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 Opportunities in HD 417
Archery Only Season
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | Resident: OTC Nonresident: 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. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: 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. |
| Either-sex | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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 | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: 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. |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: 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
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk B License: 417-02
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License: 417-02 | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Elk B License: 417-02 | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
Elk Permit (417-21)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit: 417-21 | 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: 417-21 | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
Elk Permit: 417-20
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit: 417-20 | 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: 417-20 | Nonresident | — | 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: 417-02 · 417-02 — Resident · Regular pool
License Quota (2026)50
Total Applicant Count (2026)183
Total Draw Success Count (2026)43
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%
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