Last chance drawing to pick up a 2019 Montana nonresident deer combo tag
Similar to past years, if you badly want a to hunt deer in Montana and didn't draw a license in the main draw... you have an option. So all hope is not lost because you have a slight chance to pull a tag. Today, May 15, Montana opened up their 2019 Nonresident Alternate List that runs from May 15 through June 30. The alternate list is used for nonresident combination licenses that were returned. You can sign up for the alternate list here and see the exact steps to walk you through the process below.
Montana will not have a Big Game Combo (elk and deer) alternates list for 2019. Nonresidents will only be able to apply for the General Deer Combo. The general deer combination license is valid for general hunting districts only and enables a nonresident the ability to hunt during the archery season and the general rifle season.
Montana is giving preference in the alternate list to people who applied correctly in the 2019 draw and were unsuccessful. No payment will be collected at the time of entering in your name for the alternate list. Being on the list, or obtaining a license from the list has no impact on your existing nonresident preference points.
Once the alternate list application deadline has closed, you'll be assigned a number and a random drawing of all the names will be conducted. Starting in early July, you can check your position on the alternate list after the drawing takes place. In 2018, the alternate list results came out on July 2.
The odds of getting a license can change throughout the season. Hunters turning back in their tags for a refund and the state reissuing these deer combo licenses may occur at any time, but the volume of returned licenses normally increases before the general rifle hunting season kicks off in late October.
Below you'll find the step-by-step process to apply for the 2019 Montana alternate list. Note: when filling out your alternate list application, the day you register does not matter.
Log into your MyFWP account page here.
Once you're logged in, select the "Combination License Alternate List" tab.
Next, select the alternate list license type that you'd like to sign up for. As mentioned above, for 2019, the only alternate list option available is the General - Deer Combo. This license allows you to hunt the general deer districts in Montana. More information on these hunt districts can be found on Filtering by clicking on the links below:
After you made your selection and clicked Register, you'll get a message letting you know that your choice is final if you confirm and cannot be changed. If you're happy with this selection, click "Confirm."
After those simple steps, you'll now see the following screenshot on your MyFWP page after you've successfully completed the 2019 alternate list registration.
Let the waiting game begin. Starting in early July, you'll be able to check your position on the alternate list after the drawing takes place.
The cost of picking up a returned combination license is the same as the cost during the regular draw.
I'll keep this article updated as the summer progresses on any new information and will let everyone know when you can see your number after the drawing has taken place. Best of luck picking up an alternate list tag in 2019!
2019 Deer Combination license cost is roughly $639 (deer only)
