Montana Elk Hunting District 701
Plan an elk hunt in Montana Hunting District 701. 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 701
This hunting district is located in east-central Montana, just north of Miles City. The area features a mix of state, BLM, and private lands, making access challenging; however, many ranches participate in Montana’s Block Management program, allowing hunters entry to private properties. The average elk harvested is typically a raghorn. While competition can be intense, the large game populations mean that knowledgeable hunters should have little trouble filling their tags. Elk hunting for branch-antlered bulls is restricted to permit holders in the southwestern corner of the district, while spikes and cows are available on a general tag throughout the area.
Montana Elk Opportunities in HD 701
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. 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 |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Land. Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. 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 |
| Land: Valid In All Region 7 HDs. Valid in all Region 7 HDs. |
| 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 | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Only valid outside the portion of HD 701 north of Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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 |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or CMR Refuge. Valid In All Region 7 HDs. Not valid on National Forest lands or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 7 HDs. |
| 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 |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Only valid outside the portion of HD 701 north of Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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 |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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 |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
Heritage Muzzleloader Season
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Not Valid On National Forest Lands Or CMR Refuge. Valid In All Region 7 HDs. Not valid on National Forest lands or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 7 HDs. |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| Antlerless, Spike Bull | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Only valid outside the portion of HD 701 north of Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. |
| 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 B License (007-00)
| 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 (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 B License · 007-00 — Resident · Regular pool
License Quota (2026)800
Total Applicant Count (2026)1,046
Total Draw Success Count (2026)702
Harvest Stats
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Harvest and Hunter Trends
Harvest Success
Latest Estimated Harvest (2012)47
Latest Estimated Hunters (2012)300
Hunter Days (2012)1,450
Days per Hunter (2012)5
Harvest Success (2012)15.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
For Montana HD 701, 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 701 was 15.67 percent in 2012.
The license or permit needed to hunt elk in Montana HD 701 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 701 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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