Montana’s general elk license is one of the most flexible elk tags in the West. One license is good in every hunting district open to general elk hunting, for both the archery and general seasons. Permits and B licenses add options on top of it. Here is how the pieces fit.

The general elk license

• Residents buy it over the counter ($20 in 2026).
• Nonresidents get it by drawing an Elk Combination or Big Game Combination license. There is no over-the-counter general elk license for nonresidents.

With a general elk license (plus a bow and arrow license for archery-only seasons), you can hunt:

• Archery season (September 5 – October 18 in 2026) in districts open to general archery
• General season (October 24 – November 29 in 2026) in districts open to general rifle hunting
• Backcountry districts 150, 280, and 316, where the general season opens early, on September 15

What you can shoot, such as any bull, brow-tined bull, or either sex, depends on the hunting district. Read the district’s “General Elk License” line in the regulations.

Why it’s popular: You’re not locked into one unit. If elk aren’t where you planned, you can move to another general district. The downside: General districts on public land get heavy pressure, especially on opening weekend.

Special elk permits

Some hunting districts, or certain seasons and portions of districts, are limited. To hunt them you need a special elk permit in addition to your general elk license.

• A permit is not a second elk. It lets you use your general license in that district or season.
• A permit restricts you to the district or area printed on it for the type of elk listed.
• You apply by April 1, at the same time as your combination license. Nonresidents must apply for both.
• The $9 application fee is not refundable.
• Permits use bonus points, which are squared in the drawing. The best permit districts can take many years.

Permit districts tend to offer lower hunter numbers and older bulls. Some of the best-known are in the prairie and river breaks country of central and eastern Montana and in southwest Montana.

Elk B licenses (antlerless)

Elk B licenses are separate licenses for antlerless elk, so you can take a second animal.

Elk B (2026)	Nonresident	Resident
Drawing (deadline June 1)	$275	$25
Over the counter, in certain districts	$270	$20

Many B licenses are valid only on private land or during shoulder seasons, so read the district rules and line up access first.

Shoulder seasons

In many districts, FWP runs antlerless “shoulder seasons” before and after the regular seasons, anywhere from August 15 to February 15. They are mostly on private land and are meant to manage elk numbers. If you have private land access, they can extend your hunt.

General vs. permit at a glance

	General elk license	Special elk permit
Where	Any district open to general elk	One district or portion
How to get it	Combination draw (nonresidents)	Separate draw, bonus points
Hunter numbers	Higher	Lower
Bull quality	Mostly younger bulls	Often older bulls
Best for	Flexible trips, first hunts	Trophy hunts, archery in limited districts

Making a general license hunt work

• Hunt the archery season. It runs six weeks and covers the rut.
• Go deep. Montana’s wilderness areas are open to nonresidents without a guide. Getting a few miles past the trailhead makes a big difference.
• Use snow. Late November, after snow has pushed elk lower, can be the best time of the general season.
• Look at Block Management. FWP’s program opens private land that can hold elk, especially late in the season.
• Plan the pack-out. A drop camp or an outfitter with stock helps in the backcountry.

Related: How Montana draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Montana Elk Hunting Guide · How to apply for the elk draw · Season dates

License rules are from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for 2026. District rules change every year, so check the current FWP deer, elk, and antelope regulations before you apply.