Montana Elk Mountain Goat

Unit 447-20 (Unit 447-20)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk, Mountain Goat

HD 447-20 is a Montana FWP elk special-drawing district. Permits are allocated by random draw with bonus-point weighting. Quotas, seasons, and access rules are published in the annual FWP regulations.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 447-20

Where to Find Elk in HD 447-20

Target timbered benches and brushy draws that connect bedding cover to feed. Use the FWP Hunt Planner to verify public-land and BMA coverage before scouting.

How to Hunt HD 447-20

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

Permit-holder outcomes generally outpace general-license success. Review FWP harvest summaries for recent trend lines.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	79	1,281	6.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

FWP special drawing with bonus-point weighting. Use drawing statistics to plan your application.

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 447-20

Hunting District 447-20 is an extremely limited special permit mountain goat hunt managed by Montana FWP in northwestern Montana. The '20' suffix denotes a special permit class — mountain goat permits are once-in-a-lifetime quota tags, among the most difficult to obtain in the state. HD 447 covers rugged cliff, talus, and alpine terrain in the northern Rocky Mountain region where goat populations are carefully conserved through minimal annual harvest.

Where to Find Mountain Goat in HD 447-20

Mountain goats in HD 447-20 inhabit the steepest, most rugged terrain in the district — sheer cliffs, rocky ledges, and high alpine talus fields of northwestern Montana. Billies typically occupy higher, more isolated terrain than nannies and kids. During the November rut, billies become more active and travel wider distances. Patient glassing with a spotting scope from valley floors or opposing ridgelines is the best way to locate goats without alerting them.

How to Hunt HD 447-20 Mountain Goat

Successfully hunting mountain goat in HD 447-20 requires exceptional fitness and comfort on steep, exposed terrain. Stalks are deliberate — goats are not easily spooked but detect movement well at close range. Plan long approaches using terrain features to stay out of sight. September and early October provide the best weather window; later season hunts risk severe storms and avalanche hazard. Consult FWP biologists before your hunt to understand where goat bands are currently located within HD 447.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle68%

Mountain goat tag holders in Montana enjoy very high success rates relative to other species, given the limited tag numbers and the territorial, predictable nature of goat behavior. FWP harvest reports include goat data by district. Contact FWP's northwestern Montana regional office for current population surveys and billy assessment for HD 447.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	1,285	0.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 447-20 mountain goat tags are once-in-a-lifetime quota permits drawn through FWP's annual special license lottery. Tag numbers are extremely small — often 1–3 per district. Montana's weighted bonus point system applies, but draw odds remain low even with accumulated points due to minimal tag availability. Review FWP's special drawing statistics for HD 447-20 to see current applicant-to-tag ratios.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for HD 447-20?

Through the FWP special drawing using Montana bonus points.

Where do I confirm rules?

FWP Plan-a-Hunt and annual regulations at fwp.mt.gov.

What is the once-in-a-lifetime rule for Montana mountain goat?

Montana designates mountain goat as a once-in-a-lifetime quota species — hunters who successfully draw and use a mountain goat permit in Montana are generally ineligible to apply for goat permits in the state again. This conservation measure protects small goat populations. Confirm exact eligibility restrictions with FWP before applying, as rules can vary by species and region.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

FWP Plan-a-Hunt — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Hunting district boundaries, Public-land access, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Annual regulations, Legal weapons and seasons, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Special Drawings — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Special permit draw mechanics, Bonus-point weighting, Application deadlines · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 447-20 (Unit 447-20)

Elk Hunting in Unit 447-20

Where to Find Elk in HD 447-20

How to Hunt HD 447-20

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 447-20

Where to Find Mountain Goat in HD 447-20

How to Hunt HD 447-20 Mountain Goat

Mountain Goat Success Rates

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Water

Road Conditions

Cell Service

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification