Montana draw deadlines and rules

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you apply.

Application and draw dates

2026 nonresident combination license drawing

Opens: March 1, 2026, 5 a.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: April 1, 2026, 11:45 p.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 deer and elk permit applications

Deadline: April 1, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 Deer B and Elk B license drawings

Deadline: June 1, 2026 Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B licenses on sale

Opens: June 15, 2026 Changed for 2026. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 application dates

Opens: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Draw rules

Combo random: Montana offers three general hunting packages to nonresidents through a random computer drawing; an applicant may apply for only one combination license Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Combo quota: Elk Combination licenses are included in the 17,000 quota of Big Game Elk/Deer Combination licenses Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident ten percent: By state law, nonresidents are limited to, but not guaranteed, 10 percent of the license and/or permit quota Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 14. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
One license: Only one license or permit of any type may be bought each year unless otherwise specified (for example, a hunter may buy more than one Elk B license) Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 14. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Combo refund: $420.80 Option 607 lets nonresidents who are unsuccessful in the elk permit drawing return the elk tag for a partial refund ($420.80 for the elk portion) and keep the deer tag. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Montana elk and mule deer draw odds by unit: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.