Hornetoad326
FNG
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2014
- Messages
- 38
Going to be hunting 501 wondering if any one on here has attempted this hunt with any kind of success .
Anyone can go in and hunt 501, right?
Not me. But a Montana Unlimited hunt is on my bucket list! I read a Duncan Gilchrist book that had some chapters on the unlimited hunts.
If you can keep us updated on the process and hunt that'd be awesome!
Good luck!
The unlimited units are not OTC, you have to apply for them first choice in the regular Big 3 drawing. If you are not a resident by the drawing deadline you'll have to enter as a NR and pay the extra moolah.
I know that in years past that you still had to apply for them as first choice in the drawing, but I think that may have changed this year. Here is straight out of the regs.
"- Unlimited Licenses - Unlimited bighorn sheep licenses have no limit on the number of licenses sold and may be available from License Providers, including FWP Online Licensing, or the hunter has the option of applying by the May 1 deadline through the drawing process."
Also,
"-- 501 Beartooth Mountains --
Unlimited Bighorn Sheep License. Purchase
or apply by May 1.
501-60: over the counter
• Sept 15 - Nov 30 - Legal ram Bighorn Sheep.
Harvest quota = 3.*
* Any person harvesting a Bighorn Sheep in this Hunting District must personally call the Harvest Reporting Line at 1-877-FWP-WILD (397-9453) or (406) 444-0356 within 48 hours of the kill. For Quota Status call 1-800-385-7826 or (406) 444-1989."
Reading that without talking to anyone from FWP I'd guess and say that you can purchase them OTC up until May 1st.
That said, I've never personally tried the unlimited tags so I don't know for fact, I always put in for a limited tag, so maybe I'm missing something?? Not in any way wanting or trying to to argue just trying to help...... like Clarktar said the MT regs are a pain in the ass, and I've lived here my whole life!
One other note for the original poster..... the guy I know that killed the book ram spent years and years in there looking before he found one he decided to take, and I know there are a couple drainages he finally decided to just flat out avoid because of the Griz problems. The guy hunts sheep every year between Alaska and Montana and between, so he has a lot of experience dealing with them, but there were at least 2 drainages he just got tired of playing with the bears in.
Which unit did he hunt, was it 501? I have been told the grizz are pretty much thick thru all 5 units.
Bow is another story.