 632. Located on the northern side of the Missouri River. This is an archery only tag. This unit is made up of almost all public BLM and state land, which includes the CMR Refuge. This is a great unit for a self-guided hunter looking for more mild terrain. Focus on the roadless country in unit 632 via backpack hunt, horses, and/or boat. Hunting pressure will be almost non-existent. 300-320"+ bulls. 10 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

690-21

Sept 3Oct 16

25 25 35 35 35

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

15 19 24 25 30

Bear Paw Mountains. Valid in units 680 and 690. One of the best units for trophy bull potential. This unit is known as one of the best archery hunts in the state. This is an archery only tag. This unit is made up of primarily private land, making access extremely difficult. Make sure to have private land access lined up before applying as most of the elk are found there. Plan on hiring an outfitter or paying a trespass fee. The unit is fairly mild, rolling, timbered foothills. Opening week and later in the season once the bulls begin to bachelor up will be your best bet at finding a giant. 350-370"+ bulls. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

798-21

Sept 3Oct 16

705 705 705 705 705

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

3 3 3 3 4

Missouri River Breaks — Prairie. Valid in unit 700. This is an archery only tag. This is an enormous unit which consists of quite a lot of private land, but there is enough public land to still have a good hunt. Boat access along the Missouri River can help the public hunter. This is a physically easy hunt. If you’re able to gain access to private land, you will see higher concentrations of elk and slightly better bull quality. Having a GPS with landownership is a must. Hunt during the peak of the rut and into October to find a better bull. 300-340"+ bulls with a few 350"+ bulls being harvested. 68 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

900-20

Sept 3Oct 16

New in 2013 3,700 3,700 3,700 3,700

New in 2013 1 in 2 1 in 2 1 in 2

Eastern Montana. Valid in units 401, 403, 411, 412, 426, 447, 450, 500, 502, part of 510, 511, part of 520, 530, 570, 575, part of 580, 590, part of 701, 702, 704, and 705. This is an archery only tag. All of these units are located on the eastern part of the state. Most of the units hold a ton of private land, making access very difficult. Hiring an outfitter can greatly increase your odds. There is still enough public land for a self-guided hunter, but having your GPS with landownership is a must. There are also several decent Block Management ranches that allow access. For the guy who is willing to do his research and work hard, this can be a great tag. In most units, you have a good opportunity at 280-320" bulls. Look at hunting in units 590, 704, and 705 for your best opportunity at a 350"+ bull. 357 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

MONTANA 2016

ELK

M O N TA N A’ S T O P R I F L E E L K H U N T S ( N O T I N O R D E R O F Q U A L I T Y ) Special Permit Hunt Code

2016 Rifle Hunt Dates

Total # of Permits 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Draw Odds 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Comments

250-45

Oct 22Nov 27

25 25 25 25 40

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

28 19 10 11 17

West Fork — There is plenty of good access, but the country can be rugged and holds tons of remote areas. Made up primarily of public national forest lands. The elk population has been struggling to maintain quantity, but the overall bull quality has been starting to show in the last couple years, so it’s been added to the list. Look into hunting opening week before the elk get a little pressure or late in the season when harsh weather pushes those bigger bulls out of hiding and on a regular feeding pattern again. 280-330"+ bulls. 0 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

339-20

Oct 22Nov 27

60 60 60 60 60

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

10 17 14 12 12

Sleeping giant. Great access through several Block Management ranches and conservation easements. Not a lot of public land. There is some fairly accessible country with quite a bit of rugged wilderness areas. There is a rifle cow and spike elk hunt going on at the same time, which can make this a frustrating hunt. The best time to rifle hunt is on opening day before the elk start getting pushed around or onto non-accessible private land. Tag holders can archery hunt this unit. 280-330"+ bulls. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

380-20

Oct 22Nov 27

80 80 120 120 120

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

88 131 109 70 84

Elkhorn Mountains. This is still one of the best units in the state. There is tons of public land that offers excellent access. The area has a wide variety of land, starting out in mild foothills up to some remote and extremely rough terrain. For your best opportunity at harvesting a giant bull, look at hunting during the peak of the rut during the archery season. There will also be archery cow and spike elk hunts in the unit at the same time, which can make for a frustrating hunt. As the season progresses, most of the bigger bulls will be found on private land in the foothills. Having private access can help greatly. 340-360"+ bulls. 4 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

410-20

Oct 22Nov 27

55 55 100 100 100

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

50 81 74 43 44

Missouri River Breaks — South. One of the best hunts in the state. The unit is made up of roughly 50/50 public to private land. Fairly open, rolling sage hills, timbered ridges, and gumbo breaks make up most of the terrain in the unit. Physically an easy hunt. Access from the Missouri River via boat can help distance you from the crowd. If you can gain private access or hire an outfitter, it will give you a better chance at a bigger bull. Hunt opening week to find those unpressured bulls or late in the season when the cold weather bachelors them up. There will be quite a bit of pressure from cow hunters, which can be frustrating. 320-350"+ bulls. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

411-20

Oct 22Nov 27

200 200 200 200 200

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

7 6 8 10 7

Snowy Mountains. Valid in units 411, 511, and 530. The unit consists of primarily private land but still has enough land for a public land hunter to get it done. The Big Snowies sit directly in the middle of these three units and hold almost all of the public land. Access will be limited to specific trailheads and Block Management ranches along the southern side. Made up of some rugged and remote wilderness country. Tough, physically demanding hunt. You will find higher concentrations of elk in the isolated Little Snowies, but access is nearly impossible unless you fly in. This is a fairly mild hunt made up of rolling, sparsely-timbered foothills and open grasslands. 320-340"+ bulls. 16 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

417-20

Oct 22Nov 27

100 100 100 100 100

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

9 11 10 7 9

Armells Creek. A majority of this unit consists of private land, which can cause some access issues as most of it is leased by outfitters. If you can gain private access or book with an outfitter, your chances of harvesting a better quality bull are good. There is still plenty of public land to hunt, and it is made up of mainly BLM and state ground. There is a solid mix of terrain, mainly consisting of big clay coulees and rolling breaks country with some sparse juniper pockets. 320-340"+ bulls. 8 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

RUSSELL CORBETT

M O N T A N A ’ S T O P 10 TROPHY ELK UNITS:

#1

|

Unit 380-20

#2

|

Unit 690-20



#3

|

Unit 690-21



#4

|

Unit 410-20



#5

|

Unit 590-20



#6

|

Unit 798-20



#7

|

Unit 799-20



#8

|

Unit 410-21



#9

|

Unit 798-21



#10

|

Unit 900-20 113

M O N TA N A 2016

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M O N TA N A’ S T O P R I F L E E L K H U N T S ( N O T I N O R D E R O F Q U A L I T Y )

114

(CONTINUED)

Special Permit Hunt Code

2016 Rifle Hunt Dates

Total # of Permits 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Draw Odds 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Comments

447-20

Oct 22Nov 27

75 75 75 75 75

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

10 13 13 15 16

Highwood Mountains. All of this unit’s public land is centrally located and completely surround by private land, making access very difficult. Most landowners require a trespass fee. There are a few forest service trailheads for access and several Block Management ranches available to hunt. Hunting with horses can greatly improve your odds of finding a better bull by getting off the beaten path. The unit is pretty rugged and has a lot of roadless country. This is a physically demanding hunt. Look at hunting late in the season for the best opportunity at finding a giant wintering bull. 300-320"+ bulls with a few 350"+ bulls. 4 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

455-20

Oct 22Nov 27

65 65 65 65 65

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

7 11 11 10 11

Beartooth Wildlife Management Area. They added 15 tags back to the quota this year. All public land, but access is limited to non-motorized traffic. This is a backcountry backpack style or horseback hunt. This can be a very weather-dependent hunt. The worse the weather, the better the elk hunting will be as they pile into the winter range. You will have to cover some miles and look over a lot of average bulls trying to find a bigger bull. 260-320"+ bulls with a few bigger bulls available. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

590-20

Oct 22Nov 27

200 200 200 200 200

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

5 6 6 7 7

Bull Mountains. The unit is made up of private land, and access is extremely difficult, mostly because all of it is leased by outfitters. This is a hunt where an outfitter or private access is required. Elk populations are well over objective, and overall bull quality is on the rise, continually producing some bigger bulls. The terrain is fairly mild, made up of rolling, sparsely-timbered foothills. Hunting can be good all season as long as the elk stay on land you’re able to hunt. Elk tend to be fairly nomadic in this unit. 300-340" bulls with a few 350"+ bulls. 14 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

620-20

Oct 22Nov 27

60 45 45 50 50

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

18 30 24 22 21

South Phillips. The northern side of the Missouri River Breaks. Valid in units 620, 621, and 622, but not valid on the CMR Refuge. Rifle hunt only with no archery option included with this tag. These combined units give you an enormous area to hunt and consist of mainly public BLM and state land with great access all throughout. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. 300-330"+ bulls. 5 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

621-20

Oct 22Nov 27

50 50 50 50 50

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

16 30 35 27 36

Upper Missouri River Breaks — West. The northern side of the Missouri River Breaks. Only valid in unit 621. This is for the rifle hunt only with no archery option included. The unit is made up of completely public land, which includes the CMR Refuge. This is a self-guided hunter’s dream in some of the easiest country available. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. 300-330"+ bulls. 3 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

622-20

Oct 22Nov 27

30 30 30 30 30

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

17 102 77 43 41

Middle Missouri River Breaks. The northern side of the Missouri River Breaks. Only valid in unit 622. Rifle hunt only with no archery option included with this tag. The unit is made up of roughly 50% private land, although you can hunt the CMR Refuge and other BLM and state chunks. Some people use the river via boat to access. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. 300-330" bulls. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

631-20

Oct 22Nov 27

30 30 30 30 30

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

10 34 56 24 17

Lower Missouri River Breaks — West. Valid in units 630 and 631. This is for the rifle hunt only with no archery option included. Low tag numbers make for an enjoyable hunt. This relatively small unit consists roughly of 50% private land. There is still plenty of public land to have a good hunt, and you’re able to hunt on the CMR Refuge. Access is excellent. The unit has a large mix of terrain, consisting of sage and natural grass flats into rolling breaks country. This is an easy physically demanding hunt. 300-330" bulls. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

632-20

Oct 22Nov 27

10 10 10 10 10

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

36 95 110 60 112

Lower Missouri River Breaks — East. Valid in units 630 and 632. Located on the northern side of the Missouri River. Rifle hunt only with no archery option included with this tag. This unit is made up of almost all public BLM and state land, which includes the CMR Refuge. Focus on the roadless country in unit 632 via backpack hunt, horses, and/or boat. Hunting pressure will be non-existent. 320-340"+ bulls. 0 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

690-20

Oct 22Nov 27

30 30 35 35 35

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

31 63 58 58 59

Bear Paw Mountains. Valid in units 680 and 690. One of the best units for trophy bull potential. This is for the rifle hunt only with no archery option included. The unit is made up of primarily private land, making access extremely difficult. Make sure to have private land access lined up before applying as most of the elk are found there. Plan on hiring an outfitter or paying a trespass fee. The unit is fairly mild rolling, timbered foothills. Opening week and later in the season once the bulls begin to bachelor up will be your best bet at finding a giant. 350-370"+ bulls. 3 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

798-20

Oct 22Nov 27

250 250 250 250 250

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

15 19 15 17 18

Missouri River Breaks — Prairie. Valid in unit 700. This is an enormous unit which consists of quite a lot of private land, but there is enough public land to still have a good hunt. Boat access along the Missouri River can help the public hunter. This is a physically easy hunt. If you’re able to gain access to private land, you will see higher concentrations of elk and slightly better bull quality. Having your GPS with landownership is a must. Look at hunting the first week of the season for unpressured bulls and the last two weeks for wintering bachelored bulls. Tag holders may also archery hunt this unit. 300-340"+ bulls with a few 350"+ bulls being harvested each fall. 20 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

799-20

Oct 22Nov 27

175 175 175 175 225

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

21 44 42 34 33

Pine Hills. Valid in units 702, 704, and 705. These combined units make up a massive chunk of land, but it is made up of mostly private land and access can prove difficult. However, there are still a couple of good chunks of public land, mainly in the Custer National Forest. A lot of the bigger bulls are found on the private land. Hiring an outfitter or gaining access before you apply can help increase your odds of success, especially on a giant bull. Easy hunting in open, rolling country. 320-330"+ bulls with a few 360"+ bulls available with private access. 14 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

MONTANA 2016

DEER

MONTANA DEER

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ontana deer herds are finally showing improvement, but they still have a long way to go before we see the numbers like they once were. This year, the FWP added quite a few mule deer doe tags in many of the units across the state. Since they are still in recovery mode, we do not believe this was the right decision and they could use a few extra years to help with a more prominent rebound. This year, the rifle season dates will once again encompass the entire rut, starting October 22-November 27, and the archery season will run September

3-October 16. Some of the best bucks will continue to come from units 261 and 270, which are considered the state’s top limited-entry units. Look at hunting the mountainous regions of western Montana. The areas are thick and rugged, but they always seem to produce a few trophy bucks. Don’t overlook the eastern half of the state this year. We work with some great outfitters on the eastern portion of the state that have been very successful for 170 class bucks, so be sure to contact us if you’re looking to go on a guided mule deer hunt in Montana. It is a great place for a non-trophy hunter, especially if you are not dead set on a 180" buck.

The key to hunting whitetail is private land. Montana’s Block Management program offers some excellent access to properties that hold good numbers of whitetails. The other option is to hunt the mountainous regions of western Montana. It is tough hunting in steep, heavily-timbered country, but hunters harvest some great bucks there. With the exception of unit 455-60, whitetails can be hunted across the rest of the state with the General license. Do a little research before you travel to Montana for a whitetail hunt as a lot of areas have been affected by die-offs.

NOTE: THE DEER AND ELK PERMIT NUMBERS WE HAVE LISTED MATCH WHAT IS LISTED IN THEIR 2016 NON-RESIDENT APPLICATION BOOKLET. THEY ARE ONLY PROPOSED UNTIL THE COMMISSION CAN MEET IN APRIL. ASHLEY SKILLESTAD WHITETAIL DEER

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M O N TA N A 2016

DEER

M O N TA N A’ S T O P D E E R H U N T S ( N O T I N O R D E R O F Q U A L I T Y )

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Special Permit Hunt Code

2016 Rifle Hunt Dates

# of Permits 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Draw Odds 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Comments: Whitetail hunters can use their General deer tag to hunt any of these units, with the exception of unit 455-50 where they may only hunt during the archery season.

210-50

Oct 22Nov 27

50 50 50 50 50

1 1 1 1 1

5 10 10 10 12

John Long Range. Archery and rifle options. There is a good mix of public to private land, with a large portion of public land in the northwest corner that offers great access. There are several Block Management ranches that can help with access. Private land can make access difficult in some spots and can prove to be frustrating seeing as most of the bigger bucks are located there. 150-160"+ bucks. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

240-50

Oct 1Nov 27

25 25 25 25 25

New in 2012 1 in 1 1 in 1 1 in 4 1 in 2

West Bitterroot. Only valid in the wilderness area in unit 240. Rifle only option. The unit is completely made up of public land and offers excellent access through its many trailheads and trail systems. Made up of several big, steep, and rugged wilderness creek drainages. This can be a very tough, physically demanding hunt. A backcountry backpack style hunt is recommended. Pick several drainages and start hiking. With deer densities super low, your best bet is to cover as much country as possible. If we can get some harsh weather moving in, it can help tremendously with pushing those bucks down and starting some rutting activity. 150-160"+ bucks with an occasional 180"+ buck. 0 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

250-50

Oct 22Nov 27

85 85 40 40 25

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

5 4 7 15 8

West Fork of the Bitterroot. Rifle and archery options. The unit is made up of almost all national forest public land that has great access. The unit is fairly rugged with some great roadless areas and is heavily timbered with a few clear-cuts. They lowered the tag quota by 15 permits this year, which should help with producing better quality bucks. The extension of the season has helped, giving you the ability to hunt bucks in the rut. 150-160" bucks. 3 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

261-50

Oct 22Nov 27

25 25 25 25 40

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

27 49 69 78 131

East Bitterroot. Rifle and archery options. This is still ranked as one of the best hunts in the state. It’s about 50/50 public to private land. On the public land, there is some decent access, limited to several roads and trailheads. A large majority of the better bucks hole up in the valley among the farmlands. During the archery season, focus on the agricultural fields and orchards. Gaining access or hiring an outfitter can help with locating a giant. 170-190"+ bucks with bigger bucks available. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

270-50

Oct 22Nov 27

45 45 45 45 60

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

200 203 157 170 178

East Fork of the Bitterroot. Rifle and archery options. This unit had just started showing improvements in overall quality, but the FWP decided to add 15 more permits to the quota. This should have a negative impact on the quality comeback. Plan on passing on a ton of beautiful younger bucks, trying to find that monster. Most years, archery season can be a great time to pattern a monster. If you’re willing to hold out, the last 10 days of the season can be phenomenal. 160-180"+ bucks. 3 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

291-50

Oct 22Nov 27

100 100 30 30 30

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

6 6 7 17 26

East Garnet Range. Archery and rifle options. Youth hunters ages 11-15 can apply for a special youth-only hunt in this unit. The hunt code for the youth hunt is 291-51. This unit consists of mainly private land but offers some access to public land. However, a majority of the bigger bucks are found on private land. Look at some of the Block Management land for additional access. With the continued low tag numbers, bucks will continue to get some age on them. 140-160"+ bucks with a few 180" bucks available. 0 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

300-50

Oct 22Nov 27

30 30 30 30 30

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

41 51 45 49 44

Lima Peaks. Archery and rifle options. The unit is mainly made up of national forest, BLM, and state land that offers great access. Some private land, but it shouldn’t hinder the hunt. The terrain is made up of rugged, open grass and sage-covered mountains. It can be a very physically demanding hunt. Tag numbers are still low, making for a fun hunt; however, there are still quite a few general elk hunters running around, which adds to the pressure. 140-160"+ potential. 2 nonresident tags issued in 2015.

312-50

Oct 22Nov 27

75 75 75 75 75

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

6 7 7 7 7

West Bridger. Valid only east of Springhill Rocky Mountain road. Archery and rifle options. Private land makes up a majority of the unit, and this can cause access to be extremely difficult. Most of the deer live on private land and/or will migrate to private land with any sort of weather or pressure. It can be frustrating and very difficult to find quality bucks on public land. 150-160"+ bucks. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

in in in in in

PETE CONGDON WITH CHANNEL OUTFITTERS

TOM SIMPSON WITH CHANNEL OUTFITTERS

MONTANA 2016

DEER

M O N TA N A’ S T O P D E E R H U N T S ( N O T I N O R D E R O F Q U A L I T Y ) ( C O N T I N U E D ) Special Permit Hunt Code

2016 Rifle Hunt Dates

# of Permits 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Draw Odds 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Comments: Whitetail hunters can use their General deer tag to hunt any of these units, with the exception of unit 455-50 where they may only hunt during the archery season.

324-50

Oct 22Nov 27

25 25 25 25 25

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

63 88 56 69 69

Snow Crest Range. Archery and rifle options. The unit is completely made up of public land with great access throughout the entire unit. The unit is made up of rugged and roadless mountains. You will find most of the deer hanging out toward the top of the Snow Crest Mountains. A backpack or horseback type hunt will help increase your odds of success. Archery season can be a great time to harvest a quality buck; they will be in the few high alpine basins, making them easier to pattern. Holding out until the weather gets bad, kicking the rut on, brings those bigger bucks out of hiding. Elk hunting pressure is very high. 150-160"+ bucks. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2015.

441-50

Nov 7Nov 27

50 50 50 35 35

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

8 13 10 17 14

North Fork of Birch Creek. Archery and rifle options. The unit is primarily made up of private land, although there is still plenty of public land that offers limited but good access. General rifle hunters will hunt the whole unit until November 7th, and then they can only hunt the national forest. Block Management offers some excellent access to trophy quality bucks. 150-160"+ bucks. If you’re willing to hold out through some brutally cold weather, you’ll have a fair chance at a 180"+ buck. 2 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

455-60

Oct 22Nov 27

30 30 30 30 30

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

20 18 28 22 31

Beartooth Wildlife Management Area. Archery and rifle options. The hunt takes place in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, which offers excellent public access. This unit is made up of big, steep, open grass and sage-covered mountains. A backpack style hunt or having access to horses can greatly improve your odds of harvesting either a trophy mule deer or whitetail. 150-160"+ for mule deer and 140"+ for Whitetail. 3 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

652-50

Oct 22Nov 27

50 50 50 50 50

1 1 1 1 1

in in in in in

24 32 30 35 46

McCone-Garfield. Made up of all public BLM and state land with excellent access. The unit consists of open, rolling sage country. After a major winter kill a few years back, this unit has shown some major improvements this last year with a few better bucks being seen and harvested. Deer numbers are low but improving. 150-160"+ bucks. 5 non-resident tags issued in 2015.

STEVE CARLSON WITH MONTANA OUTWEST OUTFITTERS

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M O N TA N A 2016

O P P ORT UNI T Y HUNT S

MONTANA OPPORTUNITY HUNTS PROCEED WITH CAUTION – THESE HUNTS ARE NOT TROPHY HUNTS

T

here are not enough trophy tags available to satisfy everyone’s hunting desires. With that being said, here are a few opportunity type hunts to fill your hunt schedule with, if needed. For 2016, we are researching big game hunts that have reasonable access, decent success, and offer a hunter the opportunity to take a mature animal. Keep in mind that these are not trophy type hunts, they just offer another chance to spend time with family and friends in the mountains and give you an opportunity to put meat in the freezer. Montana offers excellent opportunity for a hunter to hunt both elk and deer on a General license. Since raising the price on their license, the FWP has struggled to sell out of Big Game Combination licenses. This practically makes them over-the-counter licenses once they go on sale as leftovers. For 2016, you will again see a small increase on license fees across the board. The Big Game Combination license allows you to hunt deer and elk in any unit in the state that isn’t considered a limitedentry unit, giving you almost endless options, considering almost the entire state consists of general units. Another awesome aspect to the General license is that you don’t have to choose a weapon; you can hunt both the archery and rifle seasons, not to mention the seasons are long, giving you six weeks for archery and five weeks for rifle. That’s an ample amount of time to figure it out and get it done. You now have the opportunity to hunt multiple species during completely different phases all the way through the season. For a hunter who is willing to do a little research and work hard, this can turn into an exciting and fun hunt with some trophy potential.

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Located on the western side of the state are several mountain ranges

that offer both great opportunity and access to public lands for deer and elk. The archery season can offer better opportunity in the northern regions of the state due to the thickness of the timber and lay of the land, while rifle hunting can be tougher and very weather-dependent in a lot of units across the state. One of the most popular hunts is within the Bob Marshall Wilderness, but keep in mind that this is a total wilderness experience and is not for the faint of heart. This hunt takes some serious time and preparation and is your typical horseback style hunt. The Bob is vast and offers great opportunity for hunting early archery elk followed by an early rifle hunt that puts you chasing rutting bulls starting September 15th. The overall mule deer population is doing well, and quality is showing over the past couple of years. The Cabinet Mountains and the mountains that make up the Idaho border in the Panhandle region offer up quite a bit of public land with excellent access. These areas are as rugged, steep, and thick as it gets anywhere in western Montana. There is potential for bigger bucks and bulls, but you’re going to have to earn them. The Welcome Creek Wilderness in the Bitterroot Valley can produce some great archery elk hunting. These areas had been struggling to make a comeback, but numbers are steadily increasing and some better bulls are being produced. Don’t overlook several of the mountain ranges in the southwest corner of the state, such as the Gravelly, Snowcrest, and Greenhorn ranges. They have tons of public land with great access. Elk numbers are among the highest in the state. The archery hunting can be phenomenal at times, but pressure can be overwhelming, and the rifle season is also no exception.

However, if you get some deep snow and cold weather, the hunting can get awesome with the elk migrating to lower country. Montana mule deer were struggling to make a comeback, but this past season there were quite a few good reports of hunters seeing a few more mature bucks. That’s a great sign, and we have high hopes for the 2016 season. The FWP is now offering hunters the chance to pick up extra mule deer doe tags in many of the units out east. This will more than likely hinder further population growth. If you are planning on hunting eastern Montana, plan your hunt during the rut, typically the last two weeks of the season. The Missouri River Breaks and Custer National Forests are extremely popular. This hunt gets a lot of pressure during the rifle season, but if you’re willing to work a little, this can be a very exciting hunt and a good possibility of harvesting a trophy quality buck. Better bucks will be found if you’re willing to get off the beaten path. If you’re looking to hunt whitetails, look to the northwest corner of the state. This is not your typical river bottom whitetail country, but populations are booming and quality is there. The country is mountainous, thick, and steep, so it can prove difficult to get in longer steady shots. Focus on the Kootenai, Flathead, Lolo, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge national forests. Some true giants are harvested each and every season. Plan on hunting late November during the peak of the rut for your best chance at a giant buck. Eastern Montana is finally bouncing back from the massive EHD outbreak they had a couple years ago. There is still great hunting in other parts of eastern Montana, although private access is the name of the game out there.