Just spoke with a Montana licensing specialist. The following was for Elk in 2024:
Chance of draw:
0 Preference Points: 56.6%
1 Preference Point: 0%
2 Preference Points: 90.3%
In 2025, I have two opportunities to purchase Preference Points. I can purchase (1) point when I apply for my Elk tag on March 1st 2025. Which means I will not draw a tag for 2025, and waist to money spent on the Elk tag application.
Or
I can skip applying for the Elk tag in 2025, and wait till July 2025 and just purchase (1) Preference Point. Then in 2026, I can apply for an Elk tag and purchase a point with the tag, which will give me (2) points and a 90% chance of drawing a tag in 2026 (this is what I have been doing to successfully draw a Montana Elk tag every other year).
Another option is to apply in 2025 and not purchase a point, which gives me a 55-60% chance of securing a tag (depending on how many folks apply).
But if I am not successful in drawing a tag in 2025 with no points, I do not get the option to purchase a Preference point that year (2025).
Which means that in 2026, I start over, and would have to skip applying for a tag (unless I wanted to take a chance with no points) in the spring, purchase a Preference Point in the summer when that is allowed, then apply in 2027 with (1) point in the bank so to speak, and purchase another point when I apply for the Elk tag in 2027, which would give me a 90% chance of drawing in 2027. -If I didn’t draw, then I would purchase another point with my Elk application in 2028, and be pretty much guaranteed a tag with (3) points in 2028.
Not confusing at all. Lol But seriously, it makes sense to me now that I have been playing the game as a DIY public land Montana hunter.
Chance of draw:
0 Preference Points: 56.6%
1 Preference Point: 0%
2 Preference Points: 90.3%
In 2025, I have two opportunities to purchase Preference Points. I can purchase (1) point when I apply for my Elk tag on March 1st 2025. Which means I will not draw a tag for 2025, and waist to money spent on the Elk tag application.
Or
I can skip applying for the Elk tag in 2025, and wait till July 2025 and just purchase (1) Preference Point. Then in 2026, I can apply for an Elk tag and purchase a point with the tag, which will give me (2) points and a 90% chance of drawing a tag in 2026 (this is what I have been doing to successfully draw a Montana Elk tag every other year).
Another option is to apply in 2025 and not purchase a point, which gives me a 55-60% chance of securing a tag (depending on how many folks apply).
But if I am not successful in drawing a tag in 2025 with no points, I do not get the option to purchase a Preference point that year (2025).
Which means that in 2026, I start over, and would have to skip applying for a tag (unless I wanted to take a chance with no points) in the spring, purchase a Preference Point in the summer when that is allowed, then apply in 2027 with (1) point in the bank so to speak, and purchase another point when I apply for the Elk tag in 2027, which would give me a 90% chance of drawing in 2027. -If I didn’t draw, then I would purchase another point with my Elk application in 2028, and be pretty much guaranteed a tag with (3) points in 2028.
Not confusing at all. Lol But seriously, it makes sense to me now that I have been playing the game as a DIY public land Montana hunter.
