Across most of the Big Sky State, antelope numbers are stable or increasing, so the 2026 season should be a great year to have a Montana antelope tag in your pocket. For the third consecutive winter, the antelope did not have much to contend with. To date, Montana’s winter has been non-existent and is climbing the ranks of the mildest on record in nearly a century. The result should be zero winterkill mortality and plenty of twin fawns hitting the ground in June.
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If you are an archery antelope hunter, the 900-20 archery antelope permit is one of the best opportunity hunts in the West. In 2025, non-resident draw odds were 31% with 1 point, 58% with 2 points, 82% with 3 points, and 91% with 4 points. Remember, there is no reason to go into the draw with no points, as Montana fronts a point purchase at the time of your application ahead of the draw. One of the best things about this hunt is that archery hunters who draw the 900-20 tag can hunt every unit in the state in regions 4 through 7. New for 2026, Region 3 has been split off the 900-20 permit. A new 399-20 archery-only permit was created, and with it, you may hunt any of Region 3’s units aside from 313. The reason for the change was a disproportionately high archery success rate against an already-declining population that was forcing any-weapon permit cuts in some of the region’s units. This change will allow Montana FWP to adjust archery-only quotas in Region 3 as population fluctuations dictate.
The 900-20 & 399-20 archery-only permit season runs August 15 through November 8, although you will be hunting amongst the rifle hunters beginning October 10. All of the rifle season hunts run October 10 to November 8. Hunters who draw a rifle antelope tag can also hunt during the regular archery antelope season within their unit beginning September 5 if they buy the $10 bow-and-arrow license.
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Each year, you may build points for three different types of antelope permits in Montana: an archery-only antelope license for either-sex, an any-weapon antelope license for either-sex, and an any-weapon antelope B license for does only. While you may build points for each of these every year, you may only apply for one of the either-sex licenses in the draw. You may also apply for an antelope B license instead of or in addition to one of the either-sex permits. During the July 1 through September 30 points-only period, you may purchase a point for whichever of these three licenses you didn’t apply for.
Last year, the two hunts in Region 7, 007-20 and 007-21, were the most popular choices for non-resident antelope applicants. These two hunts choices accounted for half of the state’s non-resident application demand. Flight counts last July showed a growing number of animals, surpassing ten-year population averages. These results supported an overall increase of 1,500 permits in 007-20 and another 1,000 permits for the 007-21 hunt. The good news is that improved draw odds; the bad news is that this created more hunting pressure on public ground and Block Management land, pushing bucks onto private shortly after the rifle season opener. While most hunters reported success last season, there were many that struggled to fill a tag as well. The majority of those who struggled hunted a little later in the season. To make the best of your hunt, we recommend you show up two or three days ahead of the October 10 opener to look for the type of buck you are after so you can get your tag notched on opening morning.
Montana’s antelope hunts offer something for every type of hunter, but if you’re only after a book goat, you should be looking at hunting a private ranch that is managing for trophy class bucks. If you want to talk about outfitted options, or what unit to apply for, give us a call. You’ll have a hard time finding a cheaper big-game permit or a better first-time western hunt for youth or self-guided hunters than a Montana antelope hunt!
Over the last 20+ years, we've collected hunting research and data, so join Huntin' Fool today and access the best research tools for hunting antelope in Montana, including Draw Odds, Consultations, and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!
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The Montana Antelope application deadline is June 1, 2026.
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Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!
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Up-Front Fees |
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| Base Hunting License | $50 |
| Conservation License | $10 |
| Bonus Point (optional/per species) | $20 |
| Antelope (includes the $5 application fee) | $205 |
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| Bow and Arrow License (required for all archery hunts) | $10 |
| *Fees do not include the additional 2.5% convenience fee. | |
MT Antelope Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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