Hunting District 210, John Long Range: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 210 (John Long Range) is 43.3% public land, most of it national forest (120,277 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 172 elk and 295 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,058 elk hunters spent 7,844 days here and took 162 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 210Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 312,492 acres (488 square miles) |
| Public land | 43.3% (135,441 acres) |
| Block Management | 4 areas, 11,082 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 172 (96 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 295 (62 mule deer, 233 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 | Maxville, Hall, Drummond, Philipsburg and Anaconda |
HD 210 is the John Long Range and the Flint Creek valley between Drummond, Hall and Maxville, near Philipsburg. Interstate 90 and US 12 each run about 33 miles inside it. FWP splits several antlerless licenses between the district's north and south portions at Rattling Gulch and Henderson Creek.
How much public land is in HD 210?
43.3% of HD 210 is public land: 135,441 of its 312,492 acres. The largest share is national forest, 120,277 acres or 38.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 210 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 120,277 | 38.5% |
| BLM | 7,559 | 2.4% |
| State trust land | 7,527 | 2.4% |
| Other public | 576 | 0.2% |
| FWP land | 78 | under 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 210
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas in HD 210, 11,082 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Spring Creek (3,511 acres, Type 1), Black Pine Ridge (3,129 acres, Type 1), Swiss Ranch (2,234 acres, Type 2) and Johnson Tuning Fork Ranch (2,208 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 210?
FWP estimates 172 elk were harvested in HD 210 in 2025: 96 bulls, 70 cows and 6 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,058 hunters took 162 elk, about 15 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 | 172 | 96 | 70 | 6 | 42 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 162 | 85 | 77 | 0 | 35 | 1,058 | 7,844 | 15 |
| 2023 | 145 | 111 | 35 | 0 | 49 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 165 | 117 | 48 | 0 | 63 | 1,067 | 8,139 | 15 |
| 2021 | 188 | 110 | 72 | 7 | 38 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 184 | 104 | 74 | 6 | 50 | 1,507 | 10,680 | 12 |
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 210?
FWP estimates 295 deer were harvested in HD 210 in 2025: 62 mule deer and 233 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 875 deer hunters spent 5,787 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 295 | 62 | 233 | 179 | 116 | 114 | 875 | 5,787 |
| 2024 | 351 | 74 | 277 | 208 | 143 | 168 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 321 | 67 | 254 | 188 | 133 | 141 | 863 | 4,965 |
| 2022 | 298 | 57 | 241 | 169 | 125 | 122 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 273 | 49 | 224 | 168 | 105 | 136 | 870 | 6,185 |
| 2020 | 447 | 70 | 377 | 208 | 235 | 131 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 210 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 210:
| 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 | 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: 210-02 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Elk B License: 210-03 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 300 | Early: Aug 15-Oct 23 Late: Nov 30-Jan 8 | Valid on private lands in HDs 211, 212, 216 and south portion of 210 (Rattling Gulch-Henderson Creek). | ||
| Elk B License: 210-03 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 300 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid on the above described private lands AND ALSO VALID on DNRC lands outside the National Forest Service boundary. | |
| Elk B License: 210-04 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private lands in north portion of HD 210 (Rattling Gulch- Henderson Creek). |
When is deer season in HD 210 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 210 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 210 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 210-50, quota 50, 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 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid outside National Forest boundary and NOT valid on FWP WMAs or BLM lands. Only youth ages 10-15. | ||
| 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: 210-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 75 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Deer B License: 210-01 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 55 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. |
| Deer B License: 210-02 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 1 | Valid outside the National Forest Boundary and NOT valid on FWP WMAs or BLM lands. Up to two per hunter. |
| Deer Permit: 210-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 50 | 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, pages 56 to 57, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 210 before you go.
How do you get to HD 210?
Highways through the district: US 12 (about 33 miles inside it), I-90 (about 33 miles inside it) and MT 1 (about 17 miles inside it). Towns inside: Maxville and Hall. Nearby: Drummond (on the line), Philipsburg (on the line), Anaconda (14 miles) and Missoula (20 miles).
Which districts border HD 210?
HD 210 touches 6 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 204 | North Sapphire | 62.9% | 113 | 406 |
| HD 211 | Upper Rock Creek-Georgetown Lake | 82.2% | 100 | 103 |
| HD 212 | West Flint Range | 77.5% | 38 | 126 |
| HD 216 | West Rock Creek-Quigg Peak | 89.8% | 44 | 141 |
| HD 217 | Northwest Flint Range | 29.2% | 105 | 151 |
| HD 292 | West Garnet Range | 48.1% | 121 | 531 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 210 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 210 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 56). FWP also lists 3 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 210?
Maxville and Hall are inside the district. Just outside: Drummond (on the line), Philipsburg (on the line) and Anaconda (14 miles).
Does HD 210 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas covering 11,082 acres in HD 210: 3 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Spring Creek at 3,511 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 210?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 210 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
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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, pages 56 to 57.
- 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 204 HD 211 HD 212 HD 216 HD 217 HD 292