I think I'm dumb enough to dumb it down.
Enter the draw this year and don't wait till the last day. If you just plan to hunt Elk purchase the Elk Combo, if Elk and deer purchase the Big Game Combo. If hunting Archery select Bow and arrow. Purchase the preference point for 100 dollars. Don't select Elk permit.
Either combo has all the tags you need and probably some you won't need so don't select other anything else. There is a 90 plus chance that you won't draw Montana this year but you will go into next year with a point. Do the exact same thing next year and again buy a preference point. This gives you 2 points for 2025. You probably will stand 80% chance of drawing in 2025. However, I have heard of a few not drawing with 2 points. So if you don't draw you should have a 100% chance to draw in 2026. If you get a general tag you can hunt any general season unit. However be aware each unit has it's own specific regulations so make sure you know what they are. You are not limited to any one unit nor to any one season, meaning you can hunt both archery and Rifle on the same tag but only one elk is allowed. Again don't select the Elk Permit as that is a separate hunt and don't buy any bonus points as they won't help you for the General season hunt they only help for the permit hunt.