Montana Special Drawing Results Are Out

[Walt Francis]

Here is the link to see if you got lucky.          

http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/drawings/  

Then click on the MyFWP link  

I finally drew a moose tag on the 27th attempt.  Unfortunately, I have a moose trip scheduled to AK and already bought the AK tag.  Gonna have to make a decision.

[Prairie Drifter]

You can always get an Alaska tag. A Montana tag? Not so much.  I'd go to Alaska next year if you can't fit both in this year.

[DarkTimber]

Congrats on the draw Walt.  Definitely a good problem to be making a decision about.

[Mark Baker]

Murphy's law Walt!  Congrats....I think.  

Of course, I didn't draw anything...again.

[elkken]

Congrats Walt ... decisions decisions        

[bhylton]

im only on year three... i guess my odds are looking bleak for the next 20 years

[The Night Stalker]

Walt, can you do both.
I thought you were flying into a new area this year.

[Walt Francis]

Hi Tim,

Yes, the Alaska trip is scheduled for a new area.  My pilot is putting in the landing strip this spring.  He has been scouting the area for the last five years and has seen some exceptional bulls.  Lenny and I are scheduled to be the first ones to hunt this area.  He doesn't think it has been hunted since the gold rush, if it was hunted then.

It is extremely doubtful I can do both, think I would have to win the lottery, quit my job,and probably divorced, to manage that.  Imagine telling your wife you are taking three weeks to hunt moose in AK after whinning for twenty plus years about not drawing a MT moose tag.  And all that time using the lack of a MT tag to justify the previous three moose trips to Alaska....However, I am still scheeming, at least for another day or two.

[Walt Francis]

Dang, double clicked.

[Whip]

Congrats on the tag Walt.  Sort of...  
That's a real dilemma.  If it were me I'd hock everything I owed to do both.  But that doesn't solve the wife problem and divorce seems a bit drastic.

I don't think I could skip that AK set up you've got.  You'll never have that opportunity again.  
Sure hope you come up with a solution.

[Jeff D. Holchin]

Congrats Walt and I hope you make the right decision.  If it was me, knowing that life is short and both hunts are must-do, I would just do it and take my lumps.  What's the worst that could happen really?  After all these years, she might be pissed for a year or two but I find it hard to believe that she'd divorce you over this.  They'll get over it at work too.  However, this might be a good time to check the jewelry sale at Wal-mart to sweeten the missus up a bit...

[Steve H.]

Why would you be in AK for three weeks?  Every bull within twenty miles will either be dead or know you are there loooong before three weeks.  Pick the best week and a half for each state.

[old_goat2]

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

Congrats! I always figure that's the way it will work but just got my 14th bonus points! My work knows if I ever draw a tag they won't be seeing me much..

[Cove-Creek]

Congrats Walt!  

I didn't draw this year but I am no where near having applied for 27 times.

I think that you will find a way to make both happen after waiting that long!!!

Good luck!

[Hopewell Tom]

Ok, you listed some things that would make it possible (the lotto win and now no job, etc).

So you're saying there is a chance...

[The Night Stalker]

Yep Walt, if anyone can figure a way to do both, Holchin can.
He is the Master.
I would take your spot in Alaska but I am scheduled to hunt with another PBS member. Just 3 months to go.

[Walt Francis]

Latest update.

I talked with my pilot, he understood the dilemma.  Much like in my professional life, when you find a good supplier, contractor, or owner, then develop a good relationship with them, you use them whenever you can.  

I am hunting moose in Montana this year.  Next year I am headed back to Alaska to hunt the same place I was scheduled for this year, he is going to wait until then to use the new area.

Guess there is a reason Kevin, Bryan, and Monty, use him every year....and myself whenever I can.

Now I must start the research for the Montana Moose.  Jeff H, you are the guru at picking the local biologists brain, expect a PM from me here or at the PBS site in the next couple of weeks.

[Carcajou]

Good decision, Walt! best of Luck in your home state.