Do Guided Elk Hunts Require Preference Points?

No.

A guided elk hunt doesn't automatically require preference points.

The elk license may require participation in a point-based draw.

For example, you might:

1. Draw a Colorado limited elk license using preference points.

2. Hire an outfitter to guide you after drawing.

Or you might:

1. Obtain an elk license that required zero preference points.

2. Hire an outfitter for the hunt.

Or you might hunt in a state such as Idaho or New Mexico where elk preference points don't exist.

The guide doesn't create the point requirement.

The tag system does.

Preference Points vs Bonus Points

These terms should not be used interchangeably.

What Are Preference Points?

A preference-point system generally gives greater priority to applicants with more points.

The exact mechanics vary by state.

In a true preference system, hunters with more points can receive priority over applicants with fewer points.

What Are Bonus Points?

Bonus points generally increase an applicant's chances in a random drawing rather than creating the same strict priority structure.

Again, the exact formula varies by state.

For example, Montana uses bonus points for applicable limited elk permits and squares those bonus points when determining entries in the drawing.

That is fundamentally different from Colorado's elk preference-point system.

Colorado Elk Preference Points

Colorado uses preference points for limited elk licenses.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, preference points give applicants priority for first-choice limited licenses in the primary draw.

Hunters can earn an elk preference point by:

• Unsuccessfully applying for a first-choice limited elk license in the primary draw

or

• Using the preference-point-only hunt code as their first choice.

Once you successfully draw your first-choice license, your accumulated elk preference points are used.

How Many Colorado Elk Points Do You Need?

There is no accurate statewide answer.

The original article said many desirable hunts require around 3–5 points and exclusive hunts require 6+.

That's far too broad.

Colorado elk hunts can historically require:

0 points

all the way to

well into double-digit point totals

depending on the hunt.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes draw recap reports showing:

• Hunt code

• Applicant numbers

• License quota

• Residency

• Preference-point distribution

• Draw results

That is the data hunters should use.

Don't rely on a generic statement such as:

"You need five points to hunt Colorado elk."

You need to research the exact hunt.

Colorado Hybrid Draw

Colorado also has a hybrid draw that provides an additional random opportunity for certain highly sought-after licenses.

Under the current system, qualifying hybrid hunt codes must have taken at least 10 resident preference points to draw in the previous primary draw and have at least five licenses available in the current primary draw.

Eligible applicants need at least five preference points.

This creates a limited random opportunity for hunters who otherwise may not have enough points to draw through normal preference-point priority.

But it applies only to qualifying hunt codes.

Does Hiring a Colorado Outfitter Reduce the Points You Need?

Generally, no.

Hiring an outfitter doesn't change the preference-point requirement of the same standard public-draw hunt code.

A guide may provide:

• Scouting

• Local knowledge

• Camp

• Calling

• Glassing

• Access knowledge

• Meat recovery

But the outfitter doesn't magically turn a high-point public license into a zero-point license.

Colorado does have other mechanisms, including landowner vouchers and Ranching for Wildlife opportunities, but those need to be researched separately from the standard public draw.

Montana Elk Points

Montana is where hunters need to be particularly careful with terminology.

Montana uses both:

Preference points

and

Bonus points.

They apply to different parts of the licensing system.

Montana Preference Points

Montana preference points apply to the nonresident Combination License drawing.

Under the current system:

75% of nonresident Combination Licenses are awarded based on preference-point priority.

The remaining:

25% are randomly awarded among applicants with zero preference points.

Montana currently caps preference points at three.

That means the original claim that Montana guided elk hunters generally need 4–6 preference points is incorrect.

You can't simply accumulate six Montana Combination License preference points under the current system.

Montana Outfitter Preference Point

Montana has a particularly relevant rule for guided hunters.

Under the current system, qualifying outfitter clients may purchase a second preference point for an additional fee when applying for a nonresident Combination License.

A license obtained using that additional outfitter point is valid only while hunting with the outfitter.

This is one of the situations where being an outfitted hunter can directly affect your licensing pathway.

Montana Bonus Points for Limited Elk Permits

Montana's limited elk permits are different.

Bonus points apply to applicable limited elk permit drawings.

Montana squares accumulated bonus points before the drawing.

So a hunter shouldn't ask:

"How many Montana elk preference points does Unit X require?"

without first determining whether they're talking about:

• The nonresident Combination License

or

• A limited elk permit.

They're separate systems.

Wyoming Elk Preference Points

Wyoming uses preference points for nonresident full-price elk applicants.

Residents don't use elk preference points.

Under Wyoming's current nonresident elk drawing structure:

75% of applicable licenses are allocated through the preference-point portion.

25% are allocated through the random portion.

That distinction matters enormously.

Can You Draw Wyoming Elk With Zero Points?

Yes.

Zero points doesn't necessarily mean zero chance.

A nonresident applicant can potentially draw through the random portion.

The actual probability depends on:

• Hunt area

• Regular vs Special application

• Applicant demand

• License quota

• Year

Some hunts may still be extremely difficult in the random portion.

But zero-point applicants can have a path to certain licenses.

How Many Wyoming Elk Points Do You Need?

Again, there isn't one statewide number.

Some hunts can be obtained with relatively few points.

Other highly demanded licenses can require significantly more.

And because part of the allocation is random, a hunter may potentially draw without having the point total historically required in the preference portion.

Research:

Hunt area + residency + Regular/Special + year + point total.

Idaho Elk Preference Points

Here's one of the most important corrections to the original article:

Idaho does not have an elk preference-point system.

You cannot accumulate four Idaho elk preference points.

They don't exist.

Idaho's controlled hunt drawings don't give applicants priority for having applied unsuccessfully in previous years.

Historical draw odds are still useful.

But those statistics describe previous drawings—not point requirements.

Can You Hunt Guided Elk in Idaho With Zero Points?

Yes.

Because everybody effectively has zero points.

Idaho hunters should research:

• General elk opportunities

• Nonresident general tag drawing

• Controlled hunts

• Elk zones

• A/B tag structure

• Outfitter-allocated tags

rather than trying to build points.

Idaho Outfitter-Allocated Elk Tags

Idaho is particularly relevant to guided hunters because the state maintains outfitter-allocated tags within portions of its nonresident system.

That creates another example where:

guided hunt

doesn't necessarily mean:

build preference points.

Instead, hunters should ask the outfitter exactly what tag pathway applies.

TAGZ's Idaho Roots

TAGZ was started by hunters, guides and outfitters with firsthand Western hunting experience, including guiding and outfitting roots in Idaho.

Idaho is a perfect example of why TAGZ focuses on understanding individual state systems rather than giving hunters generic advice such as:

"Just build points."

You can't build Idaho elk preference points.

The strategy has to fit the state.

Learn more about TAGZ through About TAGZ.

New Mexico Elk Preference Points

New Mexico is another major correction.

New Mexico does not use preference or bonus points for its public elk drawing.

Applications are randomly assigned sequence numbers and processed under the state's quota system.

A first-time applicant can potentially draw.

A hunter who's applied unsuccessfully for 15 years doesn't receive additional priority simply because they've applied longer.

Can You Hunt Guided Elk in New Mexico With Zero Points?

Yes.

Everyone enters without preference points because New Mexico doesn't use them.

But New Mexico has another important system for guided hunters.

New Mexico 10% Outfitter Pool

Under the current New Mexico draw structure, applicable licenses are allocated with a minimum of:

84% — New Mexico residents

10% — residents or nonresidents contracted with qualifying New Mexico outfitters

6% — nonresidents not contracted with an outfitter for purposes of that draw pool

This is commonly known as the:

84/10/6 allocation.

The 10% outfitter pool is still a random draw.

It isn't a guaranteed tag.

Is the New Mexico Outfitter Pool Always Better?

No.

Don't assume:

10% allocation = better odds than 6%.

The number of applicants competing for each allocation matters.

For a particular hunt, the outfitter pool may be more or less competitive than another pool.

Compare actual historical applicant and license numbers.

Guided Elk Hunts With Zero Preference Points

Yes, there are many potential guided elk opportunities for hunters with zero points.

Depending on current regulations and availability, possibilities can include:

• Colorado zero-point limited hunts

• Colorado qualifying OTC elk opportunities

• Wyoming random-draw opportunities

• Montana general opportunities

• Idaho general and controlled opportunities

• Idaho outfitter-allocated tags

• New Mexico random-draw hunts

• New Mexico outfitter-pool applications

• Private-land and landowner pathways in certain states

Having zero points doesn't mean you can't go elk hunting.

It means you need a different strategy.

Do Guided Hunts Require More Points Than DIY Hunts?

No.

This is another misconception.

Suppose a Colorado hunt code historically required six preference points.

If you draw that hunt:

You can hunt DIY.

Or you can hire a guide.

The point requirement doesn't change because you hired an outfitter.

The exception is when a state has a separate outfitter-related licensing mechanism, such as Montana's outfitter preference-point provision, New Mexico's outfitter pool or Idaho's outfitter allocations.

Those need to be evaluated individually.

Does an Outfitter Have Reserved Elk Tags?

Sometimes.

But not universally.

This is highly state-specific.

Examples include:

Idaho: Outfitter-allocated nonresident tags exist.

New Mexico: Qualifying outfitted applicants compete in a dedicated 10% public-draw allocation, but the outfitter doesn't simply own those public-draw licenses.

Montana: Qualifying outfitter clients can currently purchase an additional preference point for the nonresident Combination License drawing.

Other private-land and landowner systems exist throughout the West.

Always ask:

What exact license am I hunting on?

What Is Point Creep?

Point creep occurs when the historical number of preference points associated with drawing a particular license increases over time.

For example:

A hunt might historically draw at:

5 points

then:

6 points

then:

7 points.

That can happen when demand grows faster than license availability.

But point creep isn't guaranteed to move upward every year.

Quotas and applicant behavior can change.

Should You Keep Building Elk Points?

Sometimes.

But accumulating points without a specific strategy can leave hunters waiting indefinitely for a hunt they may never draw.

Instead, decide what you're actually trying to accomplish.

Ask:

Do I want to hunt elk soon?

or

Am I willing to wait for one specific high-demand hunt?

Those are different strategies.

The Three-Bucket Elk Strategy

One way to think about Western applications is to divide opportunities into three categories.

Hunt Now

Opportunities you can realistically obtain now or with very few points.

Build Toward

Hunts you're reasonably positioned to draw after additional years of point accumulation.

Long Shot

Highly competitive hunts you may pursue through random components or long-term point strategies without assuming you'll ever draw.

This keeps hunters from treating every state as:

"Build points until someday."

Don't Chase a Point Number

Instead of asking:

"How many points do I need?"

ask:

"What did applicants with my residency and point total experience in recent drawings for this exact hunt?"

That's much more useful.

For example:

Colorado

Research exact hunt code + residency + point level.

Wyoming

Research exact hunt area + Regular/Special + point level.

Montana

Separate Combination License preference points from limited permit bonus points.

Idaho

Research draw odds, not preference points.

New Mexico

Research random draw statistics, not preference points.

Using TAGZ to Analyze Elk Draw Opportunities

TAGZ helps hunters research Western draw opportunities using historical draw and unit-level information.

Hunters can evaluate opportunities based on:

• State

• Species

• Residency

• Point total where applicable

• Weapon

• Season

• License type

• Historical draw information

• Unit characteristics

That distinction—where applicable—is important.

TAGZ isn't built around pretending every Western state uses the same point system.

Explore how the platform works through TAGZ Product.

How to Use Historical Draw Odds

Historical draw information should help answer:

What happened previously?

It shouldn't be presented as:

What will definitely happen next year?

Draw odds can change because of:

• Applicant demand

• License quota

• Regulation changes

• Point creep

• Nonresident allocation

• New hunt structures

Use historical data as a planning tool.

Not a guarantee.

Preference Points Don't Guarantee a Successful Hunt

Drawing the license is only step one.

Preference points don't determine whether you'll kill an elk.

Once you have the tag, hunting success can depend on:

• Elk population

• Weather

• Hunting pressure

• Season

• Access

• Terrain

• Physical conditioning

• Outfitter quality

• Hunter ability

Keep:

draw success

and

harvest success

separate.

Is It Worth Waiting 10+ Years for an Elk Tag?

That's a personal decision.

A highly limited license may provide:

• Lower hunting pressure

• Different age structure

• Different season timing

• A unique hunting experience

But waiting longer doesn't automatically guarantee a better hunt.

A hunter could potentially take several excellent elk trips during the same period they spend waiting for one extremely difficult license.

Decide whether your priority is:

hunting elk

or

hunting one specific opportunity.

How many preference points are needed for a guided elk hunt?

There is no universal requirement. Depending on the state and hunt, a hunter may need zero points, several points or more than 10 points. Idaho and New Mexico don't use elk preference points at all.

Does hiring an elk guide reduce the number of points needed?

Usually no. The point requirement belongs to the hunting license or hunt code, not the guide. Some states have separate outfitter-related licensing pathways.

Which states use preference points for elk?

Colorado uses preference points for limited elk licenses. Wyoming uses preference points for nonresident full-price elk applicants. Montana uses preference points for the nonresident Combination License but bonus points for applicable limited elk permits.

Which elk states don't use preference points?

Idaho and New Mexico do not use elk preference points.

Can you draw an elk tag with zero points?

Yes. Numerous Western elk opportunities can be drawn or obtained with zero preference points, depending on the state, hunt and year.

Do guided elk hunts have separate draw odds?

Usually not simply because they're guided. However, New Mexico has an outfitter draw allocation, Idaho has outfitter-allocated tags and Montana currently has an outfitter preference-point provision for qualifying nonresident Combination License applicants.

FAQ — Elk Preference Points and Guided Hunts

How many preference points do I need for a guided elk hunt?

There is no single number. Requirements depend on the exact state, hunt, residency and licensing system. Some guided elk hunts require zero points.

Do all Western states use elk preference points?

No. Idaho and New Mexico don't use elk preference points.

Does Colorado use elk preference points?

Yes. Colorado uses preference points for applicable limited elk licenses in the primary draw.

How many Colorado preference points do I need for elk?

It depends on the exact hunt code and residency. Historical requirements can range from zero to well into double digits for highly demanded hunts.

Does Montana use preference points for elk?

Montana uses preference points for the nonresident Combination License drawing. It uses bonus points for applicable limited elk permit drawings.

Can I have six Montana preference points?

Under the current nonresident Combination License system, no. Montana currently caps preference points at three.

Does Wyoming use elk preference points?

Yes, for nonresident full-price elk applicants. Wyoming currently distributes 75% of applicable nonresident licenses through the preference-point portion and 25% through the random portion.

Can I draw Wyoming elk with zero points?

Yes. Zero-point applicants can potentially draw through the random portion or obtain less-demanded opportunities, depending on the hunt.

Does Idaho use elk preference points?

No.

Does New Mexico use elk preference points?

No.

Does New Mexico have an outfitter draw?

Yes. Under the current system, 10% of applicable public-draw licenses are allocated to residents and nonresidents contracted with qualifying New Mexico outfitters. It's still a random drawing.

Do guided hunts require more points than DIY hunts?

No. If the same license can be hunted DIY or guided, its point requirement doesn't change simply because you hire an outfitter.

Can an outfitter guarantee an elk tag?

Not universally. Some outfitters may have access to specific allocated or private-land opportunities, but the exact licensing mechanism needs to be verified.

Should I keep building points or hunt now?

That depends on your goals. Hunters who primarily want to hunt elk may benefit from pursuing lower-point or random opportunities while maintaining long-term strategies elsewhere.

Can TAGZ show which elk hunts fit my point total?

TAGZ helps hunters research Western draw opportunities using historical draw information, point levels where applicable and unit-level data.

Continue Planning Your Elk Application

The biggest mistake is asking:

"How many points do I need for a guided elk hunt?"

without identifying the tag.

Start with:

State

Residency

Species

Weapon

Season

Hunt code or area

Current points

Then research the historical drawing.

Use TAGZ to research Western elk draw opportunities and historical information.

Explore additional draw and application strategy through TAGZ Insights.

See how TAGZ works through TAGZ Product.

Learn more about the hunters, guides and outfitters behind TAGZ through About TAGZ.

For official regulations and draw information, verify the current rules with:

• Colorado Parks and Wildlife

• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

• Idaho Fish and Game

• Wyoming Game & Fish Department

• New Mexico Department of Wildlife

TAGZ uses historical draw information as a planning tool. Historical results don't guarantee future drawing success. Point systems, quotas, outfitter allocations and application rules can change. Always verify current regulations with the applicable wildlife agency before applying, booking or hunting.