Montana elk is one of the best opportunities in the West — IF you can figure out the draw system.

In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down everything you need to know about applying for Montana elk in the 2026 application season. Montana is one of the most popular elk states for non-resident hunters, but it also has one of the most complicated draw systems in the West.

Brian walks through the April 1 application deadline, major 2026 rule changes, rising tag costs, and the new rule that Montana will purge preference points if you skip a year applying. He also explains how Montana’s two-tier system works — preference points for general tags and bonus points for limited entry permits — and why planning your strategy 2–3 years ahead matters.

You’ll also hear a breakdown of Montana’s elk regions, population trends, drought conditions, and how to find a good general unit using harvest data, public land filters, and terrain analysis.

Whether you’re applying for the first time or deciding how to use a stack of bonus points, this episode lays out a clear strategy for navigating one of the most confusing draws in Western hunting.

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Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest0:00 – Intro

0:45 – Montana Elk Application Deadline

2:00 – New Preference Point Rule

4:15 – Rising Elk Tag Prices

6:30 – Grizzly Bears in Montana Units

8:50 – Chronic Wasting Disease Concerns

11:45 – How Montana’s Draw System Works

16:30 – General Tags vs Limited Entry

21:30 – Montana Elk Regions Explained

26:00 – Best General Units to Start With

30:20 – How to Find Hidden Gem Units

34:40 – Strategy Based on Your Points

39:30 – Final Montana Elk Application Advice