Montana Elk Hunting District 417
Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 417. 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 417
This hunting district is located on the western edge of the Missouri River Breaks, on the south side of the Missouri River. The rugged terrain provides ample opportunities for extensive foot travel and encourages hunters to spend significant time glassing the landscape. Bull elk requires a draw for both archery and rifle seasons.
Montana Elk Hunting Opportunities in HD 417
Archery Only Season
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Draw |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. Not Valid On National Forest Lands, FWP WMAs, Or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HDs 410 and 455 as listed under each HD. |
| Antlerless | Archery | — |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | Draw |
| 1st and only choice. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
| Either-sex | Archery | Draw |
| 1st and only choice. Only valid in HDs 417 and 426. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
| Either-sex | Archery | Draw |
| 1st and only choice. Only valid in HDs 417 and 426. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
General Season
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. Not Valid On National Forest Lands, FWP WMAs, Or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HDs 410 and 455 as listed under each HD. |
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | — |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. |
| Either-sex | — | Draw |
| 1st and only choice. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
Late Season
November 30, 2026 – February 15, 2027
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. Not Valid On National Forest Lands, FWP WMAs, Or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HDs 410 and 455 as listed under each HD. |
| Antlerless | — | — |
| Land: Only Valid South Of D-Y Trail To Intersection Of Knox Ridge Road, Then South Of Knox Ridge Road Thereafter. Not Valid West Of Stafford Ferry Rd. |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Draw |
| 1st and only choice. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
License and Permit Options
Elk B License: 004-00
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk B License: 417-02
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk Permit (417-21)
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
Elk Permit: 417-20
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
General Elk License
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Disabled hunters | OTC | $10.00 |
| Resident | Ages 12–17 and 62+; Youth and senior hunters | OTC | $10.00 |
| Resident | Ages 18–61 | OTC | $20.00 |
Draw Odds
Modeled first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Estimates are capped at 99.99% and do not represent a guaranteed draw.
Elk B License: 417-02 · 417-02 — Resident · Regular pool
Harvest Stats
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Harvest and Hunter Trends
Harvest Success
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)302
Latest Estimated Hunters (2024)662
Hunter Days (2024)4,997
Days per Hunter (2024)8
Harvest Success (2024)44.1%
Discover More
Montana Hunting Units
- Montana Antelope Hunting Units
- Montana Bear Hunting Units
- Montana Bobcat Hunting Units
- Montana Coyote Hunting Units
- Montana Crane Hunting Units
- Montana Dove Hunting Units
- Montana Duck Hunting Units
- Montana Elk Hunting Units
- Montana Fox Hunting Units
- Montana Grouse Hunting Units
- Montana Moose Hunting Units
- Montana Mountain Lion Hunting Units
- Montana Mule Deer Hunting Units
- Montana Other Hunting Units
- Montana Partridge Hunting Units
- Montana Pheasant Hunting Units
- Montana Quail Hunting Units
- Montana Rabbit Hunting Units
- Montana Sheep Hunting Units
- Montana Squirrel Hunting Units
- Montana Turkey Hunting Units
- Montana Waterfowl Hunting Units
- Montana Whitetail Hunting Units
- Montana Wolf Hunting Units
- Montana Gopher Hunting Units
Montana Elk HDs
- Montana Elk HD 121
- Montana Elk HD 215
- Montana Elk HD 217
- Montana Elk HD 291
- Montana Elk HD 301
- Montana Elk HD 312
- Montana Elk HD 315
- Montana Elk HD 317
- Montana Elk HD 323
- Montana Elk HD 335
- Montana Elk HD 380
- Montana Elk HD 390
- Montana Elk HD 391
- Montana Elk HD 393
- Montana Elk HD 400
- Montana Elk HD 400 (Bear)
- Montana Elk HD 410
- Montana Elk HD 411
- Montana Elk HD 412
- Montana Elk HD 413
- Montana Elk HD 413 (Elk)
- Montana Elk HD 426
- Montana Elk HD 447
- Montana Elk HD 515
- Montana Elk HD 516
- Montana Elk HD 525
- Montana Elk HD 535
- Montana Elk HD 580
- Montana Elk HD 590
- Montana Elk HD 621
- Montana Elk HD 690
- Montana Elk HD 700
- Montana Elk HD 701
- Montana Elk HD 702
- Montana Elk HD 704
- Montana Elk HD 320
- Montana Elk HD 400 Bear
- Montana Elk HD 413 Elk