Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 690. 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
This hunting district is located in the northcentral part of the state and includes the Bears Paw Mountain Range, which is located north of the Missouri River and south of the town of Havre. The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation is situated within the district, which presents challenges for both hunters and game managers. The Bears Paws are known for producing some of the top trophy bull elk in the state, with giant bulls being taken and trophy-class bulls being found every year. This is a very competitive draw unit for elk.
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
October 22, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Only youth ages 12-15. Only valid in HDs 620, 621, 622, 630, and 690. Only valid in HDs 620, 621, 622, 630, and 690. |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| 690-01 license holders may use General Elk License to harvest 2nd antlerless elk in the same area and for the same duration the 690-01 is valid. |
| 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. |
December 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| 690-01 license holders may use General Elk License to harvest 2nd antlerless elk in the same area and for the same duration the 690-01 is valid. |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Only youth ages 12-15. Only valid in HDs 620, 621, 622, 630, and 690. Only valid in HDs 620, 621, 622, 630, and 690. |
| 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 | 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 |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License | Resident | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $25.00 |
| Elk B License | Nonresident | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $275.00Application fee included in price |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Estimated first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Counts reflect first-choice applications and successful draws.
License Quota (2026)450
Total Applicant Count (2026)687
Total Draw Success Count (2026)397
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)349
Latest Estimated Hunters (2024)776
Hunter Days (2024)5,391
Days per Hunter (2024)7
Harvest Success (2024)33.1%
For Montana HD 690, 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 elk harvest success rate in Montana HD 690 was 33.12 percent in 2024.
The license or permit needed to hunt elk in Montana HD 690 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Elk B License (resident and nonresident draw) 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 690 includes archery season from September 5 through October 18, 2026, general season from October 22 through November 29, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, late season from December 6, 2026 through January 31, 2027, and heritage muzzleloader season from December 12 through December 20, 2026. Check the current regulations for exact dates and license requirements.
See the latest Field Notes from properties offering elk hunts in HD 690.











