Montana is a great state to hunt antelope as there are a lot of tags, a long season, a good amount of public land, and plenty of antelope. With long seasons, decent draw odds, and a cheap permit fee, you can see why it has been a popular state to hunt antelope. If you’re only after a book speed goat, you probably shouldn’t be applying in Montana unless you will be hunting a private ranch that has been managed for trophy bucks.

As Montana’s squared bonus point system ages, along with statewide buck rifle quotas below 20,000 tags over the last four years, non-resident odds of drawing their tag have gotten a little tougher. Aside from units 440 and 007-21, all of the rifle hunts covered in our table now take at least 10 points to give you better than coin flip odds of being drawn. Over each of the last two years, around 17,400 rifle buck tags have been issued across the state. Of those, about 1,560 were drawn by non-residents. The hope is that after yet another very mild winter in 2024-25, antelope populations along with permit numbers will see an increase this year. Those determinations won’t take place until after the flight counts take place in early July.

If you are an archery antelope hunter, the 900-20 archery antelope is one of the best opportunity hunts in the West. This hunt continues to become more popular by the year with both resident and non-resident archery hunters. In 2024, non-resident draw odds with 1 point were 31%, with 2 points were 59%, with 3 points were 86%, and with 4 points were 93%. Of the few applicants entering the draw with 5 or more points, each was successful in pulling their tag. However, there is no reason to go into the draw with no points as Montana forms a point purchase at the time of application ahead of the draw. One of the best things about this hunt is that applicants under the age of 15 can hunt every unit in the state with the exception of units 215-20, 291-20, and 313-20. The 900-20 archery season runs August 15–November 9, although you will need to purchase your bow license before October 1st. All of the hunts run October 5-November 9. Hunters who draw a rifle antelope tag can use the tag during the regular archery season, and if they fill their unit by the opening on September 6th, they won’t need to buy a second archery license.

Each year, you may build three different antelope options into your application — an antelope 900-20 license for either sex (archery only), an antelope 007-20 or 007-21 license for either sex (any weapon), and an antelope B license for female only (archery or rifle). You may build points for each of them or one of them. If you simply enter the draw every year, three either-sex licenses in one is the bonus. During the July 1–September 30 points only period, you may choose to build points for any either-sex license you didn’t apply for.

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