Anyone know what the deer season dates are for the Billings area for archery , blackpowder, and gun? How much are nonresident licenses? Are the licenses over the counter or do you have to draw or buy specific tags? Thanks

The deer season runs state wide, this year it was from Oct. 26- Nov. 30. A general deer combination tag, which allows you to shoot a buck deer ( whitetail or mulie in most areas- in some you need to apply for a mulie tag) and also covers your upland game license, costs $328. This is the only tag a non-res. can apply for if you want to shoot a buck. They issue 2500 of these tags, and I understand the chances of drawing one are about 20% your first year. But if you go through an outfitter, you can get a guarenteed outfitters tag, but it costs $775.

Hey Rangerlab, Thanks for the info. How do I apply for the draw. When is the draw. Is it date specific or good for a whole year.

The deadline for applications is around March 15th......for more info log on http://fwp.state.mt.us/ all the info you need is there!

YLM

When is the whitail rut around Billings. I have an oppurtunity to hunt a small ranch for free as long as its archery. I was on a mission trip there in May and scouted aroound. I bumped at least three good size bucks that already had velvet with 6 points. I also walked up on a doe hours after she gave birth. One fawn could barely walk and the other could not even stand. The ranch is on the yellowstone and has acres of alfalfa.

ramdino- It sounds like you have a pretty good set up there. This year the archery season was Sept 6th- Oct.19th, but if you draw a general license, you can also hunt with a bow during gun season. Generally the rut starts around the middle of November, but this year with the cold weather, there were alot of nice bucks running with the does almost right from the beginning of the season. I would suggest going on the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website and requesting a copy of their hunting regulations. It has alot of info in it, and makes for some good reading. Good luck!