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Montana Bonus Points and Preference Points Explained

Montana runs two separate point systems. Bonus points add weight in a random drawing for permits and B licenses; preference points sort nonresidents in line for the general combination licenses. Here is how each works, in our words, from FWP's rules and results.

System 1: bonus points (permits and B licenses)

Deer and elk permits, elk B and deer B licenses, antelope licenses and antelope B licenses are drawn at random with bonus points as extra weight. Each first-choice application gets one chance, plus its bonus points squared. Someone with 4 points (counting the one bought with this year's application) holds 17 chances; someone who did not buy a point this year holds 1, whatever their balance. Points apply to first choice only.

Bonus pointsChances in drawing
01
12
25
310
417
526
637
865
10101
15226
20401

Because the drawing is weighted, not ranked, there is no hard point cutoff: low point holders can still draw, and high point holders can miss. Points are kept per license type and reset to zero when you draw your first choice using them. A point costs $2 for residents and $20 for nonresidents per license type, bought with the application or from July 1 to Sept. 30 when you did not apply for that type.

Quota splits

Nonresidents can receive up to 10% of permits in a drawing, and FWP sets aside up to 15% for landowner preference. Each hunt page shows those splits as FWP reported them. FWP landowner preference rules.

System 2: preference points (nonresident combination licenses)

Nonresident General Big Game (elk) and General Deer combination licenses are drawn in preference-point order: applicants with the most points draw first, then the next level, until the quota is used. The level where the quota runs out draws at random. A share of the quota goes to applicants who apply without buying points, which is why the 0-point row shows a draw rate. These licenses have a fixed statewide quota.

Nonresident General Big Game (elk) combination

YearPoolPreference pointsApplicantsDrawnFWP draw rate
2026Regular2.2 to 35,377—100%
2026Regular29,6097,28175.77%
2026Regular0.2 to 1.87,063—0%
2026Regular07,8434,20553.61%
2026Landowner pool30—0%
2026Landowner pool220—100%
2026Landowner pool169—100%
2026Landowner pool044—100%
2025Regular2.2 to 34,522—100%
2025Regular29,7218,14683.8%
2025Regular0.2 to 1.87,323—0%
2025Regular07,9534,20252.84%
2025Landowner pool30—0%
2025Landowner pool225—100%
2025Landowner pool157—100%
2025Landowner pool047—100%
2024Regular2.2 to 34,562—100%
2024Regular28,9498,07890.27%
2024Regular0.2 to 1.88,546—0%
2024Regular07,4614,22456.61%
2024Landowner pool32—100%
2024Landowner pool236—100%
2024Landowner pool169—100%
2024Landowner pool024—100%
2023Regular2.2 to 34,138—100%
2023Regular210,2598,61283.9%
2023Regular0.2 to 1.89,443—0%
2023Regular07,0554,25060.2%

Nonresident General Deer combination

YearPoolPreference pointsApplicantsDrawnFWP draw rate
2026Regular1.2 to 35,410—100%
2026Regular13,63776020.9%
2026Regular0.2 to 0.75137—0%
2026Regular04,0292,05651.03%
2025Regular1.2 to 35,816—100%
2025Regular14,2212,01447.71%
2025Regular0.2 to 0.8157—0%
2025Regular04,7632,61054.8%
2024Regular1.2 to 35,525—100%
2024Regular14,7572,34749.34%
2024Regular0.2 to 0.75271—0%
2024Regular05,0812,62351.62%
2023Regular1.2 to 35,799—100%
2023Regular15,0212,01840.2%
2023Regular0.2 to 0.8243—0%
2023Regular04,8662,60653.6%

How TagCanyon's Montana outlook works

The CO and WY points-to-draw index does not fit a weighted drawing, so Montana hunt pages use a different labeled outlook: first-choice applicants projected one year ahead from the average yearly change (2023 to 2026), divided into the same number of first-choice licenses, plus the trend in average bonus points held by applicants. Confidence is low with fewer than three years or any yearly swing in applicants over 30%. Quota changes and rule changes are not modeled, and FWP's published results are authoritative.

Frequently asked questions

Are Montana bonus points and preference points the same thing?

No. Bonus points add chances in the permit and B-license drawings. Preference points only order nonresidents in the general combination license drawing.

How many chances does a bonus point give in Montana?

Your points are squared and one chance is added for the application itself, counting the point bought this year. Four points give 17 chances.

Do I keep my bonus points if I draw a second choice?

Yes. FWP resets bonus points only when you draw your first choice while using points.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), 2026 Drawing Statistics reports (MyFWP drawing statistics, FWP application and drawing dates). Tables, outlooks and text are TagCanyon's own; FWP does not warrant or endorse them. Not affiliated with FWP. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026.

Rules summarized from FWP licenses and permits FAQ.