Last minute CO MT hunt ??

[stuffisgood]

A couple of my friends have headed out to MT in the last week for a job that should last for the next couple months. They are trying to talk me into driving out for a hunt while they are there, which I have no problem with as long as there are tags to be had. I have looked at the MT fish and game website, but it looks like the tags for everything are gone. I was hoping to find some over the counter tags available, but the website keeps confusing/frustrating me. Things aren't near this confusing in MO, no drawings, regions, quotas, etc. Just buy a tag and hunt.

Can anyone that is more familiar with this system tell me if there are any hunting opportunities left for a non resident? I'd be driving through CO and KS on the way, and wouldn't be opposed to hunting elsewhere if that's where I can get tags. I honestly haven't checked into the other states yet...

Thanks for any help, this "hunt west" bug is finally getting the best of me

 

[Mobuck]

I think CO general rifle season buck/bull tags are over the counter. Just buying a tag and going hunting w/o some sort of plan will result in low success. I worked in the Arkansas River valley through the summer of 2010 so a friend and I applied and drew muzzleloader cow elk tags. I spent most every weekend walking, scouting, and schmoozing everyone I could contact. I was confident that we were in the right place but 8 days later, we had not seen a live elk(in the area we could hunt anyway). Close is not good enough-you've got to know or have help who knows. The accessible spots fill up fast into a sea of orange.

 

[stuffisgood]

The main reason for originally choosing MT was because they are working for a survey crew that is checking property lines of some of the large ranch(s). In doing so the two of them are essentially scouting all day. It's not specifically elk that I'm after either. Mule deer, antelope, etc. I'm just looking forward to pursuing something other than whitetail and coyotes as far as "large mammals" are concerned.

I understand that I should really wait for next season, get into a drawing, and do it right. But I'm not going to turn this season down if I can make it work.

 

[RJTravel]

I was in a spt goods store today and asked about lic/tags. Apparently I can buy over-the-counter for some hunting units. Havn't hunted in many years since I came to Colorado - here it is a sea of 'hunters'. The animal may get shot up badly and claimed by several 'hunters'. I am spoiled - back in the 60s we would buy our Idaho/Montana lic/tags on the way out of town. Two elk limit and more than 6 month season to hunt anywhere in the state. Bear were varmints - no tag needed. Bounty for lion. Didn't know it then, but those were really the 'good old days'!

 

[MachIVshooter]

Combined rifle season doesn't start here in CO in "the next couple months" (first elk season starts Oct. 13th, but is draw only). Unless you'll be driving through in late October, it's bow or nothing.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/SeasonDatesAndFees/Pages/BigGameDatesAndFees.aspx

 

[RJTravel]

Mach,
Look at date of OP.

 

[exbiologist]

Yes, pretty much all of the Montana tags are gone by this point. No, you cannot get a buck/bull over the counter in Colorado, but you can get a bull tag over the counter for 2nd or 3rd season, the earliest of which starts at the end of October.