New Or Noteworthy For This Year

Montana's Antelope Breakdown

Note: ​​The application deadline for Montana antelope is June 1, 2024 at 11:45 p.m MT. The application process is done completely online here or at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) office.

A very popular hunt for many applicants is the rifle hunt that is valid for all Region 7 hunting districts (HD): 700, 701, 702, 703, 704 and 705. For 2024, this tag has been split into two separate tags and applicants will want to pay close attention to this when applying.

STATE INFORMATION

View important information and an overview of the Montana rules/regulations, the draw system, SuperTags, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map on our Montana State Profile. You can also view the Montana Antelope Profile to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

THE MONTANA DRAW SYSTEM

It is important to understand the draw system before you begin. You can find a complete explanation of the drawing process along with important dates and fees in our Montana State Profile. All of the antelope tags for Montana are distributed through drawings, although some B licenses can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) for specific tag holders.

Nonresident tag allocation

In Montana, nonresident applicants are awarded up to 10% of a district’s permits. The 10% quota is not a guarantee, though, and it is possible for residents to be drawn for every permit in a hunting district before a nonresident's name is pulled out of the hat.

Hunt choice selection and bonus points

One key fact that hunters should consider is that while all antelope hunt choices must be submitted on the same application, the 900 Series archery only permit has its own set of bonus points that are separate from the standard antelope pool.

If applying for the 900 Series tag, applicants must list this as their first and only choice.

Points only option

If applicants are simply looking to build points for the current year they can skip the expensive application prerequisites. Bonus points can be purchased between July 1 and Sept. 30 for $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. When purchasing points only during the points only period, an applicant does not need to purchase any prerequisite licenses.

How do my bonus points work in the drawing?

Montana runs solely on a bonus point system via a random lottery drawing for antelope. Montana squares each applicant's points in an effort to weigh the draws in the odds of those individuals possessing the most points. Two points become four, five points become 25 and so on. Points are earned after an applicant is unsuccessful in drawing his or her preferred tag. Points cost $2 for residents and $20 for nonresidents when purchased during the draw. Each year a hunter is unsuccessful, another point will be added to their tally to be used during the next year. Once a tag is successfully drawn, the applicant forfeits their points. Points may only be used on first choice tags and cannot be transferred. Any points purchased while submitting your application will be applied to the current app. As an example, if you have zero points now, but elect to purchase a point while applying this year, you will enter the draw with one point. 

Montana often gets overshadowed by some of the big buck hotspots like Wyoming, Arizona and Nevada. However, the truth is, Montana boasts a wealth of opportunities and a healthy population of mature bucks. One of the first decisions applicants will grapple with when considering antelope hunting in Montana is selecting their weapon of choice. The 900 Series archery only tag covers almost the entire state, granting hunters the advantage of hitting the field nearly three weeks earlier than general tag holders. For those inclined towards rifle hunting, the landscape changes significantly with more restricted permits and generally lower drawing odds. Delving deeper into antelope hunting in Montana highlights the importance of thorough research when applying.

Current antelope herd condition

After the rough 2022/2023 winter, there was a decline in antelope numbers along some portions of the state. This winter has been relatively normal for most of Montana, though, and fawn recruitment and overall herd health should be good going into 2024. 

The hunt choices

While the tag breakdown for Montana antelope can be confusing at first glance, I’ve found that breaking the options down into three categories can make unit or tag selection much easier.

The 900 Series archery only permit

Applicants who successfully draw the 900 Series tag will have access to every single unit in the state with the exception of Hunting Districts (HD) 215, 291 and 313. With this permit, the season begins a full three weeks ahead of the general archery season and allows the first crack at larger bucks for the year. Excellent spot and stalk or ground blind opportunities are available. The best part? This tag can be drawn with a small handful of points for both residents and nonresidents. Quite honestly, if an archery hunt is what you are after, then the 900 Series tag is a no-brainer.

Regular any legal weapon hunts

The regular any legal weapon hunts allow hunting with a rifle or with a bow after a successful applicant has also purchased a bow and arrow license. The tag numbers for these hunts are much more limited and generally lead to less pressure overall, but it just depends on the area. These tags are only good in their specified areas and cannot be used in any other part of the state. Most of these will be specific to a certain unit. 

HOW TO UNCOVER HIDDEN GEM ANTELOPE DISTRICTS

Although certain regions may outshine others, it remains true that nearly every district in the state holds the potential for mature antelope. Utilize Filtering and manipulate the Trophy Potential to display the districts that have a legitimate chance at bucks that score 75” Boone & Crockett (B&C) or better. Customize your search and click on a specific district to access the Unit Profile in order to gain the greatest resource available to thoroughly learn an area. Our Montana Antelope Species Profile is another great way to determine other districts and regions of the state to consider.

From a research perspective, Montana stands out as an excellent choice for plotting an antelope adventure. Trophy potentials remain consistently robust statewide, backed by impressive harvest statistics, and abundant opportunities await those ready to put in the effort. Given Montana's vast expanse, unit selection may vary—some prioritize proximity to cities while others seek areas with the highest chances of tagging a trophy.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Given the array of hunting possibilities and favorable draw odds, devising a solid application strategy can determine whether you find yourself hunting every one to three years or missing out on valuable draw opportunities. In the subsequent section, we'll explore practical options for hunters at different point levels and offer guidance on maximizing your points and time effectively.

When looking at Montana antelope, it is important to note that there are essentially three different point options available: the 900 Series archery only point, the general tag point and the antelope B license (doe/fawn) point. Hunters can apply for either the 900 Series archery tag or a general tag, but not both.

I have 0 points, what can I expect?

At the beginning point of your application strategy in Montana, it will be important to first establish whether you wish to hunt with a bow or rifle. For archery hunters, the 900 Series archery tag is an absolute must have. Not only does this open hunting opportunities up at an earlier time in the season, but it also carries phenomenal draw odds and can be used nearly statewide.

Those looking to hunt with a rifle will have very few options with great odds; however, with the way Montana’s tag system works, there is always a chance to draw at any point level. The 700 Series tags (007-21 and 007-20) will generally be some of the most sought after options and the highest number of antelope killed each year come from those tags. 

What can I expect with 4 to 5 antelope bonus points?

At this point level, residents will see good odds of drawing for nearly 75% of the state’s available districts. Nonresidents will see good odds in several units and could easily land a good hunt. The 700 Series rifle permit will still likely be among your best bets.

What can I expect with 8 plus antelope bonus points?

Applicants at this point level — both residents and nonresidents — are holding more points than 95% of the applicants in the state and can draw nearly any available tag. The important thing to keep in mind is that while some areas have historically produced larger antelope than others, the overall trophy potential of the state is fairly even. Carrying points in Montana — while necessary for some hunts — can be an easy way to waste your time and money, too. Don’t overlook the fact that some of the state’s largest bucks come off the easiest to draw hunts.