Application fee for resident and nonresident drawing is refunded by Montana FWP unless you select the points option ($2). Just to be clear, Montana residents purchase a general deer/elk license over the counter. Draw only areas are a lottery for both residents and nonresidents (10% for nonresidents is about right) and are designed to meet specific management requirements.
Might be a stretch to characterize outfitters "twisting" arms of landowners. In my area, many of the landowners are tired of policing their property and babysitting both residents and nonresidents. Certainly understandable that it is less complicated to deal with one entity with a vested interest. Given the vast public lands here, I might recommend taking a trip away from the heated seats and satellite radio.
