Hunters who did not apply in 2026 for a license or permit can purchase a preference point and/or bonus point beginning today, July 1.
As a reminder, preference points are used for drawing Nonresident Combination Licenses. Preference points move you ahead in line for the drawing. Hunters with the most preference points are drawn before hunters with fewer preference points. However, 25 percent of Nonresident Combination Licenses are issued through a random drawing to applicants who have no preference points. Any accumulated preference points are lost when the hunter draws a Nonresident Combination License or if they do not apply in consecutive years.
Bonus points are used in other drawings. They offer additional chances of being drawn for a first-choice license or permit for a given species. Bonus points are only used in first-choice drawings. Unlike preference points, bonus points do not guarantee a license or permit to the applicants with the most bonus points.
Think of bonus points as extra raffle tickets. If you apply for a license or permit without any bonus points, you get one “raffle ticket.” The number of “raffle tickets” you have in the drawing goes up with the number of bonus points you have.
Points and chances can be purchased online at FWP’s Online Licensing Service, at a License Ambassador location or at any FWP office that offers license sales. Most FWP offices with license sales are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. FWP offices will be closed July 3.
For more information about preference points and bonus points, click here.
