You didn't mention you can also buy an outfitter point that including the preference point, can give you 2 points in the draw and guarantee you get drawn
What an extremely thorough video on the most complex state draw out west. I have watched videos on all the states for 4 years and this helped me out more than most understand the real nuance things within the draw. I bought my first Big Game combo preference point and I knew about the two years, but forgot it was one of those states that you paid up front. I am either going to have to figure out how to save the $1052 for the Big Game combo or the $614 for the deer to go in 2022. It's only $164 over the elk tag price to be able to hunt a deer 🦌. I wonder how many people wished that they had a deer tag in their pocket while elk hunting and they saw a 170-200 inch buck step out. Or any legal buck that would be fantastic camp meat 🍖? It's only $450 over a deer tag to hunt a 400-900 lb animal. I am not a money bag by no means, but that's how I validate it to myself. I did buy bonus points for standard pronghorn and Archery 🏹 only pronghorn as well.
Thank you Forrest! We ended up spending way more time on this than expected just because the more we researched, the more confused we became. I'm glad we were able to help you out, and good luck in the coming years!
@@huntinfool_official You are welcome and yes Montana is probably the biggest rabbit 🐇 hole to dive down into when it comes to their draw system. I don't mind a 35 minute video, it's needed in this case. Thank you very much and good luck to you all as well.
I’ve hunted MT for 6 years and thought I knew the system pretty well but I leaned a lot from this video so first of all thanks for doing it! I had a question could a person put in for a combo with 0 points and if unsuccessful in that 25% buy a preference point after the draw during the points only period?
Thanks for this video. Although still a bit confusing, it did clarify many questions I had. I would be interested in an elk license, but also interested in a pronghorn license. Is the pronghorn as complicated as the deer and elk?
No, the pronghorn applications are not as complicated as deer and elk. There are no PREFERENCE points for pronghorn, only BONUS points (more like sheep, moose, and mountain goat in MT). Not long ago, MT did create two separate bonus point categories for pronghorn (one for archery only hunts, and one for the any weapon hunts (that often include an archery only season)). Just be sure you're building points for the right weapon. The points only application period is open now, so it's not too late to build a point this year. The archery only 900-20 tag can be drawn almost every year (depends on how lucky/unlucky you are). The any weapon permits vary greatly in draw odds. Consult Huntin' Fool's draw odds (members only) for the most accurate draw odds available: www.huntinfool.com/drawodds
Do I have to apply for the limited entry at the same time I apply for the combo license? Or can I wait for results of the Combo and after the results then apply for limited entry?
So can I buy a preference point this year (2021) and next year (2022), and be guaranteed a tag in 2023? Or do I have to apply in 2022 so my points are not purged?
From MT's website: "You can only purchase without applying for the combination license for 2 consecutive years. If you skip 3 years of applying for the combination license, all preference points are zeroed. Applicants may purchase only one preference point per license year. Preference points purchased at the time of application are awarded prior to the drawing." Based on the above, it is our understanding that you can apply for Preference points for two years straight and then apply for the combination license on the third year. This strategy would "guarantee" you a tag on the third year, assuming no major changes in demand occur.
the preference point you buy on your application can be used in that years draw, so if you bought a point this year, you can apply next year, buy a point at the time of application, and have two points, which should guarantee your draw
The fact this is public and for free is amazing. This is the best explanation of Montana's complicated draw system I've seen. Thank you!
Thank you for mentioning the preference point purge. I fell in to it this year without knowing about this.
You didn't mention you can also buy an outfitter point that including the preference point, can give you 2 points in the draw and guarantee you get drawn
What an extremely thorough video on the most complex state draw out west. I have watched videos on all the states for 4 years and this helped me out more than most understand the real nuance things within the draw.
I bought my first Big Game combo preference point and I knew about the two years, but forgot it was one of those states that you paid up front. I am either going to have to figure out how to save the $1052 for the Big Game combo or the $614 for the deer to go in 2022.
It's only $164 over the elk tag price to be able to hunt a deer 🦌. I wonder how many people wished that they had a deer tag in their pocket while elk hunting and they saw a 170-200 inch buck step out. Or any legal buck that would be fantastic camp meat 🍖? It's only $450 over a deer tag to hunt a 400-900 lb animal. I am not a money bag by no means, but that's how I validate it to myself.
I did buy bonus points for standard pronghorn and Archery 🏹 only pronghorn as well.
Thank you Forrest! We ended up spending way more time on this than expected just because the more we researched, the more confused we became. I'm glad we were able to help you out, and good luck in the coming years!
@@huntinfool_official You are welcome and yes Montana is probably the biggest rabbit 🐇 hole to dive down into when it comes to their draw system. I don't mind a 35 minute video, it's needed in this case.
Thank you very much and good luck to you all as well.
Nice job on this video! Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Are the big game combo licenses under the elk preference point pool? Or does it go by both elk AND deer points?
I’ve hunted MT for 6 years and thought I knew the system pretty well but I leaned a lot from this video so first of all thanks for doing it! I had a question could a person put in for a combo with 0 points and if unsuccessful in that 25% buy a preference point after the draw during the points only period?
Very much appreciated
Great content! Do you need a combo license to apply for B tags? Can you freezer hunt without getting a combo?
Awesome info!
Thanks for this video. Although still a bit confusing, it did clarify many questions I had. I would be interested in an elk license, but also interested in a pronghorn license. Is the pronghorn as complicated as the deer and elk?
No, the pronghorn applications are not as complicated as deer and elk. There are no PREFERENCE points for pronghorn, only BONUS points (more like sheep, moose, and mountain goat in MT). Not long ago, MT did create two separate bonus point categories for pronghorn (one for archery only hunts, and one for the any weapon hunts (that often include an archery only season)). Just be sure you're building points for the right weapon. The points only application period is open now, so it's not too late to build a point this year. The archery only 900-20 tag can be drawn almost every year (depends on how lucky/unlucky you are). The any weapon permits vary greatly in draw odds. Consult Huntin' Fool's draw odds (members only) for the most accurate draw odds available: www.huntinfool.com/drawodds
Do I have to apply for the limited entry at the same time I apply for the combo license? Or can I wait for results of the Combo and after the results then apply for limited entry?
Yes, you must apply at the same time. The deadline this year is April 1st!
So can I buy a preference point this year (2021) and next year (2022), and be guaranteed a tag in 2023? Or do I have to apply in 2022 so my points are not purged?
From MT's website:
"You can only purchase without applying for the combination license for 2 consecutive years. If you skip 3 years of applying for the combination license, all preference points are zeroed. Applicants may purchase only one preference point per license year. Preference points purchased at the time of application are awarded prior to the drawing."
Based on the above, it is our understanding that you can apply for Preference points for two years straight and then apply for the combination license on the third year. This strategy would "guarantee" you a tag on the third year, assuming no major changes in demand occur.
the preference point you buy on your application can be used in that years draw, so if you bought a point this year, you can apply next year, buy a point at the time of application, and have two points, which should guarantee your draw