Montana Antelope Draw Waiting

[FLHunter87]

Is almost here. I really hope i get drawn. Have 3 points and bonus points for 3 straight years. Really hoping this is enough.

 

[WormSportsman]

Yep, it’s always a nice surprise when you draw and have no tags or throws a wrench in your Fall if you have multiple tags already. Always one of my favorite hunts either way though!

 

[Tradchef]

They are the best. I am 0-6 in tags this year with Antelope still waiting. I'm hoping for the nice surprise.

 

[FLHunter87]

They are the best. I am 0-6 in tags this year with Antelope still waiting. I'm hoping for the nice surprise.

Man thats rough. I have have this one tag to draw. What area are you trying for?

 

[Grundy53]

I'm in with 7 points. Still not even close to a sure thing.

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[FLHunter87]

I'm in with 7 points. Still not even close to a sure thing.

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I tight you can only have 3 points max for Montana? How do you have 7?

 

[Grundy53]

I tight you can only have 3 points max for Montana? How do you have 7?

The 3 point max is only for deer and elk general tags.

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[Erict]

I tight you can only have 3 points max for Montana? How do you have 7?

You need to learn the difference between Bonus and Preference Points at THIS MT FWP webpage.

 

[Tradchef]

Man thats rough. I have have this one tag to draw. What area are you trying for?

For lopes the lady and I put in for Geraldine and I draw that every other year most times and I put in for 700 for the doe/fawn tag. Never hunted out there before but have driven through it a bunch for work. I drew Big Timber last year and fortunately I work with some ranchers out there for my business so I did a trade to hunt. That section had almost no public land to hunt and since it's turned into a pretty big money area you either have to pay insane daily trespass fees or go through the LandTrust organization it seemed. Great hunt, and I would do it again for a business trade but I like having the options of all the public land if possible. Fingers crossed as I've been rationing out my last bit of meat from last fall. I drew a pile of tags last year and filled all but one so I'm due for some humble pie this season. So far it will be the regular OTC and some whitetail doe tags.

 

[FLHunter87]

You need to learn the difference between Bonus and Preference Points at THIS MT FWP webpage.

I know the difference now. I knew that. Mix up lol. The area I'm putting in for is 85% draw rate with 3 bonus points. So, yes as a non resident I do not actually have any preference points for the other big game animals. But pending how and when I do the outfitter trip I may start preference points for Elk.

 

[FLHunter87]

I'm in with 7 points. Still not even close to a sure thing.

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What area are you trying for?

 

[downthepipe]

It’s pretty nuts how long we have to wait for this one!!!!

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

Fingers crossed!


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[Legend]

It’s pretty nuts how long we have to wait for this one!!!!

True. BUT.....I know biologists who are in the air this week conducting surveys. And they are making changes in the qouta based on these surveys.

So it's a bummer to wait but it is being done in the interest of the population.

 

[Dust Rider]

We always anticipate the first week of August!

 

[suda0402]

Hopefully by next Friday

 

[Axlrod]

It’s pretty nuts how long we have to wait for this one!!!!

Up until about 20 years ago, Mt used to do all big game drawings the 3rd week of Aug and then mail them. With some tags you had a week or two notice.
One time I was on an Antelope damage hunt list. I received a notification letter and a tag in the mail the day before Thanksgiving. The hunt started on Thanksgiving and ran 4 days.

 

[FLHunter87]

Anyone been in the 576 area?

 

[MTHunt’r]

Here’s to hoping. Put in for and buck. Are most of you non-res?


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[Erict]

It’s pretty nuts how long we have to wait for this one!!!!

Antelope drawing date determined by wildlife surveys​

Jul 23, 2025 3:12 PM

The drawing for resident and nonresident antelope licenses will happen during the first week of August. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sometimes gets asked why this drawing happens so late in the year compared to other species.

The simple answer is that FWP uses this information to provide quick adjustments to quotas so that hunting opportunities closely reflect antelope availability.

A month or more after fawning in early May, antelope congregate in larger groups, which makes them much easier to find and classify. FWP biologists conduct aerial surveys in July to achieve sex and age ratios and index abundance. Surveys are best conducted early morning and late in the day with sunny and clear skies when antelope are easier to spot.

Data from these surveys provide justification for adjusting license quotas for the drawings. Antelope surveys are completed, quotas are adjusted, and the drawing occurs within about three weeks.

Survey data is also used later in the year to guide decisions by the Legislature, FWP Commission, other organizations with wildlife interests and governmental agencies.

Survey and inventory of antelope allow FWP to monitor trends in wildlife populations to help make management decisions in real time that affect population abundance, wildlife conflicts, hunting and harvest opportunity, habitat management decisions, and other recreational opportunities for diverse user groups. Wildlife survey and inventory is an important part of FWP’s mission.

To check antelope drawing results, go to fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/antelope.