Official Montana 2025 Draw Thread

[mountainman406]

Hello again Everyone,

***TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR DEER/ELK APPLICATIONS***

It's nearly that time of year again here in the great state of Montana. Posting this so that we can all communicate our annual victories/frustrations with the Montana draw system and clear up any confusion for non-residents with rules/regulations/FUBAR drawing process. If you're new to applying in the state, below are some of the ways that you can search for your results (draw is mid-April historically). Best of luck this year everyone, feel free to respond to the poll and drop your questions!

Resources:
Bonus/Preference Point Info

Bonus Points | Montana FWP

Bonus points increase your chances of drawing a permit or license.  Bonus points offer you additional chances in the drawing. Bonus points accumulate until you are successful in the drawing. You can only purchase one bonus point per license year for each type of permit or license. You can...

fwp.mt.gov

(quickest search method) Excel Search: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/searchHunters_input.action
(standard search method) Drawing Lookup: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/myDrawResult_input.action

 

[Skerhunter]

I’m in with 2 points, which is nerve racking!

 

[Usi05]

Can someone save me 5 minutes of digging?

Am I correct that you can BUY a PP in Montana but you DO NOT acquire one for a failed draw attempt? I always forget!

O PP's but I have 5 BP's. Assuming my statement above is true, I will have to decide on 25% random draw chance or buying a PP and burning Colorado points.

 

[Skerhunter]

Can someone save me 5 minutes of digging?

Am I correct that you can BUY a PP in Montana but you DO NOT acquire one for a failed draw attempt? I always forget!

O PP's but I have 5 BP's. Assuming my statement above is true, I will have to decide on 25% random draw chance or buying a PP and burning Colorado points.

Have to buy PP!

 

[TheJimmer]

I’m in with 2 points, which is nerve racking!

I am going in with 2 as well. I am interested to see how much success rates move with changes to other states this year.

 

[Packer9037]

Hello again Everyone,

***TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR DEER/ELK APPLICATIONS***

It's nearly that time of year again here in the great state of Montana. Posting this so that we can all communicate our annual victories/frustrations with the Montana draw system and clear up any confusion for non-residents with rules/regulations/FUBAR drawing process. If you're new to applying in the state, below are some of the ways that you can search for your results (draw is mid-April historically). Best of luck this year everyone, feel free to respond to the poll and drop your questions!

Resources:
Bonus/Preference Point Info

Bonus Points | Montana FWP

Bonus points increase your chances of drawing a permit or license.  Bonus points offer you additional chances in the drawing. Bonus points accumulate until you are successful in the drawing. You can only purchase one bonus point per license year for each type of permit or license. You can...

fwp.mt.gov

(quickest search method) Excel Search: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/searchHunters_input.action
(standard search method) Drawing Lookup: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/myDrawResult_input.action

I hate the 6 week wait for Montana...I don't know if I'll have enough points for Wyoming but that wait would give me all the gray hairs! Group of 3 in with 2 points.

I'll add here that the excel search and drawing lookup will only work for an individual hunter. Right now the multiple hunter lookup is not working.

 

[bmart2622]

What 6 week wait are you referring to?

 

[mountainman406]

I hate the 6 week wait for Montana...I don't know if I'll have enough points for Wyoming but that wait would give me all the gray hairs! Group of 3 in with 2 points.

I'll add here that the excel search and drawing lookup will only work for an individual hunter. Right now the multiple hunter lookup is not working.

The wait really sucks, even more so for the other special tags. It really doesn't allow for me to develop a game plan until the middle of the summer.....and then antelope comes out in August and could throw everything off again.

Good call on the individual hunter lookup, I always just assume that people will use it for themselves only. I don't believe they have a party lookup option at the moment

 

[Packer9037]

What 6 week wait are you referring to?

The 6 week wait between me not drawing with 2 points and the date when my refund check arrives

I'm actually referring to the roughly 6 weeks between when you can first apply and when the draw occurs.

 

[bmart2622]

April 1-15th is the worst

 

[CApighunter]

In with 2 points for the combo, fingers crossed.

 

[rogerdoger]

Fingers crossed I draw, if not I will be cow hunting that unit to continue to scout and figure it out better for the day I do draw.

 

[johnsd16]

I play the 0pp game and have me and the younger boy both in for permits. The NR draw system sucks for youth permits.

 

[PaBone]

My two son's and I are in for a group with 2 points general elk.

 

[Chief23]

In with 2 general elk

 

[Afhunter1]

I play the 0pp game and have me and the younger boy both in for permits. The NR draw system sucks for youth permits.

If you draw a permit you can just buy him one at a regional office otc right?

 

[waspocrew]

Probably won’t draw, but worth a try anyway!

 

[cole96]

In with 3 points. And 3 bonus points. Trying to hit the Hail Mary and go unit 417. If no luck the a general hunt area.

 

[Ghostman]

Drew a tag last year, not expecting much this year

 

[johnsd16]

If you draw a permit you can just buy him one at a regional office otc right?

Trying to get the kid the LE permit