Montana preference point system question

[Jaegerr]

Application strategy question

Pulled an elk general this year and was fortunate to harvest a bull, so I know I’m 2 years from drawings again more than likely.

The deer combo has a 50/50 chance roughly with 1 point to draw based of this years draw odds. This got me thinking about applying in 2026 and buying a point (I have no preference points currently). My dilemma is I know I can’t apply for elk and deer separately, but can I simply buy an elk preference point later in 2026 and apply in 2027?

If I do the above and I lose and don’t draw a deer tag in 2026, I would lose my deer preference point in 2027 if I applied for just the elk combo since I can’t apply separately?

Trying to secure a mule deer hunt next year but I do not have any point in any state at the moment as I am youngish and starting to get my feet wet western hunting. Trying to secure a hunt next year!

 

[Erict]

Read THIS

No such thing as deer or elk preference points - they are nonresident combination license PPs.

You either buy a point with your combo license application or buy a point later in the year, but not both.

 

[Jaegerr]

Read THIS

No such thing as deer or elk preference points - they are nonresident combination license PPs.

You either buy a point with your combo license application or buy a point later in the year, but not both.

Yeah I’m dumb now that I re-read the rules. I was focused solely on elk and so I thought it would be different. Thanks for the info!

 

[Scottf270]

With the recent reduction of approximately 2,500 non resident deer tags, it may well take 3 years to draw a deer tag unless applications drop.

We have drawn a deer tag the last 3 years with one point with less than 50% odds.
Im already looking elsewhere this year.

 

[Jaegerr]

With the recent reduction of approximately 2,500 non resident deer tags, it may well take 3 years to draw a deer tag unless applications drop.

We have drawn a deer tag the last 3 years with one point with less than 50% odds.
Im already looking elsewhere this year.

Any good options you’ve found?

 

[Duckman18]

So I’ve never put in and going to be trying to put in next year for a deer combo. Should I buy a preference point now or put in next year with zero?

 

[Jaegerr]

So I’ve never put in and going to be trying to put in next year for a deer combo. Should I buy a preference point now or put in next year with zero?

Buy a point now (deadline is December 31st so tomorrow) and then you can also buy a point when you apply next year. You should have a pretty good chance with 2 points.
If you apply with zero, you can’t buy any preference points at the end of next year if you don’t draw.
If you don’t buy one in the draw, you can’t then buy one in the winter during the preference point only period.
No free lunch as anything with life. You either commit to the luck of the draw every year with zero and maybe you get more tags, or you get a tag just about every other year with preference points. Just depends on whether Montana is where you want to hunt or if it’s just a back up. Is Montana your primary target?

 

[Duckman18]

Just trying for Montana next few years.