Plan a whitetail hunt in Montana Hunting District 404. 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 general hunt unit is situated in northcentral Montana, where the majority of the land is used for dryland farming. The terrain is relatively flat, with only slight variations in the form of breaks in the landscape along major rivers and creeks. Despite the relatively unvaried topography, this area is known to be home to a number of good bucks.
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| One per hunter. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Either-sex | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| One per hunter. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Either-sex | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: OTC |
| One per hunter. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Deer B License | Nonresident | — | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $75.00 |
| Deer B License | Nonresident | Native | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $37.50 |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $15.00 |
| Deer B License | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $80.00 |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Deer License | Resident | Ages 18–61 | OTC | $16.00 |
| General Deer License | Resident | Disabled hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| General Deer License | Resident | Ages 12–17 and 62+; Youth and senior hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| 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 |
| Deer Combination - Drawing | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $760.00 |
| Deer Combination - College Student | Nonresident | College student | — | $380.00 |
| Deer Combination - Youth (12-17) - Sponsored | Nonresident | Ages 12–17; Youth hunters; Sponsored | — | $380.00 |
| NR Deer Combination License | Nonresident | Native | — | $380.00 |
Estimated first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Counts reflect first-choice applications and successful draws.
License Quota (2026)2,000
Total Applicant Count (2026)1,003
Total Draw Success Count (2026)1,003
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)503
For Montana HD 404, Deer B License 004-01 applications are due June 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents.
For Montana HD 404 in 2026, modeled first-choice draw odds for the Deer B License 004-01 with zero bonus points are 99.99 percent for nonresident regular applicants, 99.99 percent for resident landowner applicants, and 99.99 percent for resident regular applicants. These are modeled estimates, not guaranteed results.
The license or permit needed to hunt whitetail in Montana HD 404 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Deer B License (codes 004-00 and 004-01; residents and nonresidents; draw or over-the-counter, depending on the hunt) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Deer Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. General Deer 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.
Whitetail season in Montana HD 404 includes archery season from September 5 through October 18, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, and heritage muzzleloader season from December 12 through December 20, 2026. Check the current regulations for exact dates and license requirements.