Montana runs two different draws. Limited-entry elk and deer permits, Elk B / Deer B licenses and all antelope licenses are drawn with a squared bonus-point system: every application gets one chance plus your accumulated bonus points squared, first choice only, and nonresidents are capped at 10% of each district's quota after a 15% landowner-preference stage. Before a nonresident can hunt deer or elk at all they must draw a General Combination license (Big Game/Elk combo, 17,000 cap; Deer combo, 4,600 unreserved) in a separate preference-point draw where 75% go to the highest point holders and 25% to zero-point applicants at random. The full combination license fee ($1,312 Big Game, $1,112 Elk, $760 Deer in 2026) is paid when you apply and refunded if you are unsuccessful; applications open March 1 and close April 1 for combinations and deer/elk permits, June 1 for B licenses and antelope, May 1 for moose, sheep, goat and bison. Moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and the limited mountain lion licence are drawn on the same squared bonus-point system, with a seven-year wait after a successful draw for moose, sheep and goat; bison and the special turkey licence are drawn purely at random.
Every figure below cites the agency document it came from. Last verified August 31, 2026.
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117; 87-2-113(2)(b); 87-2-506(2); FWP Licenses & Permits FAQ (landowner preference 15%, 160 acres) · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 75 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 25 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.
MCA 87-2-115(5)-(7); 87-2-510(2); 87-2-511(1),(5); 87-2-512 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117; 87-2-113(2)(a); ARM 12.3.105 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 75 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 25 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.
MCA 87-2-115(2)-(7); 87-2-505(2); 87-2-511(5)-(6); 87-2-714(1); FWP bonus-points page · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117(2)-(4),(7); 87-2-113(2); 87-2-705(1),(4); 87-2-506(2); ARM 12.3.135 (renumbered 12.3.603 in 2022) · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117; 87-2-113(2)(a); 87-2-705(4); ARM 12.3.105 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-702(4)(a); 87-2-117(7); 87-2-113(1)(b),(2); ARM 12.3.116 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117; 87-2-706(1); 87-2-113(2)(b); 87-2-506(2) · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-117; 87-2-706; ARM 12.3.105 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
2025 Mountain Lion regulations, Limited Mountain Lion License · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
2021 Spring Turkey regulations, Special Drawing Turkey License · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-702(4)(a),(4)(b); 87-2-117(7); ARM 12.3.116 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant gets points² + 1 entries in a random draw, so more points mean more chances — but never a guarantee.
MCA 87-2-702(4)(a); 87-2-117(7); ARM 12.3.116 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
2026 Moose, Sheep, Goat and Bison regulations, Bison Specific Information · verified Aug 31, 2026
Showing nonresident fees. Switch to resident
| Fee | Amount | Paid at application | Refundable | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee, Bighorn Sheep (nonrefundable, per species) (Bighorn Sheep) | $50 | Yes | No | 87-2-113(1)(b); 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 'There is a $10 resident/$50 nonresident nonrefundable application fee required with the application' |
| Application fee, Bison (nonrefundable, per species) (Bison) | $50 | Yes | No | 87-2-113(1)(b); 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 'There is a $10 resident/$50 nonresident nonrefundable application fee required with the application' |
| Application fee, Moose (nonrefundable, per species) (Moose) | $50 | Yes | No | 87-2-113(1)(b); 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 'There is a $10 resident/$50 nonresident nonrefundable application fee required with the application' |
| Application fee, Mountain Goat (nonrefundable, per species) (Mountain Goat) | $50 | Yes | No | 87-2-113(1)(b); 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 'There is a $10 resident/$50 nonresident nonrefundable application fee required with the application' |
| Application fee per species (deer, elk, antelope and mountain lion drawings) | $5 | Yes | No | 87-2-113(1)(a) |
| Bow and arrow license (Class A-2; required for archery-only seasons/districts) | $10 | If drawn | No | MCA 87-2-708 Class A-2 -- special bow and arrow license |
| Base hunting license (annual, assessed with first hunting license or application) | $50 | Yes | No | MCA 87-2-116 Base hunting license prerequisite for other hunting licenses -- fee |
| Conservation license (prerequisite for all licenses) | $10 | Yes | No | Hunting Requirements (conservation license, base hunting license, bow license) |
| General Big Game Combination license (Class B-10: deer + elk tags + fishing + upland bird) - replaces the separate Elk and Deer Combination rows for a hunter who applies for both species | $1,312 | If drawn | Yes | MCA 87-2-505 Class B-10 -- nonresident big game combination license |
| General Deer Combination license (Class B-11: deer tag + fishing + upland bird); alternative to the Big Game Combination (White-tailed / Mule Deer) | $760 | Yes | Yes | MCA 87-2-510 Class B-11 -- nonresident deer combination license |
| General Elk Combination license (elk tag + fishing + upland bird); alternative to the Big Game Combination (Elk) | $1,112 | Yes | Yes | Nonresident License Fees (2026) |
| Bonus point only (no application), Bighorn Sheep (July 1 - Sept 30) (Bighorn Sheep) | $75 | If drawn | No | 87-2-117(5)(b) 'except that the fee is $75 for moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep, and wild buffalo or bison' |
| Bonus point only (no application), Bison (July 1 - Sept 30) (Bison) | $75 | If drawn | No | 87-2-117(5)(b) 'except that the fee is $75 for moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep, and wild buffalo or bison' |
| Bonus point only (no application) (July 1 - Sept 30, per species) | $25 | If drawn | No | 87-2-117(5)(b) |
| Bonus point only (no application), Moose (July 1 - Sept 30) (Moose) | $75 | If drawn | No | 87-2-117(5)(b) 'except that the fee is $75 for moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep, and wild buffalo or bison' |
| Bonus point only (no application), Mountain Goat (July 1 - Sept 30) (Mountain Goat) | $75 | If drawn | No | 87-2-117(5)(b) 'except that the fee is $75 for moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep, and wild buffalo or bison' |
| Bonus point bought with a Bighorn Sheep application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) (Bighorn Sheep) | $20 | If drawn | No | 87-2-113(2)(b) - the same $20 for every species; listed per species so the $75 point-only row below does not displace it |
| Bonus point bought with a Bison application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) (Bison) | $20 | If drawn | No | 87-2-113(2)(b) - the same $20 for every species; listed per species so the $75 point-only row below does not displace it |
| Bonus point bought with a Moose application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) (Moose) | $20 | If drawn | No | 87-2-113(2)(b) - the same $20 for every species; listed per species so the $75 point-only row below does not displace it |
| Bonus point bought with a Mountain Goat application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) (Mountain Goat) | $20 | If drawn | No | 87-2-113(2)(b) - the same $20 for every species; listed per species so the $75 point-only row below does not displace it |
| Bonus point bought with an application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) | $20 | If drawn | No | 87-2-113(2)(b) |
| Preference point for nonresident combination licenses (one per year; second point $100 with outfitter affidavit; July 1 - Dec 31 if not applying) | $100 | If drawn | No | MCA 87-2-115 Nonresident elk and deer license preference point system |
| Antelope B license (doe/fawn) (Pronghorn) | $200 | If drawn | No | Nonresident License Fees (2026) |
| Antelope license (either-sex, special drawing) (Pronghorn) | $200 | Yes | No | MCA 87-2-701 Special licenses (fees) |
| Deer B license (antlerless deer) (White-tailed / Mule Deer) | $75 | If drawn | No | Nonresident License Fees (2026) |
| Elk B license (antlerless elk) (Elk) | $270 | If drawn | No | Nonresident License Fees (2026) |
| Nonresident Bighorn Sheep license (drawing; bought on or before Aug. 1 if drawn) (Bighorn Sheep) | $1,250 | If drawn | No | 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 License and Permit Availability Chart: '{name} - Drawing $125.00 / $1,250.00' |
| Nonresident Bison license (drawing; bought on or before Aug. 1 if drawn) (Bison) | $1,250 | If drawn | No | 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 License and Permit Availability Chart: '{name} - Drawing $125.00 / $1,250.00' |
| Nonresident Moose license (drawing; bought on or before Aug. 1 if drawn) (Moose) | $1,250 | If drawn | No | 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 License and Permit Availability Chart: '{name} - Drawing $125.00 / $1,250.00' |
| Nonresident Mountain Goat license (drawing; bought on or before Aug. 1 if drawn) (Mountain Goat) | $1,250 | If drawn | No | 2026 MSGB regulations p.6 License and Permit Availability Chart: '{name} - Drawing $125.00 / $1,250.00' |
| Nonresident Mountain Lion License (Limited Mountain Lion License drawing; the same licence is the OTC / Unlimited licence) (Mountain Lion) | $320 | If drawn | No | 2026 Mountain Lion regulations p.3 Licenses table: 'Nonresident Mountain Lion License ... $320 Nonresident' (2025 regulations p.2: the same $320) |
| Special elk permit (statutory fee, MCA 87-2-704(4); used with a valid elk license) (Elk) | $4 | If drawn | No | MCA 87-2-704 Regulation of special elk permits |
Drew a tag? Check which cartridges are legal for your species and weapon on the Montana hunting laws page.
Every percentage on this page is a prior-draw probability: the chance an applicant with that many points would have drawn in the draw year shown, computed from the agency's published results. It is not a forecast — quotas, applicant numbers, and point creep change every year. Every figure links to the agency document it came from. Where a state does not publish a number, we show a dash, never a zero. Hunts with fewer than five tags show counts instead of percentages. Fees show the fee year used. Read the methodology for the engine details.
This page is informational only. Draw rules, quotas, fees, and deadlines are set by the state agency and change by commission action — confirm everything on the agency's own site before you apply, and apply through the agency, not here. We disclaim all liability for reliance on this page.
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