Hunting District 204, North Sapphire: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 204 (North Sapphire) is 62.9% public land, most of it national forest (146,359 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 113 elk and 406 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,057 elk hunters spent 7,560 days here and took 76 elk.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: FWP estimates for 2020 to 2025. Seasons: FWP's 2026 regulations. Land: Montana State Library, 2026-10.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landOther publicHD 204Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 257,923 acres (403 square miles) |
| Public land | 62.9% (162,298 acres) |
| Block Management | 2 areas, 7,758 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 113 (63 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 406 (92 mule deer, 315 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 | Clinton, Missoula, Stevensville and Pinesdale |
HD 204 is the north end of the Sapphire Range between Missoula, Clinton and the Rock Creek road, south to the Burnt Fork near Stevensville. Threemile WMA, 6,430 acres here, is closed December 2 to May 15. On private land in the north portion (Eight Mile-Turah) the General Elk License also covers antlerless elk, with a late season to January 8.
How much public land is in HD 204?
62.9% of HD 204 is public land: 162,298 of its 257,923 acres. The largest share is national forest, 146,359 acres or 56.7% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 204 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 146,359 | 56.7% |
| State trust land | 8,228 | 3.2% |
| FWP land | 7,036 | 2.7% |
| Other public | 2,741 | 1.1% |
| BLM | 675 | 0.3% |
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 204
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas in HD 204, 7,758 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Ambrose Creek (5,270 acres, Type 1) and Mount Dean Stone (2,488 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 204: Threemile WMA (6,430 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 204?
FWP estimates 113 elk were harvested in HD 204 in 2025: 63 bulls, 50 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,057 hunters took 76 elk, about 7 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 | 113 | 63 | 50 | 0 | 22 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 76 | 44 | 32 | 0 | 9 | 1,057 | 7,560 | 7 |
| 2023 | 58 | 24 | 34 | 0 | 9 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 110 | 86 | 24 | 0 | 35 | 927 | 6,836 | 12 |
| 2021 | 112 | 67 | 45 | 0 | 24 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 103 | 59 | 40 | 4 | 14 | 914 | 6,341 | 11 |
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 204?
FWP estimates 406 deer were harvested in HD 204 in 2025: 92 mule deer and 315 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,386 deer hunters spent 8,644 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 406 | 92 | 315 | 288 | 115 | 187 | 1,386 | 8,644 |
| 2024 | 469 | 67 | 402 | 363 | 106 | 234 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 535 | 138 | 397 | 404 | 121 | 253 | 1,491 | 9,948 |
| 2022 | 512 | 95 | 418 | 360 | 149 | 220 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 369 | 72 | 298 | 286 | 78 | 184 | 1,092 | 6,666 |
| 2020 | 459 | 70 | 388 | 280 | 179 | 162 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 204 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 204:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | |||||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 8 | Only valid on private lands in north portion of 204 (Eight Mile-Turah). | |||
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 12-15 and hunters with a PTHFV. Resident hunters 75 years old and older may harvest an antlerless elk on private land. | |||
| Elk B License: 204-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 100 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Elk B License: 262-01 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | One per hunter. Only valid on private lands in HDs 204, 261, 262, and 270. Must purchase before start of general rifle season. Restrictions apply, season dates may vary, see each HD for more info. |
| Elk B License: 262-01 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Late: Nov 30-Jan 8 | One per hunter. Only valid on private lands in north portion of 204 (Eight Mile-Turah). |
When is deer season in HD 204 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 204 allows white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29) and mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 15).
| 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 | |||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Private land only. | ||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | ||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 10-15. | |||
| Deer B License: 204-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 25 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. |
| Deer B License: 260-01 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. Hunters may purchase up to three 260-01 antlerless white-tailed deer B licenses per hunter. Only valid in HDs 201 east of Hwy 93, 204, 240, 260, 261, 262, and 270. |
| Deer B License: 299-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | One per hunter. Only valid on private land in HDs 204, 240, 261, and 270. |
FWP's notes for HD 204: Threemile WMA closed Dec 02-May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, pages 55 to 56, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 204 before you go.
How do you get to HD 204?
Highways through the district: US 12 (about 15 miles inside it), I-90 (about 12 miles inside it) and MT 200 (about 3 miles inside it). Towns inside: Clinton. Nearby: Missoula (on the line), Stevensville (4 miles), Pinesdale (15 miles) and Hamilton (16 miles).
Which districts border HD 204?
HD 204 touches 7 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 201 | Missoula - Ninemile - North Superior | 76.4% | 274 | 1,025 |
| HD 210 | John Long Range | 43.3% | 172 | 295 |
| HD 216 | West Rock Creek-Quigg Peak | 89.8% | 44 | 141 |
| HD 260 | Bitterroot - Clark Fork Archery District | 7.7% | 33 | 669 |
| HD 261 | East Bitterroot | 62.2% | 57 | 183 |
| HD 262 | Bitterroot Farmlands | 2.1% | 184 | 368 |
| HD 292 | West Garnet Range | 48.1% | 121 | 531 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 204 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 204 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 55). FWP also lists 2 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 204?
Clinton is inside the district. Just outside: Missoula (on the line), Stevensville (4 miles) and Pinesdale (15 miles).
Does HD 204 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas covering 7,758 acres in HD 204: both are Type 1, where hunters give themselves permission. The largest is Ambrose Creek at 5,270 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 204?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 204 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 204
Those portions of Ravalli, Granite, and Missoula Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Missoula, then east along Interstate 90 to the Rock Creek Interchange, then south along the Rock Creek Road to the Eagle Creek cable crossing, then west along USFS Trail 215 to the Bitterroot-Rock Creek Divide, then northerly along said divide to USFS Trail 146 (Cutoff Gulch Trail), then southwest down said trail to the South Burnt Fork Road, then northwest along said road to its split into the South and Middle Burnt Fork Roads, then northwest along the Middle Burnt Fork Road to its junction with the Bitterroot Irrigation District Canal (BRID, a.k.a. Big Ditch), then briefly northerly along said ditch to its junction with Iron Cap Drive, then northeast along said drive to its intersection with Iron Cap Creek, then west along said creek to its intersection with the BRID, then northerly along said ditch to its junction with the Threemile Creek drainage, then northeast along said drainage to its junction with the Miller Creek Number 4 to Hamilton Heights double H-frame power line, then northwest along said power line to its junction with North Woodchuck Creek, then west along said creek to its end at the easternmost bank of the Bitterroot River, then north on said bank to a point directly west of the intersection of Oral Zumwalt Way and Trails End Road, then easterly and northerly along Trails End Road to the Miller Creek Road, then northerly along said road to US Highway 93, then north along said highway through Missoula to Interstate 90, 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, pages 55 to 56.
- 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.
Montana hunting Region 2 HD 201 HD 210 HD 216 HD 260 HD 261 HD 262 HD 292