Spyro

You seem to have some amount of disposable income that will allow you to apply, and perhaps travel to and hunt a variety of states this year

Perhaps the economical situation for you would not be the same if you lived here, or in Idaho or Wyoming

Typically, Montana residents are not as economically well off as people from less rural settings-
I can attest to this personally as (like Elkcrazy8) I am a transplant from somewhere else (East Coast for me) and have taken around a 60% pay cut to move here. Do I consider myself worse off--hell no---I feel like I am much richer because I have the chance to experience the outdoors that most people just read about, But, have I made sacrifices--hell yeah---starting over in a new place, having to tighten my belt, being thosands of miles from life long friends and family. If you want to have the same rightful privileges as a resident---Move, and perhaps make those same sacrifices---although, with your attitude--you should think very carefully about it. And if your job, CA lifestyle, family, or whatever prohibit you then just be glad you have the opportunity to have the resources to possibly enjoy many different states and their hunting. Don't begrudge those who spend their lives here because they have better chances and pay less to enjoy their local resources--after all they choose to live here---you choose to live there.