Montana Elk Hunting District 535
Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 535. Review season dates, license options and draw odds, then browse available private-land hunts and book directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts in HD 535
Unit 535 is located in central Montana, north of Roundup and south of Winnett. It is bounded by the Musselshell River on the south and east, and is mostly private land. The Big Snowy Mountains are located just to the north, while the Little Snowy Mountains are in the northwest corner of the unit. This unit is a draw unit for elk. The elk population is primarily concentrated in the Little Snowy Mountains.
Montana Elk Opportunities in HD 535
Land closures: Big Snowy Mountains WMA Closed To All Hunting Dec 2 - May 14.
Early Season
August 15, 2026 – September 4, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
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: OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 502, 535, 555, 590, And A Portion Of HD 701 North Of The Yellowstone River, South Of Hwy 12, West Of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. 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. 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. 1st and only choice. Valid in HDs 502, 535, 555, 590 and a portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12, west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. 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 |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. 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 |
| 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: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. 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 | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| 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: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. Not Valid On FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or FWP WMAs. |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. 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 | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| 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 (005-00)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Elk B License | Nonresident | — | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $270.00 |
| Elk B License | Nonresident | Native | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $135.00 |
Elk B License (411-00)
| 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 (411-20)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit | 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 | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $9.00Application fee $5.00Application fee included in priceNonrefundable |
Elk Permit (595-21)
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Permit | 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 | 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 · 411-00 — Resident · Regular pool
License Quota (2026)1,200
Total Applicant Count (2026)1,106
Total Draw Success Count (2026)1,076
Frequently Asked Questions
For Montana HD 535, 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 license or permit needed to hunt elk in Montana HD 535 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk B License (residents and nonresidents; draw or over-the-counter, depending on the hunt) 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 535 includes early season from August 15 through September 4, 2026, archery season from September 5 through October 18, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, late season from November 30, 2026 through February 15, 2027, 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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