Montana Elk Hunting Units & Draw Odds
139 units · 21.2% avg hunter success
Montana runs a bonus-point elk draw across 139 units, and nonresidents get 10% of the available tags. The 2026 draw opens March 1, with results on April 15—you'll pay a $5 app fee plus your tag fee ($1,112 for bull tags, $270 for antlerless). Montana's bonus system means even zero-point applicants can draw; our data below shows five units where that actually happened in 2024, with harvest success ranging from 13.1% to 23.6%. Unlike many western states, you don't need points to be in the game—but building points improves your odds in future years. We've pulled real draw results and success rates to help you decide which units fit your hunt.
How the Montana Draw Works
Draw system
Bonus points — each point multiplies your chances.
Nonresident allocation: 10% of tags
2026 application window
Mar 1 – —(nonresident)
Results: Apr 15
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$5 app · $65 license · $1112 tag · $20 point
Easiest Elk Draws for Nonresidents (2024 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
100% at zero points · B-Tag 00
100% at zero points · B-Tag 02
100% at zero points · B-Tag 01
100% at zero points · Permit 45
100% at zero points · Permit 45
100% at zero points · B-Tag 01
100% at zero points · B-Tag 00
100% at zero points · Permit 21 Archery
100% at zero points · Permit 21 Archery
100% at zero points · B-Tag 00
100% at zero points · Permit 21 Archery
100% at zero points · Permit 21 Archery
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 204 | — | 100%B-Tag 00 | 14.3% | 68% |
| Unit 215 | — | 100%B-Tag 02 | 13.1% | 52% |
| Unit 217 | — | 100%B-Tag 01 | 16.1% | 31% |
| Unit 262 | — | 100%Permit 45 | 23.6% | 5% |
| Unit 270 | — | 100%Permit 45 | 22.6% | 88% |
| Unit 293 | — | 100%B-Tag 01 | 9.6% | 61% |
| Unit 411 | — | 100%B-Tag 00 | — | 21% |
| Unit 412 | — | 100%Permit 21 Archery | 27.4% | 16% |
| Unit 502 | — | 100%Permit 21 Archery | 25.5% | 11% |
| Unit 535 | — | 100%B-Tag 00 | — | 19% |
| Unit 555 | — | 100%Permit 21 Archery | 20.3% | 69% |
| Unit 590 | — | 100%Permit 21 Archery | 27.2% | 10% |
All Montana Elk Units
Montana Elk Draw FAQ
Do I need bonus points to draw an elk tag in Montana?
No. Montana's bonus-point system lets you draw with zero points, though your odds improve as you accumulate them. In 2024, multiple units saw zero-point applicants draw tags—Units 204, 215, 217, 262, and 270 all had successful zero-point draws. Bonus points give you extra chances in the drawing, but they're not a barrier to entry.
When do nonresident Montana elk applications open and close?
Applications open March 1, 2026. For bull tags, there's no stated close date in the 2026 calendar; for antlerless tags, the deadline is April 1. Results come out April 15 for both.
How much does a Montana nonresident elk tag cost?
A nonresident bull elk tag is $1,112, and an antlerless tag is $270. Both require a $5 application fee on top of the tag fee.
What are realistic harvest success rates for Montana elk units?
Success varies by unit and hunt type. In 2024, the five units we reviewed showed harvest success between 13.1% and 23.6%. Unit 262 and Unit 270 were on the higher end at 23.6% and 22.6%, while Unit 215 was lower at 13.1%. Your success will depend on unit choice, experience, and conditions during your hunt.
Plan your Montana Elk hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level, see 2022–2024 data, and save units to compare.
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