Montana elk hunting

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.

Over the counter or draw

Resident: Yes. Residents can buy the General Elk License over the counter Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: No for most. To get a General Elk License, nonresidents must draw a Big Game Combination or Elk Combination License in a random lottery Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: Elk B licenses are sold over the counter (resident $20, nonresident $270) and by drawing (June 1 deadline) Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Seasons

Archery

Starts: Sept. 5, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Oct. 18, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

General

Starts: Oct. 24, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Nov. 29, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Muzzleloader

Starts: Dec. 12, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Dec. 20, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Backcountry archery (HDs 150, 280, 316)

Starts: Sept. 5, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 11. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Sept. 14, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 11. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Backcountry general (HDs 150, 280, 316)

Starts: Sept. 15, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 11. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Nov. 29, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 11. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Shoulder seasons

Starts: Aug. 15 - Feb. 15, varying dates by district Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Varies by district Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 seasons

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

License and tag prices

Resident: $20 General elk license; youth/senior and disabled $10. Conservation and base hunting licenses extra. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 3. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: $1,112 NR Elk Combination (general elk, upland bird, season fishing). $1,184.50 with the $5 application, $10 conservation, $50 base hunting and $7.50 AIS pass. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $1,312 NR Big Game Combination (deer + elk); $1,384.50 total with prerequisites. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $556 NR Native Elk Combination (Montana-born with a current resident relative; other qualifications apply) Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 13. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $25 Resident Elk B by drawing (includes $5 application) Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $20 Resident Elk B over the counter Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 3. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $9 Resident elk permit ($5 application + $4 permit; general elk license required) Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $275 NR Elk B by drawing, including the $5 nonrefundable application fee Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $270 NR Elk B license fee Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

How to apply and limits

How to apply: Nonresidents apply online for a combination license March 1 - April 1 (2026 cycle); elk permits by April 1; Elk B drawing by June 1 Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Limit: Only one license or permit of any type each year unless otherwise specified; 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.

Deadlines

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.

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