Montana Elk Hunting District 590
Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 590. 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 590
Unit 590 is located east of Billings and south of Roundup, and includes the Bull Mountains to the north of the Yellowstone River and Pine Ridge to the south of the river. This unit offers a chance to hunt for branch antlered bulls, but hunters can also use a general tag to hunt for antlerless or spike deer.
Montana Elk Opportunities in HD 590
Early Season
August 15, 2026 – September 4, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. Valid In HD 590 And Portion Of HD 701 North Of The Yellowstone River, South Of Hwy 12, West Of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
Archery Only Season
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Valid In HD 590 And Portion Of HD 701 North Of The Yellowstone River, South Of Hwy 12, West Of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HD 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 |
| Valid in HD 590 and portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and 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 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. |
General Season
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Valid In HD 590 And Portion Of HD 701 North Of The Yellowstone River, South Of Hwy 12, West Of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in HD 590 and portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and 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 | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HD 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. |
Late Season
November 30, 2026 – February 15, 2027
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Land: Valid In HD 590 And Portion Of HD 701 North Of The Yellowstone River, South Of Hwy 12, West Of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in HD 590 and portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and 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 | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Valid In HD 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. |
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 Permit (590-20)
| 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 Permit · 590-20 — Resident · Regular pool
License Quota (2026)380
Total Applicant Count (2026)1,398
Total Draw Success Count (2026)300
Harvest Stats
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Harvest and Hunter Trends
Harvest Success
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)766
Latest Estimated Hunters (2024)2,494
Hunter Days (2024)18,625
Days per Hunter (2024)8
Harvest Success (2024)30.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
For Montana HD 590, Elk Permit 590-20/595-21 applications are due April 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents.
The elk harvest success rate in Montana HD 590 was 30.07 percent in 2024.
The license or permit needed to hunt elk in Montana HD 590 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk B License (code 005-00; resident and nonresident over-the-counter) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk Permit (codes 590-20 and 595-21; 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 590 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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