Montana Tag Confusion Help

[Airborne1]

So I have hunted Montana as a nonres for a few years, and I have always applied for the general tag, and a permit but it was a 100% permit draw unit, so every year I got a tag. This year my in law is going and he wanted the big game combo (deer and elk) which is a draw with only 4600 deer tags and the elk tag draws from the 17000 given out each year. So here's the question because I cannot find a answer anywhere in the regulations...
If he DOES NOT draw the big game combo (deer and elk) will he still get the elk tag as a general unit tag? (Provided there is not 17000 tags sold, otherwise if all tags are sold, I understand that neither of us have a chance at not getting a elk tag)
The unit we are hunting is a general unit, so no permit required.
Has anyone applied for the big game combo and been unsuccessful? What happens?
Some clarification would be greatly helpful!

 

[Ross]

Yes and got my money back but had not applied for any special permits

 

[Airborne1]

Your saying, if he does not get the big game combination, he will not be hunting elk this year...
Why wouldn't they then place you in for a general elk tag? They would be loosing their money if they don't place you in with the general elk tag.
in 2018, 7,747 people with zero points applied for the big game, 3,970 were awarded it, 51.25% success. (These numbers provided from GoHunt, MT website seems to lack statistics)
So the other 3,777 people who wanted the big game combination that did not get drawn for it will not have a tag for elk either....this seems wrong.

 

[bruno59]

If he puts in for deer/elk combo there is 17000 available if he does not draw he is not hunting the 4600 deer tags are a separate draw

 

[Airborne1]

Ok so he can get the elk tag in the 17000 draw still. Perfect. Thank you

 

[StopMakingSense]

Ok so he can get the elk tag in the 17000 draw still. Perfect. Thank you

Let me try and spell out, you can only choose one of three combo tags...

Big Game Combo or the Elk Combo - 17,000 total tags by statute for NR
Deer Combo - 4,600 total tags by statute for NR

If your friend with 0 preference points applied to the big game combo, last year it was a 51.25% chance to draw the tag. If he's unlucky and doesn't beat the odds (they get worse every year) he will not have an elk tag, don't pass go.

From there, his only chance is to grab an elk tag in the leftover (returned tags) which goes on sale at 5am MST, September 11th was last years date. I was able to grab one logging in at 4:59am, a few notes on this...

- Putting a tag in your cart does not reserve that tag for you.
- Have all of your information ready to go, I mean literally, have a word doc opened with your credit card etc and copy and paste it all
- Know the process like the back of your hand

Anyways, that's my advice on getting a general elk tag in big sky country.

 

[Airborne1]

Let me try and spell out, you can only choose one of three combo tags...

Big Game Combo or the Elk Combo - 17,000 total tags by statute for NR
Deer Combo - 4,600 total tags by statute for NR

If your friend with 0 preference points applied to the big game combo, last year it was a 51.25% chance to draw the tag. If he's unlucky and doesn't beat the odds (they get worse every year) he will not have an elk tag, don't pass go.

From there, his only chance is to grab an elk tag in the leftover (returned tags) which goes on sale at 5am MST, September 11th was last years date. I was able to grab one logging in at 4:59am, a few notes on this...

- Putting a tag in your cart does not reserve that tag for you.
- Have all of your information ready to go, I mean literally, have a word doc opened with your credit card etc and copy and paste it all
- Know the process like the back of your hand

Anyways, that's my advice on getting a general elk tag in big sky country.

That is very helpful bad news, thank you.

 

[CDS8034]

Good question. I also have been trying to figure Montana out. So if the elk combo and big game combo for NR both come out of the 17000 tags, selecting the big game combo instead of the elk combo will not decrease your odds of drawing a general tag? Or if I am primarily concerned about getting an elk tag, will my draw odds improve if I choose the elk combo vs the big game combo? TIA

 

[jmez]

It will greatly decrease your chances if you apply for the big game combo. There are only 4600 of those tags available, there are 12,400 elk combo tags once the.derr/elk tags are removed.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Airborne1]

It would be really nice for them to add some sentence in the regulations stating something along the lines of "if not drawn for a big game combination license, you are not eligible for any general license" I mean regulations don't have to be so confusing.

 

[hobbes]

You are eligible, but only as a leftover and the odds aren't too good for that.

 

[CDS8034]

Ok, thank you for clarifying!

 

[netman]

I got a headache yesterday trying to apply for Montana. I went to bed and woke up with a clearer mind. This was a very good question with great answers. Thanks

 

[StopMakingSense]

It will greatly decrease your chances if you apply for the big game combo. There are only 4600 of those tags available, there are 12,400 elk combo tags once the.derr/elk tags are removed.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

Where did you read that 4,600/12,400?

 

[Airborne1]

Where did you read that 4,600/12,400?

He took the 17000 NR big game and elk combo tags minus 4600 NR deer tags and it leaves 12,400.
But I don't think all 4600 tags are just for big game combo drawing. The 4600 deer tags should include deer drawing tags as well. I am probably wrong but that's what I was thinking.

 

[jmez]

That is what I did ^^^. You are correct Airborne, but it still greatly lessens your chances if you apply for the Deer/Elk combo.

 

[Airborne1]

Yeah i see that, but not knowing that information for my in law prior to applying is what caused all this.
Maybe he will be lucky and beat the odds. I have never worried about trying to get the deer tag, trying to shoot just a elk alone is enough work.

 

[stagliano]

I had to read this thread twice before I sorted it out. I've always just applied for the Big Game Combo with mixed success.

 

[stagliano]

It would be really nice for them to add some sentence in the regulations stating something along the lines of "if not drawn for a big game combination license, you are not eligible for any general license" I mean regulations don't have to be so confusing.

I've had a few discussions with the licence agents in Helena and they have been very helpful.

 

[Airborne1]

I am currently on hold trying to talk to someone at the licensing department to ask a few questions.
What questions did you have for them? Who knows how long i will be on hold.