BEFORE applying for the big game draw, all adult & youth applicants MUST first purchase a qualifying license before they can apply for the draw.

2024 DRAW INFORMATION: 

• The primary draw application deadline is 4/2/2024 at 8 p.m. MT.
• The secondary draw application deadline is 6/28/2024 at 8 p.m. MT.

• Modification to over-the-counter antlered elk rifle 2nd & 3rd seasons in GMUs 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 131, 211, 214, 231, 301 & 441. Effective for 2024–25 and 2025–26 hunting seasons, antlered elk 2nd & 3rd rifle seasons were modified due to the severity of the 2022–23 winter. Over-the-counter antlered elk rifle licenses are now valid on private land only in these units and new limited antlered elk hunts valid on public lands in these units during these seasons have been created. ​
  
• Nonresident license allocation modified: Big-game license allocation for bear, deer, elk and pronghorn has been modified from 65% for residents and 35% for nonresidents to 75% for residents and 25% for nonresidents for most hunt codes. High-demand hunt codes remain at 80% for residents and 20% for nonresidents.
• Outreach hunting licenses combined; opportunity added for disabled veterans: Youth hunters, novice adult hunters and disabled veterans will be combined into a single outreach program providing available deer, elk and pronghorn licenses to qualified organizations.
• Elk antler-point restrictions implemented on some Ranching for Wildlife properties: Due to the severity of the 2022-23 winter, all antlered elk taken on any enrolled Ranching for Wildlife properties within  GMUs 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 131, 211, 214, 231, 301 or 441 shall have four points or more on one antler, OR a brow tine of at least 5 inches long, effective for all 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 hunting seasons.
  
• Either-sex hunts changed to antlered elk hunts for some regular rifle seasons in GMUs 3, 4, 5, 14, 214, 301 & 441, due to the severity of the 2022-2023 winter.
  
• Early-season elk cow rifle hunt in GMUs 2, 3 & 11 has been removed: E-F-003-E1-R is no longer available to apply for in the draw(s).
  
• Pronghorn doe hunting closed in GMUs 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 131, 214, 301 & 441: Due to the severity of the 2022–23 winter, doe hunting is closed for all methods of take.
  
• Add-on over-the-counter bear licenses in GMU 61: Add-on over-the-counter archery, muzzleloader or early October rifle bear licenses have been added in GMU 61.
  

Read the Big Game Regulations brochure​ (especially the "What's New: 2024" section).​ ​​