Taking advantage of Montana’s Variety of Unique hunting opportunities doesn’t revolve around the big four; Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats and Buffalo. If you didn’t draw any of those tags, welcome to the majority club. But all is not lost if you put in for rib-eye in the sky and speed goat tags!
I recently visited family and friends living in the north eastern U.S. When I got home I found tags issued from the FWP like antelope archery valid in most antelope regions around the state and Sand Hill Crane permits for unit 284-01 not far from my home town. Where else in the country can hunters apply for such a diversity of game and have a great chance of success?
Not many – but now that I have a sand hill crane tag, a tag I put in for simply because if it’s uniqueness and proximity to where I live, I’m going to have to educate myself on the species.
The birds are big and have nickname’s like “rib-eye in the sky”. Something I look forward to testing the validity of. Then there’s the antelope “900” permit I drew which opened up on August 15th and runs into November. Their nickname is speed goat” which doesn’t necessary conger thoughts of a slow arrow flung from a long bow but it’s what I like to do.
I’ll have to fit hunting these species in-between deer, elk, black bear and waterfowl. And I usually end up taking a few grouse with my bow while archery hunting in the remote back country too. Where I’ll find the time is a mystery that will play out as the season unfolds.
One thing is for sure, I have plenty of tags to occupy my time this season. But hunting flying rib-eyes and speeding goats are at the top of my list this season. What’s your unique hunting opportunity this year? We’d love to hear about it and don’t forget to send photos!
