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Drawn WestAuthor: Drawn West with Brian Krebs
Drawn West is for the hunters who load the truck each fall chasing bugles, big country, and something deeper than just filling a tag. Host Brian Krebs dives into tag strategies, gear prep, and real-world advice to help non-resident hunters make the most of limited time out West. Each episode features expert guests and gritty stories from hunters youve never heard of the kind who get it done with one week, one tag, and no excuses. Language: en-us Genres: Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Montana Elk Application Strategy 2026
Tuesday, 17 March, 2026
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.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!2026New Mexico Application Strategy FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest0:00 – Intro0:45 – Montana Elk Application Deadline2:00 – New Preference Point Rule4:15 – Rising Elk Tag Prices6:30 – Grizzly Bears in Montana Units8:50 – Chronic Wasting Disease Concerns11:45 – How Montana’s Draw System Works16:30 – General Tags vs Limited Entry21:30 – Montana Elk Regions Explained26:00 – Best General Units to Start With30:20 – How to Find Hidden Gem Units34:40 – Strategy Based on Your Points39:30 – Final Montana Elk Application Advice
