Montana Preference Points Planning- 2024 & 2025 Elk Hunts

[Gar]

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.

 

[weakender]

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%

Well shoot, for some reason I thought 1-2 points was 0%, so with a goal of hunting in 2026, I purchased a point last week with the intent of getting point 2 in 2025 with no draw and go into 2026 with 3 points.

But if odds remain as above, looks like I better plan on going a year early. I better hit the gym.


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[ez_willie]

Well shoot, for some reason I thought 1-2 points was 0%, so with a goal of hunting in 2026, I purchased a point last week with the intent of getting point 2 in 2025 with no draw and go into 2026 with 3 points.

But if odds remain as above, looks like I better plan on going a year early. I better hit the gym.


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Always could skip buying a PP in 2025 and apply with your one and not draw, then go in with 2 in 2026.

 

[mn_bowhunter]

You can buy a preference point during your application to give you two points

 

[weakender]

Always could skip buying a PP in 2025 and apply with your one and not draw, then go in with 2 in 2026.

Wow that didn’t occur to me. I’m so used to applying in Colorado each year and getting that preference point after unsuccessful draw.


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[Kyden]

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.

So the way I read this, if i purchased a preference point last year (I did not apply, just purchased a point) and I apply this year, my application this year will count as a point as well so I’ll be applying with 2 points?

 

[GrayGoose]

So the way I read this, if i purchased a preference point last year (I did not apply, just purchased a point) and I apply this year, my application this year will count as a point as well so I’ll be applying with 2 points?

You'll have to purchase a point at the time of application.

 

[Kyden]

You'll have to purchase a point at the time of application.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I draw this year.

 

[Gar]

Kyden,

If you already have a point from last year, then you must purchase another point when you purchase your tag this year (if you want to hunt this year). -That will give you a 90% chance this year.

Punched my bull elk tag on day two of the rifle opener last year (solo/DIY/public land).

Best to ya this year!

 

[Fowl Play]

Hey fellas, just a FYI as it seems to be a common theme in many of these threads about Montana point planning. Montana does not award you a point if you are unsuccessful in the draw like other states. Every single point you acquire must be purchased.

If you go into your first draw with 0 preference points and are unsuccessful, you will come out of the draw with 0 preference points. Etc. If you want to start accumulating points, you must purchase them every year.

I know everyone's saying this above, but just to list it out more plainly as it seems some are confused.

 

[Indian Summer]

Apply to a limited draw area where you have no chance of drawing a tag and still buy preference points. Some units have less than 1% chance of drawing.

That won’t work. You have to apply for a license and then in addition to that draw the unit specific permit. If you don’t draw the permit you can get a refund for the license but you will have lost your points.

 

[elkocd]

I think I just srewed up... why does MT have to be so convoluted?

My son and I each have 1 pref point and enough bonus points to draw the LE archery tag we want(in theory). Thinking we would not draw the general with 1 point I put us in and then put a tough to draw LE tag as our choice also selecting to buy a pref point. Thinking that we would then have 2 pref points for next year. I guess I did not get the fact that the point would be used for this draw. So now it looks like we will draw the general, but not the LE archery tag and will have to start over again next year at 0 pref points.

 

[Packer9037]

I'm not sure I'm following...so is the LE unit you applied for not the LE unit you want to hunt?

Also, you're not guaranteed a tag with 2 points. It'll probably be a little higher than 90% but it's not 100%.

I think I just srewed up... why does MT have to be so convoluted?

My son and I each have 1 pref point and enough bonus points to draw the LE archery tag we want(in theory). Thinking we would not draw the general with 1 point I put us in and then put a tough to draw LE tag as our choice also selecting to buy a pref point. Thinking that we would then have 2 pref points for next year. I guess I did not get the fact that the point would be used for this draw. So now it looks like we will draw the general, but not the LE archery tag and will have to start over again next year at 0 pref points.

 

[elkocd]

I'm not sure I'm following...so is the LE unit you applied for not the LE unit you want to hunt?

Also, you're not guaranteed a tag with 2 points. It'll probably be a little higher than 90% but it's not 100%.

Yes, correct I did not apply for the LE archery tag. I put in for a very hard rifle tag thinking we were not going to draw the general.

As I side note, this will be my 1st year a WY resident so I really don't want a MT general tag. Was hoping to use my points next year on the LE tag and be out of the MT game.