Hunting District 120, Blacktail: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 120 (Blacktail) is 26.5% public land, most of it national forest (60,497 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 66 elk and 694 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,167 elk hunters spent 8,418 days here and took 49 elk.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: FWP estimates for 2020 to 2025. Seasons: FWP's 2026 regulations. Land: Montana State Library, 2026-10.
National forestState trust landFWP landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 120Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 1, Northwest Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 315,451 acres (493 square miles) |
| Public land | 26.5% (83,724 acres) |
| Block Management | 4 areas, 103,784 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 66 (63 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 694 (52 mule deer, 642 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Brow-tined bulls |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Lakeside, Somers, Rollins, Kalispell, Polson and Columbia Falls |
HD 120 is the country west and southwest of Kalispell, from US 2 south to the Flathead Indian Reservation line and east to Flathead Lake at Lakeside and Somers. In the Smith Valley Weapons Restriction Area, between Smith Lake Road and US 2, FWP allows only archery equipment, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader or crossbow.
How much public land is in HD 120?
26.5% of HD 120 is public land: 83,724 of its 315,451 acres. The largest share is national forest, 60,497 acres or 19.2% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 120 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 60,497 | 19.2% |
| State trust land | 19,980 | 6.3% |
| National wildlife refuge | 2,816 | 0.9% |
| Other public | 554 | 0.2% |
| FWP land | 431 | 0.1% |
Measured by FilledTag inside FWP's district boundary from Montana Cadastral Public Lands, Montana State Library, published 2026. State trust land is open to hunting with a Conservation License where it can be reached legally; many sections touch no public road.
Block Management in HD 120
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas in HD 120, 103,784 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Flathead Ridge Ranch (85,470 acres, Type 1), Green Diamond (17,211 acres, Type 1), Meuli Ranch (943 acres, Type 1) and Spp Mt Ashley Lake (161 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 120?
FWP estimates 66 elk were harvested in HD 120 in 2025: 63 bulls, 4 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,167 hunters took 49 elk, about 4 elk for every 100 hunters.
| Year | Elk harvested | Bulls | Cows | Calves | Bulls 6 points or more | Elk hunters | Hunter days | Elk per 100 hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 66 | 63 | 4 | 0 | 22 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 49 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 1,167 | 8,418 | 4 |
| 2023 | 75 | 66 | 6 | 3 | 18 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 48 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1,075 | 7,386 | 4 |
| 2021 | 36 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 4 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 984 | 8,196 | 1 |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk, 2020 to 2025). FWP counts hunters and days by district every other year; "not counted" means FWP did not publish that year's count. Elk per 100 hunters is worked out from FWP's own two figures.
How many deer are harvested in HD 120?
FWP estimates 694 deer were harvested in HD 120 in 2025: 52 mule deer and 642 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 2,179 deer hunters spent 14,543 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 694 | 52 | 642 | 554 | 140 | 363 | 2,179 | 14,543 |
| 2024 | 724 | 34 | 691 | 612 | 109 | 397 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 704 | 47 | 657 | 598 | 106 | 352 | 2,206 | 14,981 |
| 2022 | 711 | 49 | 662 | 533 | 178 | 324 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 656 | 36 | 620 | 534 | 122 | 319 | 1,956 | 12,140 |
| 2020 | 777 | 37 | 740 | 591 | 186 | 378 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 120 in 2026?
Archery only: September 5 to October 18. General season: October 24 to November 29, 2026. Every elk license and permit FWP lists for HD 120:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 |
When is deer season in HD 120 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 120 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Oct 30), mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29) and white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 31-Nov 29).
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Oct 30 | ||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | Oct 31-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Oct 31-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 10-15 and hunters with a PTHFV. | |||
| Deer B License: 120-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 75 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 |
FWP's notes for HD 120: Check the restricted area legal descriptions (regulations pages 28 to 30): Smith Valley Weapons Restriction Area between Smith Lake Road and US Hwy 2 restricted to ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader or crossbow only
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 50, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 120 before you go.
How do you get to HD 120?
Highways through the district: US 93 (about 16 miles inside it). Towns inside: Lakeside, Somers, Rollins, Batavia, Forest Hill Village and Lake Mary Ronan. Nearby: Kalispell (2 miles), Polson (14 miles), Columbia Falls (15 miles) and Whitefish (17 miles).
Which districts border HD 120?
HD 120 touches 3 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 103 | South Salish | 51% | 154 | 1,715 |
| HD 122 | Thompson River | 53.8% | 135 | 794 |
| HD 170 | Flathead River | 8% | 67 | 1,772 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 120 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 120 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 50).
What is the closest town to HD 120?
Lakeside, Somers and Rollins are inside the district. Just outside: Kalispell (2 miles), Polson (14 miles) and Columbia Falls (15 miles).
Does HD 120 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas covering 103,784 acres in HD 120: all 4 are Type 1, where hunters give themselves permission. The largest is Flathead Ridge Ranch at 85,470 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 120?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 120 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 120
Those portions of Flathead and Lincoln Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning where the Thompson River County Road meets US Highway 2, then southerly along the Thompson River County Road to Shroder Creek Road and USFS Trail 137, then easterly along said road and trail to USFS Trail 132, then southeasterly to USFS Trail 290, then along said trail to the Flathead Indian Reservation Boundary, then easterly along said boundary to Flathead Lake, then northerly and easterly along the shore of said lake to Somers Fishing Access site and US Highway 93, then northerly along said highway to Rocky Cliff Road, then westerly along said road to Foys Canyon Road, then southerly, westerly and northerly along said road to Whalebone Drive then westerly to Dern Road to US Highway 2, then westerly along said highway to the Thompson River County Road, the point of beginning.
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, hunters and days: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025).
- Seasons, licenses, quotas and restrictions: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 50.
- Public land: Montana Cadastral Public Lands, Montana State Library, published 2026. Block Management: FWP Block Management area boundaries (2026). District boundary: FWP deer, elk and lion hunting districts.
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Numbers are copied from FWP and the State of Montana, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.