Application Strategy 2024: Montana moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bison

Montana's 2024 bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, and bison application overview

The application deadline for Montana moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat and bison is May 1, 2024 at 11:45 p.m MT. The application process is done completely online here or in any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) office.

The list of available hunt codes for each species that nonresidents can apply for changes every year. A detailed breakdown of 2024 hunt choices can be found in each of the species sections.

New Or Noteworthy For This Year

Insider Features

Hunt Planner

To aid in your research and planning efforts, we created a brand new tool for Insiders called Hunt Planner. This tool will help you be more efficient at planning for hunts and also keeps all your research data organized. No more notepads getting lost or headaches when trying to remember what units caught your eye during your research! Everything you need is always in one place at GOHUNT.

What can you do in Hunt Planner?

Point Tracker

Point Tracker allows you to enter the number of points you have for each state and species and, as you research through Filtering and Draw Odds, your point total will automatically be highlighted. Learn more about Point Tracker here.

STATE INFORMATION

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

Important dates and information

THE MONTANA DRAW SYSTEM

Understanding the draw

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. As a prerequisite, residents and nonresidents must at least possess a base hunting license before applying. The cost for the base hunting license is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.

Nonresident tag allocation

Montana grants nonresidents up to 10% of a district’s tag quota; however, the 10% is not guaranteed. Some years, the nonresident applicant pool will fill the entire 10% cap and other years it can be significantly less.

Points only option

If applicants are simply looking to build points for the current year — both preference and bonus — they can skip the expensive application prerequisites. Bonus points can be purchased between July 1 and Sept. 30 for $75 per species.

Bison hunts

Unlike moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, the bison permits in Montana do not use a point system and are distributed entirely through a random draw.

How do my bonus points work?

Montana runs solely on a bonus point system via a random lottery drawing. During the drawing, points are squared to give a better chance of drawing to those with more points. For example, during the squaring, applicants with two points will have four total entries, applicants with five points will have 25, and so on. Points purchased at the time of application are applied to the current application. Each year a hunter buys a point, it will be added to their tally to be used during the draw. Once a tag is successfully drawn, the applicant forfeits their points. Points may only be used on first choice tags and cannot be transferred. Bison is the only animal on the list that does not use bonus points.

Rotating season schedule and nonresident draw odds

The list of hunts available for nonresidents to apply for changes every year for Montana moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Some units will be available year after year — primarily those with high tag numbers — however, it is entirely possible for an applicant to apply for a hunt this year and have it not be an option the next. This small caveat can turn into a big deal if you apply for an unavailable unit. Hunters will need to be acutely aware of these changes. A detailed breakdown of available hunts for 2024 is provided for each species below.

Because of this rotation, there will be years where there will be gaps in draw odds data  for nonresident applicants. When researching for the upcoming application, you may notice errors on some hunts that state, “This hunt does not have odds available for your selected residency.” This is simply indicating that this particular hunt was not available to nonresidents during the previous draw cycle.

Montana's 2024 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Breakdown

When it comes to bighorn sheep, Montana has no rival when it comes to the size and quantity of big rams that the state can produce. Bighorn sheep are found in a wide array of terrain types from rugged mountains to broken sage country. As with all other bighorn sheep states, the odds on the hunts are dismally steep, but with Montana’s draw system, there is always a chance of drawing a permit — even with zero points. Additionally, for those with an impatient attitude and an appetite for adventure, Montana offers five hunting districts with guaranteed bighorn sheep permits; you simply need to apply to get the tag. These unlimited districts are considered among the hardest tags in the lower 48 to fill and hunters will be met with impossibly rugged country, brutal hunting conditions and low bighorn sheep numbers. The payoff? The adventure of a lifetime.

Current herd condition

Herd health continues to do good in Montana thanks to excellent management although the state has reduced tags in recent years due to some die-off and pneumonia out-breaks. With a fairly average winter in Montana, bighorn sheep herds should be in for another great year.

Montana’s unlimited sheep units

A common thread of discussion around social media and hunting forums is the unlimited districts (300, 303, 500, 501, 502) in Montana. These five districts give out an unlimited number of tags every year and the hunts are conducted on a quota system. Once a harvest quota for a certain unit is met, the unit will close to all bighorn sheep hunting 48 hours later. During the 48-hour period, hunters are still allowed to hunt and harvest bighorn sheep and some units do occasionally see a higher actual harvest than what the quota called for.

While these hunts sound like a dream come true it is important to remember that these tags are often considered some of the hardest to fill in North America. The country is enormous, extremely remote and bighorn sheep densities are low. Generally, trophy potentials are also low (130” to 160”), but rams nearing the 180” mark can and have been killed.

When applying for unlimited districts, it is important to note that the hunt must be listed as your first choice. If you choose to participate in the bonus point program during your application, you will lose all of your accumulated points once the permit is drawn. Instead, choose to not participate in points so you can draw the tag without it affecting your point count. By doing so, you will also be ineligible to build a point for that year.

2022 vs 2023 Unlimited comparison

2024 nonresident bighorn sheep permits

Every year, the available districts for nonresidents to apply for bighorn sheep will change, which means that the district you apply for this year may or may not be available to apply for the following year.

Selecting your unit of choice

When it comes to building your application strategy for Montana bighorn sheep, there is really only one secret: there isn’t one. Montana is such a high profile state for bighorn sheep and odds for every hunt at every point level are drastically stacked against you. Still, with Montana’s straightforward draw system, there is always a sliver of hope in pulling a permit — even if just starting out.

The biggest rams in the state have most consistently been found in the units in and around the Missouri River Breaks (482, 620, 622 and 680). These units generally see the most applicants and the lowest odds; however, they do offer the most permits for both residents and nonresidents.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Really, when it comes to applying for bighorn sheep, the unfortunate truth is that even with maximum points, the odds are still incredibly steep with less than 2% to 3% separating all of the units. When beginning your application strategy for Montana, your best bet is to simply pick a unit to your liking and just keep rolling the dice every year. With Montana running a modified lottery system, there is always an opportunity to draw.

Nonresidents will need to pay special attention from year to year as the list of available units is rotated. The unit you applied for previously may not be available in 2024.

Note: The above bonus point totals only include people who applied in the draw and not those who purchased points only.

Montana's 2024 Moose Breakdown

Montana has long stood as one of the better Shiras states of the West although populations have been on a slight decline in recent years. Trophy potential is not quite what it was in historical terms, but some great bulls in the 40”+ range are taken here every year. As with other western moose tags, draw odds are incredibly steep; however, anyone lucky enough to draw a tag will be in for the hunt of a lifetime. For 2024, Montana has added moose HDt 700 as a brand new hunt. This is located in the southeast corner of the state and is a completely new opportunity for this area.

Current herd condition

Moose populations continue to decline in many of the western states. The extreme western edge of Montana has seen one of the biggest declines for the state. Still, anyone holding a tag can be in for a great hunt and mature bulls can still be found.

2024 nonresident moose permits

Every year, the available districts for nonresidents to apply for moose will change, which means that the district you apply for this year may or may not be available to apply for the following year.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

When it comes to applying for moose in Montana, applicants won’t see a lot of hope at low point levels. However, once an applicant reaches the 10+ point level, a few hunts begin to jump out with better odds. When beginning your application strategy for Montana, your best bet is to simply pick a unit to your liking and just keep rolling the dice every year. With Montana running a modified lottery system, there is always an opportunity to draw.

Nonresidents will need to pay special attention from year to year as the list of available units is rotated. The unit you applied for previously may not be available in 2024.

Note: The above bonus point totals only include people who applied in the draw and not those who purchased points only.

Montana's 2024 Rocky Mountain goat breakdown

This is, perhaps, one of the most adventure-inducing hunts in the West. Rocky Mountain goats live in some of the roughest country in Montana. Some hunts can provide easier access into goat habitat while others will provide a far more in-depth backcountry experience. Draw odds for mountain goats tend to be slightly higher than for moose and bighorn sheep; however, hunters will still definitely be in for a potentially long wait.

*FWP did not collect specific billy and nanny harvest data in 2013.

Current herd condition

Tag numbers took a big hit several years ago, but have somewhat leveled since, and herds are holding steady. This 2023/24 winter has been “normal” by historical standards and anyone holding a tag in 2024 should be in for a great hunt.

2024 nonresident Rocky Mountain goat permits

Every year, the available districts for nonresidents to apply for Rocky Mountain goat will change, which means that the district you apply for this year may or may not be available to apply for the following year.

MANAGING POINT AND EXPECTATIONS

Draw odds for residents are great once they get around the 10-point level and up. Nonresidents will still struggle even at maximum points; however, odds here are still competitive with any other western state. Generally speaking, the best odds will be found in the districts handing out the most tags (313, 314, 316, 323 and 329) and these can be great routes for lower point holders to consider. When beginning your application strategy for Montana, your best bet is to simply pick a unit to your liking and just keep rolling the dice every year. With Montana running a modified lottery system, there is always an opportunity to draw.

Nonresidents will need to pay special attention from year to year as the list of available units is rotated. The unit you applied for previously may not be available in 2024.

Note: The above bonus point totals only include people who applied in the draw and not those who purchased points only.

Montana's 2024 Bison Breakdown

Bison is one of the more unique opportunities in Montana. The bison hunt is centered around herds from Yellowstone National Park that migrate outside of the park boundaries during the winter months. Because hunters are so heavily reliant on the bison leaving park boundaries, the weather is the biggest controlling factor for harvest success. During periods of light snow, very few bison will leave the park and, consequently, very few hunters will be given any opportunity.

Bison tags can be obtained in one of two ways: a permit tag or a roster hunt. With the permit, hunt tags will be distributed through a drawing like all of the other species in Montana. One caveat to bison is that there are no bonus points available for the species and all of the drawings are conducted through an entirely random lottery. Roster hunts are used primarily for population control during years where a heavy migration is occurring. After selecting a permit to apply for, hunters will be given the opportunity to also apply for a roster hunt. Hunters applying for a roster position will be assigned a random number and then placed into numerical order. When an excess number of bison have left Yellowstone National Park, MFWP will begin calling hunters from the roster, starting with the number one position and so forth for each hunter’s opportunity.

During periods of the bison hunt, there may also be state tribal members taking part in a treaty hunt. These tribal members can, at times, hunt in areas otherwise closed to permit holders and there is no quota cap for tribal members. The quotas set forth by FWP do not include any animals taken by state tribal members though bison taken during treaty hunts can dictate closures and possible sanctions imposed on permit holder hunts.

Current herd condition

Bison herds continue to do very well in this area with officials within Yellowstone conducting roundups yearly to reduce animal numbers. Brucellosis continues to be a growing concern and has further created a rift between local ranchers and conservation efforts outside of the park. Brucellosis among bison is thought to infect over 50% of the population in the park although there has never been a recorded case where the disease was spread to domestic cattle from bison.

Montana bison hunts breakdown

With three hunt options for residents and two for nonresidents, hunters will not find any overlooked or hidden gem areas. Instead, hunters need to simply hope the random lottery system works in their favor and that their name is pulled out of the hat first.

MANAGING POINTS AND EXPECTATIONS

With Montana utilizing a strict lottery system for bison, your odds of drawing a tag will never get better; however, they will also never get worse. The best strategy here is to simply pick a district and begin applying. The odds are long for both residents and nonresidents alike, but with the current drawing system, you could draw a tag at any time.