Premium Content

Become an Insider member to gain access to this article,
plus all of GOHUNT's research and mapping tools.

Learn more about Insider

APPLICATION STRATEGY 2021: Montana Antelope

MONTANA'S 2021 ANTELOPE APPLICATION OVERVIEW

Jump to: State Information Draw System Antelope Breakdown Points Breakdown

The application deadline for Montana antelope is June 1, 2021 at 11:45 p.m MST. The application process is done completely online here or at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Montana FWP) office.


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.

State Profile Antelope Profile Draw Odds Filtering 2.0 goHUNT MAPS

Important dates and information

  • Applications for antelope must be submitted by 11:45 p.m. MST on June 1, 2021.
  • Applications can be submitted online here.
  • An 80% refund can be requested on nonresident licenses if requested by Aug. 1, 2021.
  • A 50% refund can be requested on nonresident licenses if requested after Aug. 1, 2021.
  • Draw results for the 900 Series tag are slated to be available by mid-June 2021.
  • Draw results for the general tag are slated to be available by early August 2021.
  • Surplus licenses are available for purchase in early to mid-August.
  • When applying for the 900-20 archery permit, you must list this as your first and only choice. In previous years, the 900-20 permit could be listed as a second choice option.

Drought status

2021

Montana drought status as of April 2021

Montana drought monitor status as of April 13, 2021. Source: US Drought Monitor

2020

Montana drought status as of April 2020

Montana drought monitor status from April 21, 2020. Source: US Drought Monitor

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 — both preference and bonus — 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 bonus points work?

Montana runs solely on a bonus point system via a random lottery drawing for antelope. A few years ago, Montana began squaring each applicant's points in an effort to weight 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. 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.


Montana's 2021 antelope breakdown

While Montana is often overshadowed by the big buck producing states of Wyoming, Arizona and Nevada, the simple fact is that Montana offers an insane amount of opportunity along with a healthy density of good mature bucks. Really, the biggest choice an applicant will initially face when considering antelope in Montana is deciding upon their weapon of choice. The 900 Series archery only tag is good nearly statewide and allows hunters to hit the field nearly three weeks ahead of the general tag holders. Hunters who are primarily interested in rifle hunting will see far greater restrictions on available hunting areas with each permit along with lower drawing odds in general. When you really start breaking down antelope in the Big Sky State, research becomes that much more important. 

Ten year harvest trends for Montana antelope

YearBucks killedDoes/fawns killedTotal
20118,4084,56810,156
20126,6983,45810,156
20135,4802,6928,172
20146,0296988,726
20157,7733,11510,891
20169,7894,14913,939
201710,1624,38914,552
20189,9863,84413,830
20199,3933,52513,118
202010,4404,55414,994

Montana antelope bucks taken

Current antelope herd condition

Overall, antelope populations in Montana have had a great few years and the winter of 2020/21 is shaping up nicely. Springtime moisture has been good so far this year and is expected to continue for the time being. Anyone holding a tag in 20201 should be in for a great hunt!

Montana antelope population trends*

YearEstimated population
201190,389
2012100,631
2013110,225
2014121,696
2015138,288
2016159,215
2017157,965
2018136,762
2019159,923

*2020 data not yet available

If you're a visual person, check out the graphic below.

Montana antelope population trends - updated 2021

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.

2021 Montana antelope season dates

SeasonDate
900 series archery onlyAug. 15 to Nov. 14
General archerySept. 4 to Oct. 8
General rifleOct. 9 to Nov. 14

The 900 series archery only

We’ve mentioned this tag a few times already, but it really deserves its own section to really break down the greatness here for archery hunters. Applicants who successfully draw the 900 series tag will have access to every single unit in the state with the exception of 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 zero points for both residents and nonresidents. Quite honestly, if an archery hunt is what you are after, the 900 series tag is a no-brainer.

The 700 series any legal weapon permit

Every season, Region 7 (HD 701, 702, 703, 704 and 705) accounts for the largest portion of the yearly statewide antelope harvest. The 700 Series permit (2021 hunt code: 007-20) is valid in all of these districts found in Region 7 and is an exceptional tag for anyone to consider. Hunters will find lots of private land here as well as hunters; however, the sheer amount of antelope and size of the units does somewhat negate these cons. Hunters willing to research public land opportunities and who are willing to put in the sweat equity can find some of the best hunting in the state in these areas.

This tag can generally be drawn by residents with one to two points while nonresidents will generally need five plus points. Still, with Montana’s random lottery, there is always a chance to draw at zero points.

Individual hunting districts

Beyond the 700 and 900 Series tags, the final option for hunters to apply for will be the remaining individual hunting district tags. These tags are only good in their specified areas and cannot be used in any other part of the state. While not always the case, these areas generally have lighter hunting pressure and a more mature age class. For some hunters, these can be great permits to look at as additional opportunities to supplement a deer or elk hunt already planned in the area.


How to uncover hidden gem antelope districts

While there are certainly some areas that are better than others, the simple fact is that nearly every district in the state can produce mature antelope. Utilize Filtering 2.0 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.

Really, from a research standpoint, Montana is a great state for planning an antelope adventure. Trophy potentials are fairly level across the board, statewide harvest statistics are high and there are plenty of opportunities available to those willing to work. Because Montana is such a large state, unit selection for some may merely boil down to proximity from cities while others may be simply looking for the highest odds of filling a tag.

Top units for harvest success on Montana antelope in 2020*

HDTrophy
potential
Harvest
success
Bucks killedPublic
land %
35070"+100%4778%
33970"+100%15115%
67070"+98%30429%
34065"+83%5011%
31370"+83%956%
70280"+82%25312%
65070"+81%33418%
70580”+80%1,22930%
50175"+77%18715%
40480”+76%26610%

*Montana FWP does not differentiate between hunter success for archery or rifle as well as bucks or does.

Managing points and expectations

With the number of hunt options and the relatively high draw odds, having a sound application strategy can mean the difference between hunting every one to three years or spinning your wheels on wasted opportunities in the draw. In the following section, here are some realistic options for hunters at various point levels and how to best use your points and time.

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.

Essentially, the biggest initial decision will lie with weapon selection.

Montana antelope bonus points after the 2020 draw

Montana resident antelope bonus points after the 2020 draw

Montana nonresident antelope bonus points after the 2020 draw

I have 0 antelope bonus 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.

At this point level, the 700 series permit — good in 700, 701, 702, 703, 704 and 705 — is accessible to residents within a few points and there’s still a decent chance for nonresidents. If location is not a high priority when choosing where to start your antelope hunt, then this is an excellent option to look at. The highest populations of antelope will be found here as well as the highest density of record buck locations.

Find your resident antelope draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident antelope draw odds with 0 points here

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 tag was at a respectable 98% odds in 2020 at five points.

Find your resident antelope draw odds with 4 points here

Find your nonresident antelope draw odds with 4 points here

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.

Find your resident antelope draw odds with 8 points here

Find your nonresident antelope draw odds with 8 points here

Comments

Everything you need for next season: maps, hunt strategies, filtering, and more
Save 25% on Select Sitka Gear
Hunt Planner is now live!