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.
Land closures: Big Snowy Mountains WMA Closed To All Hunting Dec 2 - May 14.
August 15, 2026 – September 4, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | OTC |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless | — | — |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Archery | OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Archery | — |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. |
| Antlerless | — | OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | — | — |
| — |
| Either-sex | — | 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 | — | 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. |
November 30, 2026 – February 15, 2027
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| Land: Valid In HDs 411 And 535. Not Valid On FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | — | Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | — |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | — | OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or FWP WMAs. |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | OTC |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Muzzleloader | — |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | 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 | 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. |
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Nonresident | Native | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $135.00 |
| Nonresident | — | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $270.00 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Modeled first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Estimates are capped at 99.99% and do not represent a guaranteed draw.