How to Apply For Hunts in Montana | 2024 Application Changes & Updates

[@Dudemanroman89]

Moved to North Dakota last year, my dream has been to hunt elk in MT for nearly a decade since I started hunting. Hoping next year I can apply and see what happens! Always appreciate these videos!

[@kerryfalls3292]

Thanks Randy for your interest in helping us through this process!!! I think your videos are the “most interesting “ videos on KZbin! You are such a great outdoorsman and hunter, keep up the good work, Wildman!!!

[@masonsayler9658]

Just spent $1500 applying for the big game combo. Glad I could help out with the $100 in extra fees too👍 I’m happy I have an opportunity to hunt the king’s animals and It only costed 3 months rent!

[@rob4263]

Randy, when you said some people dont buy a point (I think you're referring to a preference point), if someone applies for a combo license but chooses at that time to not buy a preference point, they are then NOT permitted to buy a preference point starting in July. The only people who can buy a preference point starting in July are people who didn't apply for a combo license. Crazy.

[@stevebillings4458]

This is correct

[@deanbrantley]

The prefrence point system is aimed toward making the non-res the new cash cow.

[@matthuberty2442]

I do not believe you can purchase a preference point in the summer if you have applied for a tag in March. Regardless of whether you've checked the box or not.

[@rob4263]

Agree 100% about complicated process...and ive been back there 22 of past 23yrs

[@Ryan_Erkkila]

Did I just read that those who applied in the 2024 draw and picked up a preference point while doing so but didn’t draw can buy a second point between July and the 2024 season? If that’s the case I assume they also can buy a 3rd point at application time for the 2025 season? So one who applies with 1 point in 2024 could potentially apply with 3 in 2025? Maybe that’s just those using a guide? Thanks

[@HHreloading_outdoors]

Curious on sxs input. We hunt Colorado every year. And haul the sxs up, but it’s not necessarily required. It’s a full size, so it won’t fit on most atv trails (Atleast in Colorado) Got two points, hopefully will get drawn for the gen elk/mule combo.

[@_honestly_7015]

Can you build bonus points even if you are applying for a general tag every year?

[@Max-eo1ik]

I’m an NR, so in order for me to get drawn for a limited entry tag, I must first get drawn for the general tag?

[@wkopphorses]

Yes

[@jasonfudala9687]

If you did not apply for a tag during the initial application period can you still sign up and get on the list for the returned tags?

[@drmann15]

I was looking at Montana’s website last week. Is it true that non residents have no options to hunt ANTLERED elk?

[@RitterFitness]

So, if I want to try to hunt Montana this year, I shoulnd't buy preference point? Or would it be better if I just buy a prefernce point and almost certainly get drawn next year?

[@wkopphorses]

You will most likely be drawn with 2 points in montana

[@BriceMedin]

So didn't Marcus draw in the Re-Issue draw so they all 4 drew and not just 3? Maybe I missed something

[@BDJans]

Is it true you lose any preference points you may have accumulated if you don’t put in for the draw, but just attempt to accumulate/build points via only buying the point itself?

[@brandonjochem423]

Sure is. Had that happen to us this year. Called Game and Fish and they confirmed for me that they showed the receipt for the past 2 years preference but 2022 expired because we did not apply for an actual license last year

[@coryclark9259]

What is the benefit of applying as a group vs an individual?

[@it_is_what_it_is_brotha]

If you apply as a group and one person has their name drawn everybody in the party would also get a tag if there are enough tags left for that hunt. So if you're from out of state and the people you need to come help you would only want to come if they had a license to also hunt it's a good way to ensure you either all get a license or no one does

[@HHreloading_outdoors]

Correct me if I’m wrong, I believe they take the total point divided by hunters to get the average point number for the group.. This was my understandin… May be way wrong lol

[@JohnFunk406]

I wish someone would audit f w p and find out how many prime tags are being given to non residents

[@alexandercluster3003]

As a pushing 40 year old guy who is just now thinking he might want to check some boxes off the bucket list I gotta say, goodness freaking gracious. All of this to shoot a stupid deer or elk? You can shoot a whole truck bed full of whitetails in the east in one day for 100 bucks and a handshake. This is what happens when it’s more hunters then game. Hunting in the west is like dealing with a mafia extortion racket. Out of curiosity what does all of this cost a resident? Please please tell me residents aren’t paying anywhere close to 1200 bucks for a lottery ticket essentially.

[@williamfeldner9356]

Just finished my 2024 application for a combo license, close to $1,500 ouch…….. Pretty expensive just to hunt on land I own with everyone in the Country….. You know, National Forest, National Forest, National Monuments, Wilderness Areas and Bureau of Land Management Lands……..

[@nevadabornhunter]

The land might be federal, but the wildlife belongs to the state 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@keithkester8574]

I went in 2022 and the total for everything, and I mean everything including the combo all the fees, wolf donation wolf tag, it cost me about $1,250. It went up quite a bit in 2 years I guess

[@maryfries2147]

​@@nevadabornhunterto much bureaucracy to pay for when we already own the land and I've hunted in Montana for many years but can't hunt with a crossbow in Montana, what a joke hunt somewhere for all these years now cant pull bow back so screwed but they want it pure bow so do they all hunt with long bows?

[@floridaguyoutdoors6325]

I know Montana system can be overwhelming and hard to understand but I wish colorado and Wyoming would cap there Preference Points at 3-5. There systems are ridiculous, point creep absolutely sucks

[@gregbadnerosky2537]

Colorado's preference points are essentially the same as Montana's bonus points, no cap

[@caderobertson4889]

I feel good to be a resident Montana hunter after this video…

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

When did MT go to Pref Point system? Always was Bonus Point.

[@rob4263]

Preference points are different and separate than bonus points. They've had preference points for over a decade at least

[@jmcn5177]

I need a in depth draw schooling for Minnesota. That way, you can over run your home state with hunters. Like you do to mine

[@bbd160]

Are you out of tissue? 😢

[@kellydevine9234]

limited to 17,000 NR for years. The increase in hunter numbers are coming from residents.

[@masonsayler9658]

Minnesota is OTC

[@jonathonlang1844]

I put myself and my wife in for buck and doe pronghorn, my oldest kid for a doe pronghorn and those 5 cost 1200ish, its not cheap but for pronghorn also not the craziest nonresident cost ive seen.

[@bigsteezer924]

even though i make good money its so hard to think about spending nearly $1k on a deer tag after preference points as a non res...so intense... I have hunted montana and want to again, but man...at those prices I may just hunt leftover tags in my home state (CO) thanks for this break down Randy

[@JP-uk1jp]

MT draw is so confusing and expensive.

[@jonEmontana]

Don’t forget the best value is just to buy wolf tags and save elk lives.

[@07kdjohnson1]

Sshhhh….. Stop telling people not to buy a preference point! I don’t think I heard you say but if you buy the outfitter point you can only hunt with an outfitter. You can’t hunt DIY after your week with the outfitter is up.

[@carollongacre4806]

Should of hunted 20 years ago when there were still animals left.. a young mans sport now!!!

[@Lexidezi225]

Very simple Montana great job 😂

[@csyarid]

It's clear that MT makes the process so costly and complicated in order to discourage non resident hunters.

[@frednurk4342]

Very expensive way to take your rifle for walk

[@richardjackson3939]

Try living over sea's and finding your way around this system, nightmare, at least this video explains it really well.

[@jakeyakey6395]

Who had success pulling a tag this year? Found out today I did not pull anything.

[@alexandercluster3003]

Do you get any money back if you draw nothing? I can’t imagine just eating 1200.

[@anthonymedeck7081]

Randy Randy Randy It’s time for you and the wife to move to AZ. I know you love it here.

[@justinrobinette4772]

Wtf randy. We don't need more out of state hunters.

[@brandonjochem423]

Good news is the non resident quota is capped so this video won't bring more. Randy has discussed many times. Residents are the only number that can increase

[@colepriceguitar1153]

I bet Montana hates you for clearing this up since I think they clearly made it confusing so people won’t apply.

[@justinrawley3313]

Ya a lot of this info isn’t right.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Really, Let us know what isn't right.