Hunting District 202, South Superior: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 202 (South Superior) is 94.4% public land, most of it national forest (540,247 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 79 elk and 701 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,136 elk hunters spent 9,486 days here and took 90 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 landOther publicHD 202Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 614,049 acres (959 square miles) |
| Public land | 94.4% (579,531 acres) |
| Block Management | 7 areas, 4,250 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 79 (64 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 701 (104 mule deer, 598 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 | Superior, Riverbend, Cyr, Alberton, Thompson Falls and Plains |
HD 202 is the south side of the Clark Fork from Superior to the Idaho line, up to the state line at Lookout Pass. Fish Creek WMA has 25,069 acres inside it. The General Deer License covers white-tailed deer here; a mule deer buck needs permit 202-50.
How much public land is in HD 202?
94.4% of HD 202 is public land: 579,531 of its 614,049 acres. The largest share is national forest, 540,247 acres or 88% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 202 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 540,247 | 88% |
| FWP land | 30,966 | 5% |
| State trust land | 8,318 | 1.4% |
| Other public | 309 | 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 202
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas in HD 202, 4,250 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Stimson Lumber Company Lands (1,832 acres, Type 1), Donally Ranch (1,254 acres, Type 2), Warnken Ranch (561 acres, Type 1), Little Joe Creek (190 acres, Type 2) and Mkh Montana (183 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 202: Fish Creek WMA (25,069 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 202?
FWP estimates 79 elk were harvested in HD 202 in 2025: 64 bulls, 15 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,136 hunters took 90 elk, about 8 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 | 79 | 64 | 15 | 0 | 28 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 90 | 74 | 14 | 2 | 17 | 1,136 | 9,486 | 8 |
| 2023 | 58 | 53 | 5 | 0 | 18 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 59 | 49 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1,094 | 8,326 | 5 |
| 2021 | 89 | 71 | 19 | 0 | 12 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 80 | 69 | 11 | 0 | 30 | 970 | 8,624 | 8 |
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 202?
FWP estimates 701 deer were harvested in HD 202 in 2025: 104 mule deer and 598 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,814 deer hunters spent 11,696 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 701 | 104 | 598 | 591 | 110 | 377 | 1,814 | 11,696 |
| 2024 | 647 | 99 | 547 | 554 | 90 | 366 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 650 | 83 | 567 | 542 | 104 | 350 | 1,796 | 12,826 |
| 2022 | 674 | 67 | 606 | 554 | 116 | 361 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 527 | 95 | 432 | 489 | 38 | 333 | 1,402 | 9,944 |
| 2020 | 515 | 104 | 412 | 471 | 39 | 319 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 202 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 202:
| 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 | |||
| Elk B License: 202-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 75 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid between Trout and Quartz Crks. |
When is deer season in HD 202 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 202 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Oct 30) and white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 31-Nov 29). A mule deer buck in HD 202 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 202-50, quota 150, apply by April 1.
| 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 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. | |||
| Deer B License: 202-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 75 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Deer Permit: 202-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 150 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD. |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 55, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 202 before you go.
How do you get to HD 202?
Highways through the district: I-90 (about 46 miles inside it) and US 12 (about 15 miles inside it). Towns inside: Superior, Riverbend, Cyr and Haugan. Nearby: Alberton (on the line), Thompson Falls (15 miles), Plains (15 miles) and Stevensville (17 miles).
Which districts border HD 202?
HD 202 touches 2 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 200 | North St. Regis | 88.9% | 20 | 204 |
| HD 201 | Missoula - Ninemile - North Superior | 76.4% | 274 | 1,025 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 202 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 202 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 55). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 202?
Superior, Riverbend and Cyr are inside the district. Just outside: Alberton (on the line), Thompson Falls (15 miles) and Plains (15 miles).
Does HD 202 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas covering 4,250 acres in HD 202: 5 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 2 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Stimson Lumber Company Lands at 1,832 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 202?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 202 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 202
Those portions of Missoula and Mineral Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Superior, then south east along the west and south side of the Clark Fork River to County Road 489 (Petty Creek -Grave Creek Road), then south along said road to Highway 12, then west along Highway 12 to the West Fork Butte road (FS 37), then southerly and southeasterly along said road to Elk Meadows road (FS 451), then south along said road to the Idaho border, then westerly and northwesterly along said border to Lookout Pass, then east on Interstate 90 to St. Regis and the Clark Fork River, then southeast along the Clark Fork River to Superior, the point of beginning.
Request your free Montana hunt plan
The first 50 hunters in Montana get one hunt plan free. Request yours now. We will email you when your plan is ready.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
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 55.
- 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.