Official Montana 2024 Draw Thread

[hoff1ck]

Called it!

2 point odds improved from slightly this year. As f$cked up as MT FWP is, their preference points system is the best for the end user. Turns out when you make people apply every year or lose their points, the system works as intended. Colorado and Wyoming should be paying attention, but then again they will never let that cash cow Ponzi scheme die.

Additionally, approximately 1500 less applicants this year, an indication that the western hunting bubble is bursting slightly, which is good. Turns out elk hunting is hard, time consuming, and not exactly what it looks like on instagram.

With only around 850 2 point holders that didn’t draw, that means we shouldn’t see nearly as many 3 point holders going into the draw in 2025 as we have seen the past 2 years. 2 point draw odds will likely improve again next year.

It’s not all doom and gloom!

Outfitted clients can also buy 2 preference points, so there could be a fair amount sitting on 1 that can apply with 3 next year as well.

 

[GunnarS]

I’d be interested to see how many of those applicants are now residents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is there info out there on number of resident tags given out every year?

 

[eltx]

Is there info out there on number of resident tags given out every year?

For tags probably not till the season is over but the permit details are available.

https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/drawingStatistics

 

[BuckeyeRifleman]

Outfitted clients can also buy 2 preference points, so there could be a fair amount sitting on 1 that can apply with 3 next year as well.

True. If an outfitted client can buy an off season PP then buy two during application that might happen, but the entire point of the two points for outfitted applicants was so they could draw every year. If they drew the year prior, they shouldn’t have 3 the next year.

I still bet we are a drop in 3 point applicants next year.

 

[Roughwater]

True. If an outfitted client can buy an off season PP then buy two during application that might happen, but the entire point of the two points for outfitted applicants was so they could draw every year. If they drew the year prior, they shouldn’t have 3 the next year.

I still bet we are a drop in 3 point applicants next year.

If you are not a shoe in to draw next year with 3 points something terriable is wrong with the system.
I expect to to have 2 points next year since I didn't draw this year but feel like my odds are still above 50% next year to draw so not bad odds for sure. I will try to get on a alternate list this year if possible. I have one other state I can go to that has unlimited tags but not sure I will use that option though I know the area pretty well. I just like Montana better than any other state I have hunted in spite of the cost and chances of drawing.






2

 

[hoff1ck]

True. If an outfitted client can buy an off season PP then buy two during application that might happen, but the entire point of the two points for outfitted applicants was so they could draw every year. If they drew the year prior, they shouldn’t have 3 the next year.

I still bet we are a drop in 3 point applicants next year.

That’s definitely true for clients that are going annually. I don’t follow outfitted stuff so I have no clue if those guys going every year are the majority of the clientele vs those who may go every few and wouldn’t be restricted to only 2 points. More so pointing out that I don’t think you can bank on the 3 point pool only going up so much solely based on the 2 point pool that didn’t draw the year prior. Especially hard without knowing how many sat on the sidelines this year with a point but will go into the draw next year with two, or those that were applying in the 0 point pool but see the shrinking odds and change strategy that way.

I’m not saying I’m not optimistic that we might see some continued change in a positive direction, just too many variables to accurately predict.

 

[Erict]

Didn't see any better place to post it, but some people are curious about refunds.

03/28/24 - $780.48 to apply (These are the minimum required pieces: Conservation license - $9.75, Base hunting license - $15.00, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass - $7.50, Application Fee - $5.00, Service Fee - $19.23, Deer Combo - $724.00)

04/29/24 - $724.00 REFUND for NR Deer Combo (0 PP) received in mail.

 

[Ten Bears]

Following up from a couple weeks ago.

Just called MFP and asked how I drew the NR Elk Combo with 1pt.

Turns out it was a released tag, which still doesn't show that way on my account.

Pretty excited, I have never had the privilege to hunt Montana.

 

[Dos Perros]

Is the report right, or did people actually draw with 1 point?

 

[Ten Bears]

Is the report right, or did people actually draw with 1 point?

from what they told me only on the released tags did anyone with 1pt draw..

 

[GunnarS]

I just got a refund in the mail for $4.00 that says drawing refund but I drew a NR elk tag this year and that is all that i applied for... anyone know what this is for?

 

[Packer9037]

Sorry to those that didn't draw with 2 points. Anyone with 2 points heading into the draw next year with space in your group to do a party application? Would love to discuss a partnership for the application!

 

[jip40]

The YoY drop in applications is interesting

Bet it will drop more next year

 

[SuperDUECE22]

Sorry to those that didn't draw with 2 points. Anyone with 2 points heading into the draw next year with space in your group to do a party application? Would love to discuss a partnership for the application!

Interesting, What would you bring to the table in said "partnership" ?

 

[Packer9037]

Financial renumeration. Tips on what not to do while elk hunting. Northern MN deer hunting. Overall annoying flatlander that would ask a lot of questions. or Cupcakes. Willing to discuss any and all combinations

 

[Clownbiscuit]

Hello again Everyone,

As everything is thawing out here in MT (or at least trying to), it's nearly draw time again. Posting this so that we can all communicate our annual victories/frustrations with the Montana draw system and clear up any confusion with rules/regs. If you're new to applying in the state, below are some of the ways that you can search for your results (draw is tenatively mid-April but we know how that works). Looking forward to seeing some nice bulls/cows in your success threads this fall, best of luck everyone.

(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

Hello again Everyone,

As everything is thawing out here in MT (or at least trying to), it's nearly draw time again. Posting this so that we can all communicate our annual victories/frustrations with the Montana draw system and clear up any confusion with rules/regs. If you're new to applying in the state, below are some of the ways that you can search for your results (draw is tenatively mid-April but we know how that works). Looking forward to seeing some nice bulls/cows in your success threads this fall, best of luck everyone.

(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

Three of us went in as a group and managed a general tag. I wasn't sure what to expect with zero points but the depletion of my bank account told me I was successful.

 

[Tman24]

Three of us went in as a group and managed a general tag. I wasn't sure what to expect with zero points but the depletion of my bank account told me I was successful.

You do know that you pay for the tag up front. If unsuccessful they will issue a refund for the tag cost.

 

[Clownbiscuit]

You do know that you pay for the tag up front. If unsuccessful they will issue a refund for the tag cost.

Yeah, my dumb was also occupied because the bank accout depletion was the day prior for a bighorn sheep tag so I was a bit distracted.

 

[Legend]

I just got a refund in the mail for $4.00 that says drawing refund but I drew a NR elk tag this year and that is all that i applied for... anyone know what this is for?

You drew a license. I bet you also applied for a permit. The $4 is a refund for not drawing the permit.