Montana Bonus and Preference Points Purchase 2023

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Montana is one of a handful of states that allows hunters to purchase points directly, outside of the standard draw windows for respective species. Hunters can purchase both bonus and preference points through the Montana fish game, though there are different dates depending on the type of points you are purchasing.

When is the Montana bonus and preference point deadline?

Dates are the same each year for the bonus and preference points purchase windows. For more information on how the points system works you can read our overview on the subject in the Montana hunting overview.

Montana bonus points dates and deadline

The bonus points window opens annually on July 1st and continues through September 30th. The 2023 dates are below, and you can track the application date and your points in the OnPoint app.

EventDate
Point Sale BeginsJuly 1st, 2023
Point Sale ClosesSeptember 30th, 2023

Montana preference points dates and deadline

The preference points window also opens annually on July 1st, but continues through December 31st. Dates for the 2023 window are below.

EventDate
Preference Point Sale BeginsJuly 1st, 2023
Preference Point Sale ClosesDecember 31st, 2023

What species can I acquire points for?

Montana allows purchase of all points types during the points purchase windows. A summary of the available points in Montana are below.

PointTypeResidency
NR Combo License Pref PointPreference PointNon-Resident
ElkBonus PointBoth
Elk BBonus PointBoth
DeerBonus PointBoth
Deer BBonus PointBoth
AntelopeBonus PointBoth
Antelope BBonus PointBoth
Antelope 900-20Bonus PointBoth
Mountain GoatBonus PointBoth
MooseBonus PointBoth
Mountain LionBonus PointBoth
Bighorn SheepBonus PointBoth
TurkeyBonus PointBoth
SwanBonus PointBoth
Sandhill CraneBonus PointBoth
PaddlefishBonus PointBoth

How much do Montana bonus and preference points cost?

Bonus point cost varies by species, and are summarized in the table below.

ItemResident PriceNon-Resident Price
Preference PointN/A$100.00
Elk, Antelope, Deer Bonus Points$15.00$25.00
Moose, Sheep, Goat Bonus Points$15.00$75.00

What is required to purchase points during the points-only periods?

Unlike purchases during normal draws, you do not need to have an active license to purchase points during the window. You only need to pay the required fee for the type of points you are buying.

About the Author: Danny

Danny
Danny is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He got into western big game hunting in 2016 and has been hooked ever since. He began hunting as a child in the bluff country of Western Wisconsin.

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