Going into the 2024 drawing, outfitted clients will have the opportunity to purchase an additional preference point in the application year. (This was accomplished by Montana Outfitters & Guides Association (MOGA) as part of HB 637 and will afford stability in licensing for the outfitting industry).

Key Elements of Montana’s Preference Point Reform:

• • • Increases the cost of non-resident preference points from $50 to $100 each but also increases your chance to draw a permit, this generates additional revenue for Montana FWP and prices the Preference Point System appropriately with other states.
    • Returns the system of two preference points in two years, which will help clear the drawing pool more rapidly and return the desired predictability. Provides for the purchase of one preference point per year and allows up to a 2nd preference point for outfitted hunters going into the next season and may hold up to three Preference Points.
    • Establishes a use it or lose it condition by requiring consecutive license applications, which will help clear the pool more rapidly and return the desired predictability.
    • Allows those who applied to the general draw with preference points but were unsuccessful to be included in the alternate list for drawing. This is a simple fairness issue and corrects an oversight that excludes non-residents WITH preference points from the Alternate list drawing.