To hunt in the great state of Montana, you must apply for the General Big Game Combination license through the general draw. The prices are listed above (plus an online convenience fee of $30.00). The online application is open beginning March 1. Sun Canyon Lodge suggests that you apply before March 20, of the hunting year.
The application is available at the Fish Wildlife & Parks website below. Click below for a direct link.
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/nonresidentCombo.html
* Click on the “ONLINE LICENSING SYSTEM” and continue with the remaining steps.
* You are not applying for a Special Elk Permit. We are in a general area. (This is the only confusing question on the application.)
*The General Big Game Combination License (elk and deer tags) will cost $1,278. If you choose to purchase the General Big Game Elk License (elk only tag—you are not planning on hunting deer) it will be $1078. Please note the $30 convenience fee as well as the additional Preference Points
* UP TO FIVE PEOPLE CAN APPLY AS A PARTY…PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL OF THE PARTY PICK THE SAME REFUND OPTION OR YOUR APPLICATIONS WILL HAVE AN ERROR.
These licenses will be issued through a random computer drawing. IT IS CRITICAL/MANDATORY THAT YOU PURCHASE THE PREFERENCE POINT TO ENSURE DRAW SUCCESS. … This will cost $100!.
Those that go into the draw with THREE preference points…100% success! Two preference points…80% opportunity. No preference point…less than 54% opportunity. IT IS CRITICAL EACH INDIVIDUAL HUNTER PURCHASE ALL AVAILABLE PREFERENCE POINTS.
The drawing results will be posted online April 15. Please let me know your status as soon as possible.
To quickly review draw results, click on the site below.
Successful applicants will be informed by email. PLEASE USE A WORKING EMAIL ADDRESS! Once successful, hunters will print their tags and licenses.
-IF A HUNTER ALREADY HAS TWO PREFERENCE POINTS BANKED, THEY WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ONE POINT WHEN LICENSING THIS SEASON. WE WANT OUR HUNTERS TO HAVE TWO PREFERENCE POINTS AT LEAST AND THREE AT BEST!
-YOU MAY PURCHASE THE OUTFITTER PREFERENCE POINT THIS YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR PREFERENCE POINT! YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW THE OUTFITTER’S NAME AND LICENSE NUMBER. SEE BELOW:
Joshua Carlbom 7013
We will verify you are on our hunting roster prior to deadline.
**If you have any questions or need assistance with the online licensing process, please do not hesitate to contact us via telephone before submitting your application.
In the past three years there has been a huge increase in big game hunting in Montana. For this reason, drawing a tag has become more difficult. As always, Sun Canyon Lodge is here to help our hunters draw tags and keep you up to date on changes. Below you will find the latest changes in preference points. Sun Canyon Lodge suggests that to increase your chances of drawing, that people start planning their hunting trips at least 1.5 years in advance. The information shared below came directly from FWP at the recent MOGA Convention. FWP is working on updating their website, but is still in the process, so some of the changes you will read about in this newsletter are not yet reflected on the FWP website.
Preference points are used for nonresident combination licenses and increase the likelihood of obtaining a Combination license. In a preference point system, licenses are awarded to applicants with the greatest number of preference points.
Guided Hunters
If you are hunting with an outfitter on a guided trip you are eligible to purchase two points at the time of application (regular point and outfitter point).
Parties
Up to 5 applicants may apply as a party. FWP shall use an average of the number of preference points accumulated by those applicants to determine the party’s preference points. FWP shall consider any fraction that result from the calculation of an average when determining that priority.
Purchasing Preference Points
Preference points for a nonresident big game, elk or deer combination license may be purchased for a nonrefundable fee of $100.
Preference points can be purchased:
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.
2025 Hunting License Costs
Josh & Niki Carlbom 406-562-3654
Fish, Wildlife & Parks 406-444-2950
