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SPECIES GUIDE: ELK

REGULATIONS & MAPS
SEASONS

  • These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP’s online Hunt Planner for specific dates.

     

    2022 Elk Season Dates

    Archery
    September 3 – October 16

    General
    October 22 – November 27

     

    Backcountry (Hunting Districts 150, 151, 280, 316)

    Archery

    September 3 – September 14

    General

    September 15 – November 27

LICENSES

Elk — General

Details: License is valid for one elk. Hunters may hold only one general elk license, which can be used for elk as indicated under the “General Elk License” heading on the deer and elk hunting regulations. Montana residents 12-17, holders of a disabled resident conservation license, or residents 62 years and older may purchase this license for $10

Fees:

  • Resident: $20

  • Nonresident: N/A

 

Elk B — Drawing

Details: The B License is an Antlerless elk license valid during a specific time period and in a particular hunting district or group of districts. Applicants are required to pay full license fee. Cost includes $5 nonrefundable application fee.

Fees:

  • Resident: $25

  • Nonresident: $275

 

Elk B — Over the Counter

Fees:

  • Resident: $20

  • Nonresident: $270

 

Elk Combination — General

Details: Nonresidents applying for any other combination license may not apply. Includes a General Elk license and authorizes fishing and hunting of upland game birds, excluding turkey. Conservation with State Lands, Base Hunting and AISPP must be purchased separately. This license is included in the 17,000 quota of Big Game Elk/Deer Combination license.

Fees:

  • Resident: N/A

  • Nonresident: $934

 

Elk Permits

Details: The permit must be used with a general elk hunting license. A permit is not a second license and does not allow the holder to kill an additional animal. Rather, it expands the opportunity to hunt for a species in a particular hunting district allowing the hunter to harvest a bull, antlerless or either-sex elk. Residents must hold a valid general elk license to apply. Nonresidents must also apply for a big game or elk combination license to apply.

Fees:

  • Resident: $9

  • Nonresident: $9

 

Nonresident Montana Native Big Game Combination License

Details: For former resident who was born in Montana, with current resident relative, other qualifications apply. Conservation with State Lands, Base Hunting and AISPP must be purchased separately. Learn more about Nonresident Licenses.

Fees:

  • Resident: N/A

  • Nonresident: $554

 

Nonresident Montana Native Elk Combination License

Details: For former resident, who was born in Montana with current resident relative, other qualifications apply. Conservation with State Lands, Base Hunting and AISPP must be purchased separately. Learn more about Nonresident Licenses.

Fees:

  • Resident: N/A

  • Nonresident: $467

 

Come Home to Hunt – Big Game Combination

Details: To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct In-laws, who also holds a current years resident hunting license. Includes General Deer and Elk, Upland Game Bird and Fishing licenses. AISPP, Base Hunting and Conservation license must be purchased separately. A total of 500 are available. Learn more about Nonresident Licenses.

Fees:

  • Resident: N/A

  • Nonresident: $554

 

Come Home to Hunt – Elk Combination

Details: To qualify you must have previously hunted in Montana as a resident or hold a Montana hunter education certificate. This license requires a sponsor who is a Montana resident family member, including direct in-laws, who also holds a current years resident hunting license. Includes General Elk, Upland Game Bird, and Fishing license. Conservation with State Lands, Base Hunting and AISPP must be purchased separately. A total of 500 are available. Learn more about Nonresident Licenses.

Fees:

  • Resident: N/A

  • Nonresident: $467

SPECIES GUIDES

MONTANA OUTDOORS

Where to Hunt Elk in Montana

An insider’s guide for new hunters and nonresidents to locating the best spots this season.

Read The Article

Elk Hunting 

 

Elk (Cervus canadensis) are one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America and an icon of big-game hunting and conservation. 

The depletion of Montana’s wildlife, including the noticeable decline of elk herds on the landscape, during the 1800’s and early 1900’s inspired the beginning of Montana’s conservation movement during the first half of the 20th Century.

Today, Montana is home to one of the largest elk populations in the country.

Managing Montana’s elk populations at levels compatible with other land uses and meeting the current and future demand for hunting and other recreation has become increasingly complex, demanding increased comprehensive planning. FWP has operated under some form of elk plan since 1978. In 2005, Montana adopted a new, comprehensive elk plan. In 2020, a citizens group assembled to provide overarching elk management guidance for the state of Montana, including a forthcoming update to the state’s Elk Management Plan.

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