Montana Elk Hunting District 217
Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 217. Review season dates, license options, draw odds, and harvest data, then browse available private-land hunts and book directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts in HD 217
Located in west-central Montana, this district is about an hour east of Missoula. Established as a small sub-unit for the 2016 season, it primarily aims to manage deer and elk populations on private lands. Most tags for antlered animals are allocated through a drawing, while some "B" tags for antlerless deer and elk are available over the counter. The area is largely dominated by private land and ranches, which can present significant challenges for hunters. However, there is still public land available, offering excellent hunting opportunities.
Montana Elk Opportunities in HD 217
Early Season
August 15, 2026 – September 4, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid On Private Land Only. |
Archery Only Season
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| ArchEquip only. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid On Private Land Only. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
General Season
October 19, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| ArchEquip only. |
General Season
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid On Private Land Only. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC |
| Eligibility: General, PTHFV, Youth Resident hunters 75 years old and older may harvest an antlerless elk on private land. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: PTHFV, Youth |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid On Private Land Only. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
| Antlerless elk, Brow Tined Bull | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
License and Permit Options
Elk B License (217-01)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Elk B License | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk B License (217-02)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Elk B License | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk Permit: 217-10
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit: 217-10 | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
| Elk Permit: 217-10 | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
Elk Permit: 217-11
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit: 217-11 | Resident | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
| Elk Permit: 217-11 | Nonresident | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
General Elk License
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Resident | Ages 18–61 | OTC | $20.00 |
| General Elk License | Resident | Disabled hunters | OTC | $10.00 |
| General Elk License | Resident | Ages 12–17 and 62+; Youth and senior hunters | OTC | $10.00 |
| Big Game Combination - Drawing | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $1,312.00 |
| Big Game Combination - College Student | Nonresident | College student | — | $656.00 |
| Big Game Combination - Youth (12-17) - Sponsored | Nonresident | Ages 12–17; Youth hunters; Sponsored | — | $656.00 |
| NR Big Game Combination License | Nonresident | Native | — | $656.00 |
| Elk Combination - Drawing | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $1,112.00 |
| Elk Combination - College Student | Nonresident | College student | — | $556.00 |
| Elk Combination - Youth (12-17) - Sponsored | Nonresident | Ages 12–17; Youth hunters; Sponsored | — | $556.00 |
| NR Elk Combination License | Nonresident | Native | — | $556.00 |
Draw Odds
Estimated first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Counts reflect first-choice applications and successful draws.
Elk B License · 217-01 — Resident · Regular pool
License Quota (2026)160
Total Applicant Count (2026)193
Total Draw Success Count (2026)151
Harvest Stats
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Harvest and Hunter Trends
Harvest Success
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)105
Latest Estimated Hunters (2024)544
Hunter Days (2024)4,378
Days per Hunter (2024)8
Harvest Success (2024)16.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
For Montana HD 217, Elk Permit applications are due April 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents. Elk B License applications are due June 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents.
The elk harvest success rate in Montana HD 217 was 16.91 percent in 2024.
The license or permit needed to hunt elk in Montana HD 217 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk B License (resident and nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk Permit (resident and nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License, Conservation License, and General Elk License. General Elk License (resident over-the-counter) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Check the current regulations for the license and hunt you plan to pursue.
Elk season in Montana HD 217 includes early season from August 15 through September 4, 2026, archery season from September 5 through October 18, 2026, general season (Archery) from October 19 through November 29, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, and heritage muzzleloader season from December 12 through December 20, 2026. Check the current regulations for exact dates and license requirements.
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