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Don’t Wait: Montana’s Bonus Point Deadline is September 30

Erik Schell
|  
Location: Montana

Serious hunters know that Montana is home to some of North America’s most coveted species: Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, mountain goat, and antelope. The key to unlocking these dream hunts is building points, and the deadline to secure your bonus point for this year is September 30.

Montana squares bonus points in its draw system, and hunters with more points gain a significant advantage in the draw. If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing a record bull, a giant ram, or a heavy-horned buck in Montana, strategically building points will put you in the best position to find success in upcoming seasons.

Rocky Mountain Elk

Montana consistently produces exceptional trophy bulls, making elk the most sought-after species in the state. Archery permits are especially appealing, often requiring only 4–7 years to draw—a remarkably short time period compared to other western states. Rifle permits can often be drawn with a similar point investment, though trophy quality is slightly lower on average. Many of these hunts take place on expansive private ranches, providing hunters with excellent opportunities and high success rates.

Mule Deer

Montana’s mule deer hunting centers on limited-quota permit areas, where bonus points are required to draw. These areas typically have low quotas, which result in a stronger age class and better trophy potential. Realistically, hunters can expect to invest 3–6 points before securing one of these sought-after permits.

Antelope

Montana offers surprisingly strong antelope hunting, with 80″ bucks harvested on an annual basis. Both archery and rifle tags are available, providing an opportunity for hunters with various preferences. Archery tags can realistically be drawn with two points, and rifle permits are often attainable at a similar level, making antelope one of Montana’s most accessible trophy species.

Sheep, Moose, and Mountain Goat

Montana offers outstanding trophy quality for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, and Rocky Mountain goat. It’s a must-apply state since it offers more non-resident tags than most. However, sportsmen should still be prepared for long waits.  Such coveted tags never come easy, but they are well worth the investment when drawn.

Plan Ahead with WTA TAGS

The September 30 deadline is fast approaching, and it is essential to have a clear strategy in place when building your Montana portfolio. For personalized guidance and assistance with the application process, contact WTA TAGS today. Our team of experts can ensure your applications are submitted correctly and that your long-term goals are aligned with the best opportunities available.

Make your hunting dreams a reality in Montana! Give WTA TAGS a call today to get started 1-800-755-8247.

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Europe Awaits! Hosted Hunting + A European Vacation

Europe Awaits! Hosted Hunting + A European Vacation

I have been hunting Europe for a little over 10 years now, but there are so many countries and so much game that I feel like it could take another 20 years to see and do everything I want to do. That’s part of what makes Europe so exciting. It truly feels endless. Europe has become incredibly popular for several reasons. First, as an international hunting destination, it is easily accessible, with numerous flights available and no 15-hour, long-haul flights required from the U.S. and North America. Second, the hunts are almost always 100% successful because game management is top-notch and populations are extremely healthy. Third, hunts are relatively short, usually three to five days. Hunts lend themselves perfectly to adding extra vacation time, bringing non-hunters, and enjoying a truly memorable overall trip.

I’ve had the privilege of running WTA-hosted trips designed specifically for couples for the past three years, and we will continue this program well into the future, due to its overwhelming popularity. These trips are structured with a primary hunt alongside a dedicated non-hunter program for observers who prefer not to spend time in the field. Some of these activities have included spa days, shopping excursions, guided sightseeing tours, visits to olive oil operations or wineries, and more. Of course, non-hunters are always welcome to join the hunters in the field if they’d like.

On a personal level, my wife absolutely loves these trips, and I wouldn’t think of traveling to Europe without her. On several occasions when I’ve finished my hunt early, I’ve joined the non-hunters on their excursions and had an absolute blast. We also typically add a couple of days at the beginning of the trip to explore a city or region we haven’t visited before, which helps us adjust to the time change before the hunt begins.

In addition to the hunting, the scenery, the accommodations, and the food are always top-shelf. ).push(arguments)}; h._hjSettings={hjid:1425549,hjsv:6}; a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv; a.appendChild(r); })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); */ jQuery(function($) { $(function() { let isMobile = window.matchMedia("only screen and (max-width: 767px)").matches; if (!isMobile) { $('#pgpContent').on('click', '.tripCard a', function(){ $(this).attr('target', '_blank').attr('rel','noopener'); }); } }); });

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