Can non-resident cow elk tags be purchased for Montana

[PA stickbow boy]

I'd love to go Elk hunting and shoot and elk with my Silvertip recurve. A cow elk would be perfectly fine. Can cow elk tags be bought by non-residents in Montana?  I tried looking at Montana Game and Fish's website and I'm having a hard time understanding it.  I'd like to hunt cow elk in September when you can hunt bulls. Looking at outfitters websites, it seems the cow elk hunts are late season. I would like to hunt them early when they aren't all spooked up. Instead of hanging antlers on a wall, a tanned hide rug would work too.

[tim roberts]

Nonresidents can buy an additional anterless elk tag after they draw an "A" tag.  A few years ago a friend thought he found an exception to this, but if I remember correctly it didn't pan out.
While there is little doubt, Montana is the last best place, but if you are looking to hunt elk, and are not to picky about what you may get an opportunity at, Utah, has over the counter archery elk tags for nonresidents.
Thanks,

[PA stickbow boy]

Thanks Tim.  Seems Montana is pretty tough for a non-resident.  I have some friends out there and thought I could kill a visit and hunt with one trip.

[JimB]

You first have to find what unit you would want to hunt in and check the regs for that individual unit.Keep in mind,there aren't as many non-residents applying the last few years and odds are much better than in the past.

In most units,when bow season comes in,you can take either a cow elk or a brow tined bull-no spikes.You just have to check the individual unit regs.Draw the elk tag,you can hunt bow or rifle season.In quite a few units,even in rifle season,you can shoot either sex(1 elk)without a cow tag.

[calgarychef]

Can you tell me if a nonresident has to be an American citizen or could a Canadian buy a nonres tag?

[Bill Turner]

Calgarychef:

As long as you don't live in Montana you should be classified a non-resident. If they will let you cross the Canadian border you should be good to go.  

[Exit Felix]

Yes, you can purchase an archery OTC cow elk tag (a la carte) in MT.  I purchased one in 2010 when I hunted in the West Yellowstone area.  I stopped at the first sporting goods store I saw, walked in, and got it.  It cost around $325.  The catch is that they will only be valid for certain units, but you can figure that out ahead of time.  Call any sporting goods store between Bozeman and West Yellowstone and they'll tell you all about it.

[Montanawidower]

There are surplus non resident general elk tags this year that are OTC.  You can use them to hunt cows nearly statewide .  Also gives you the option at a bull if the situation arises.

[PA stickbow boy]

Thanks,  I'll talk to my friend an maybe I can get something set up for next year.  Thanks for the info!!  This site is great.

[Montanawidower]

PA Stickbow boy,

Remember Murphy.. if you set out to hunt a cow, you will only see bulls in range.  Happens all the time in rifle season.  

Jeff

[Frank V]

Originally posted by Montanawidower:
PA Stickbow boy,

Remember Murphy.. if you set out to hunt a cow, you will only see bulls in range.  Happens all the time in rifle season.  

Jeff

       
Boy you are correct there!!!    It works the other way too. If it's browtine bulls guess where the Cows will be????   :cool:  
Frank

[eflanders]

Originally posted by Montanawidower:
There are surplus non resident general elk tags this year that are OTC.  You can use them to hunt cows nearly statewide .  Also gives you the option at a bull if the situation arises.

If I understood things correctly the above situation applies only to the 2012 season.  The non-resident rules for the 2013 season have yet to be determined.  It has been rumored that Montana wants more non-resident hunters though and thus may ease up the costs and restrictions accordingly.  Let's all keep our fingers crossed!

[Montanawidower]

Eflanders,

Yep you're right about the those tags being for 2012.  As for changes for next year... It will be interesting to see.

[LKH]

I believe MT law limits how many non-resident tags may be issued.  What happened this year was a combo of too high a price, too many wolves, and cutting back the number of non-residents who can hunt elk in the central part of the state.

[PA stickbow boy]

Jeff.... that whole Murphy's Law thing is EXACTLY what I said! hahaha