Updates: 

8/17: Elk combo licenses are SOLD OUT

7/3/17: Currently there are 272 elk combo licenses available.

5/15/17: Alternate list for Montana nonresident deer is now available. 

• Sign up for the alternate list after logging in to your MyFWP page.

05/10/17: Turns out FWP has some elk combo tags available, but you have to call to purchase.

• There are elk tags available, however depending on how the licenses were applied for (if they applied and were unsuccessful) a call has to be made to the FWP for them to edit some information in the computer before each individual license can be purchased. Kinda confusing but as of now they said there is 1,200 license available. 

05/09/17: As of 5:20 p.m. today, the leftover elk tags are now sold out for online purchase - must call.

.

.

.

Montana's 2017 leftover nonresident elk combination hunting licenses are now available on a first-come-first-serve basis. They became available yesterday, May 8. You can pick up a license over-the-counter or online here, but you should act fast before they sell out!

Nearly 80% of Montana's general hunt districts hold a strong chance of producing bulls with the trophy potential of 300” Boone & Crockett (B&C) or better. Whether you’re trying to harvest the bull of a lifetime or simply looking to fill a tag, Montana has a lot to offer on the general season hunts. Archery hunters will enjoy a six week season that includes the elk rut and rifle hunters will see a five week season that can be a phenomenal hunt in the snow. So you get the best of both worlds when you pick up a combo license. If you want some additional insight you can check out our 2017 Montana Deer and Elk Application Strategy article or this article, An in-depth look at Montana's top late season hunts that covers some of the top general season elk hunts.

Like every year, I'll keep this article updated as the summer progresses.

How to get your leftover nonresident Montana tag

The easiest way to pick up a license is to buy one online or purchase one at any Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) office.

Cost to pick up a leftover elk combo tag

• Elk Combination license cost is $853 (elk only)
  • Total price will come out to $876.03 (price could be different if you already have some 2017 licenses from Montana)

Continued below

Urgency is required

If you want to hunt in Montana during the 2017 season, now is the time to get your plans together. Licenses are already going fast. 

General leftover nonresident license totals

• The report I got was roughly 1,300 leftover elk tags were available.
• In 2016 on the first day of the leftover release there were 1,963 leftovers. And... those leftover elk tags did sell out.

What about Montana general deer tags?

If you checked your Montana general deer tag results and were surprised by the outcome... you're not alone. A lot of people received unsuccessful results on the general deer tag this year. Something that hasn't happened for a long time. The information I got from FWP is that an alternate list will be created for people to try to get deer tags that might have been turned in. The alternate list will be open from May 15 through June 30.

Available Outfitted Montana elk hunts

The outfitted hunts listed below are still available to nonresidents due to the leftover tags.

---

Archery elk hunt in Montana HD's 416, 432, 448, 454 (Fully Outfitted)

Season: General archery
Price: $4,000
Season dates: September 2 - October 15, 2017

• View the hunt listing here.

Contact: Travis Anderson
Phone: (612) 599-9880
Outfitter information: Powder River Outfitters

---

Rifle elk hunt in Montana HD's 416, 432, 448, 454 (Fully Outfitted)

Season: General rifle
Price: $4,500
Season dates: October 21 - November 26, 2017

• View the hunt listing here.

Contact: Travis Anderson
Phone: (612) 599-9880
Outfitter information: Powder River Outfitters

---

Rifle elk hunt in Montana's HD 445 on the Sheep Creek Ranch (Fully Outfitted)

Season: General rifle
Price: $6,000
Season dates: October 28 - November 2, 2017

• View the hunt listing here.

Contact: Rich Birdsell
Phone: (406) 261-7424
Outfitter information: Northern Rockies Outfitters LTD

---

Apply for a Montana elk combo license here