Montana Antelope

Joined
Jan 9, 2017
Messages
83
I have 3 points in Montana for antelope and don’t know what I should do. Are the herds in sw Montana doing okay after last winter? Or would it be better to just keep buying points instead of trying my luck in the draw for 2024?
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
14
We saw decent numbers in the eastern part of the state. I don’t know the actual numbers, just my observations. The numbers have been down in the west the last few years and last winter certainly didn’t help. There is certainly some opportunity and so far this winter has been overall mild so hopefully that gives them a little bit of a break.
 

Bead

FNG
Joined
Mar 16, 2024
Messages
13
SW part of the state had very low numbers from what I saw last year compared to 2022. Winter has been mild for the most part this year, hoping for a recovery and some better numbers for 2024
 

Luis

FNG
Joined
Apr 25, 2022
Messages
20
Location
Big Sky Country
Last year I saw several groups of does without a single buck in eastern MT. It took a lot of driving and glassing to find a buck. After 4 days, I saw a 12 inch buck, the other three bucks I saw were much smaller. I don't hunt private land, maybe there were some on private ground.
 

mainman38

FNG
Joined
Jun 28, 2017
Messages
21
Location
OR
I have 3 points in Montana for antelope and don’t know what I should do. Are the herds in sw Montana doing okay after last winter? Or would it be better to just keep buying points instead of trying my luck in the draw for 2024?
Saw plenty of antelope this November with some decent bucks
 

Article 4

WKR
Joined
Mar 4, 2019
Messages
638
Location
The Great Northwest
They are out there for sure, the biologist survey should be out soon...always good to watch for their report.
Was a pretty mild winter this year, relatively. Numbers should be good
 
Joined
Apr 4, 2024
Messages
20
I live closer to central MT than truly southwest, but I have been seeing what I would consider to be fairly good numbers of goats in our area. I usually drive and glass for goats about once a week and have not seen anything to suggest that the biologists' surveys in our area will come back with any concerning data. That being said, we don't have any bucks around here that a guy should spend 3 points on.
 
OP
I
Joined
Jan 9, 2017
Messages
83
They are out there for sure, the biologist survey should be out soon...always good to watch for their report.
Was a pretty mild winter this year, relatively. Numbers should be good
Where would I be able to find this report?
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2024
Messages
75
I put in for non-resident antelope in Montana this year. It's the first time I have ever applied for anything other than resident Virginia elk. I know I cannot reasonably expect to draw this year, but I am hoping for beginner's luck. The reason I put in for Montana is that I have a friend who lives out there who wants me to come out to shoot upland birds. I figured I might as well try for antelope too this year.
 
Joined
Apr 4, 2024
Messages
20
I put in for non-resident antelope in Montana this year. It's the first time I have ever applied for anything other than resident Virginia elk. I know I cannot reasonably expect to draw this year, but I am hoping for beginner's luck. The reason I put in for Montana is that I have a friend who lives out there who wants me to come out to shoot upland birds. I figured I might as well try for antelope too this year.
Good luck. Hunting goats is a blast.
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
2,845
My antelope app says not successful. Had 5 bonus pts and did not draw the 900-20 archery only tag.

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Last edited:
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
2,845
That’s rough
It's OK. I've been spending money like a drunk sailor this year, and will be better off staying home and saving my pennies up for something next year. I was just surprised because looking at draw info from last year it seemed like a slam dunk.
 
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