MT Preference pts

[Tdot24]

Curious as to how much you all think the cut of Non-Res tags will affect deer combo odds, have 2 pts this year, in past it’s been 80 pct+ odds, any guesses?

 

[dmandoes]

69.7%

 

[8andcounting]

Curious as to how much you all think the cut of Non-Res tags will affect deer combo odds, have 2 pts this year, in past it’s been 80 pct+ odds, any guesses?

2 has been 100% for years . It will be this year also

 

[typhoon916]

I'll be applying for just the elk combo with just 2 points.

 

[8andcounting]

I'll be applying for just the elk combo with just 2 points.

You’ll be around 90% draw odds guessing

 

[typhoon916]

You’ll be around 90% draw odds guessing

Thanks awesome

 

[Jpoquette]

I have a related question. Sorry if this isn’t the best thread…

I am trying to unravel MT draw system. I watched Randy’s YouTube video. I want to plan a hunt for 2027 based on my schedule, but I don’t want to end up in the 1 point sandwich.

What would you recommend to have the best odds of drawing in 2027?

1. Can I buy a point this year (2026), then buy a point when I apply in 2027 as well, so I can enter with 2 points?

OR

Am I only allowed to buy a point this year (2026), which means I shouldn’t buy a point so I enter with 0 points in 2027?

Thanks for helping me understand this better.

 

[Bryerific]

I have a related question. Sorry if this isn’t the best thread…

I am trying to unravel MT draw system. I watched Randy’s YouTube video. I want to plan a hunt for 2027 based on my schedule, but I don’t want to end up in the 1 point sandwich.

What would you recommend to have the best odds of drawing in 2027?

1. Can I buy a point this year (2026), then buy a point when I apply in 2027 as well, so I can enter with 2 points?

OR

Am I only allowed to buy a point this year (2026), which means I shouldn’t buy a point so I enter with 0 points in 2027?

Thanks for helping me understand this better.

1. Yes, You can buy a preference point this fall and then again going into the the 2027 draw. MT applies the preference point you just bought into the draw, so you’d have 2.

• Nonresident preference point purchase period: July 1 to Dec. 31

 

[Jpoquette]

Thanks, Bryerific!

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Yes, everything I have read, 2 preferences points should get you in, and if you want to be guaranteed just wait a year and get your 3rd preference point

 

[8andcounting]

Yes, everything I have read, 2 preferences points should get you in, and if you want to be guaranteed just wait a year and get your 3rd preference point

Can’t . You have to apply in year 2 or you lose the pp

 

[jvanhoy]

You’ll be around 90% draw odds guessing

Am I reading it right that someone with 0 points has a 52% chance and 1 point no chance? I’m sure I’m missing something there.

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Am I reading it right that someone with 0 points has a 52% chance and 1 point no chance? I’m sure I’m missing something there.

No, that is correct. They start the draw with people with 3 points down to 2 points until they fill 75% of the quota the the last 25% comes from people with zero points to one point but starting with zero first which typically fills up the last 25%

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

Can’t . You have to apply in year 2 or you lose the pp

How can you get 3 preferences points if you have to apply in year 2?

 

[Kydeerslayer64]

How can you get 3 preferences points if you have to apply in year 2

How can you get 3 preferences points if you have to apply in year 2?

you will lose your Montana nonresident elk preference points if you do not apply for a combination license (or purchase a point) in consecutive years…so as long as you at least purchase a preference point in consecutive years you do not lose any points

 

[jvanhoy]

Just when I thought WY and CO was confusing

 

[kwyeewyk]

…so as long as you at least purchase a preference point in consecutive years you do not lose any points

No you must actually apply in consecutive years, not just buy points. The way you could have gotten 3 by 2027 would have been to have bought 1 point last fall, then apply this spring without buying another point. You'd have 0% chance of drawing with 1 point, then fall of 2026 you buy your 2nd point, then buy your 3rd point when you apply again in spring 2027. Unfortunately you missed the chance to get your point in 2025, so if you're set on 2027 you'll only have 2 points, but that's still pretty good draw odds.

If you don't draw with 2 you can buy your 3rd point for 2028.

The other way to get to 3 points is to commit to hunting with an outfitter and then you can buy 2 points at once.

 

[rmyoung1]

Or you could be a member of the unlucky 10-15% or so who failed to draw with two points. The next year you’d then be applying with three.

 

[rmyoung1]

Just when I thought WY and CO was confusing

WY and CO are Dr Seuss compared to MT’s James Joyce. It’s like MT was trying to make it as complicated as possible.

 

[Wildabeest]

Just when I thought WY and CO was confusing

Gets even more confusing when the draw itself doesn’t operate as advertised.