Hunting District 240, West Bitterroot: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 240 (West Bitterroot) is 79.8% public land, most of it national forest (341,359 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 136 elk and 775 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,209 elk hunters spent 8,811 days here and took 120 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 240Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 429,757 acres (671 square miles) |
| Public land | 79.8% (342,843 acres) |
| Block Management | 2 areas, 1,357 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 136 (68 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 775 (135 mule deer, 640 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Antlerless elk (outside the national forest boundary) and brow-tined bulls |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Pinesdale, Darby, Charlos Heights, Hamilton, Stevensville and Missoula |
HD 240 is the west side of the Bitterroot Valley, from the Bitterroot Range at the Idaho line east to US 93 and the valley roads, between Florence and the West Fork road near Conner. FWP's mule deer buck permit 240-50 is valid only inside the wilderness boundary, from October 1.
How much public land is in HD 240?
79.8% of HD 240 is public land: 342,843 of its 429,757 acres. The largest share is national forest, 341,359 acres or 79.4% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 240 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 341,359 | 79.4% |
| State trust land | 1,399 | 0.3% |
| Other public | 227 | 0.1% |
| FWP land | 85 | 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 240
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas in HD 240, 1,357 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Ruffatto Land & Cattle Co (840 acres, Type 2) and Hackett Ranch (517 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 240?
FWP estimates 136 elk were harvested in HD 240 in 2025: 68 bulls, 69 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,209 hunters took 120 elk, about 10 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 | 136 | 68 | 69 | 0 | 26 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 120 | 68 | 47 | 6 | 23 | 1,209 | 8,811 | 10 |
| 2023 | 136 | 89 | 43 | 4 | 21 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 203 | 104 | 99 | 0 | 23 | 1,266 | 9,421 | 16 |
| 2021 | 207 | 82 | 124 | 0 | 24 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 288 | 140 | 142 | 7 | 33 | 1,316 | 9,497 | 22 |
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 240?
FWP estimates 775 deer were harvested in HD 240 in 2025: 135 mule deer and 640 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 2,009 deer hunters spent 13,438 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 775 | 135 | 640 | 573 | 202 | 318 | 2,009 | 13,438 |
| 2024 | 907 | 132 | 776 | 695 | 213 | 471 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 985 | 114 | 871 | 735 | 247 | 426 | 2,226 | 15,797 |
| 2022 | 872 | 108 | 763 | 635 | 237 | 378 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 877 | 114 | 763 | 687 | 190 | 434 | 1,993 | 12,889 |
| 2020 | 918 | 120 | 798 | 683 | 225 | 410 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 240 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 240:
| 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 1 | Only valid outside the National Forest boundary. | ||||
| 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: 240-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Elk B License: 240-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | Only valid on private land. |
When is deer season in HD 240 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 240 allows mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 15) and white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 24-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-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | |||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | ||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| 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: 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. |
| Deer Permit: 240-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 25 | Oct 1-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid inside wilderness boundary. 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 62 to 63, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 240 before you go.
How do you get to HD 240?
Highways through the district: US 93 (about 16 miles inside it), MT 473 (about 5 miles inside it) and MT 531 (about 3 miles inside it). Towns inside: Pinesdale, Darby, Charlos Heights, Florence and Victor. Nearby: Hamilton (on the line), Stevensville (on the line) and Missoula (14 miles).
Which districts border HD 240?
HD 240 touches 4 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 250 | West Fork Bitterroot | 97% | 38 | 175 |
| HD 260 | Bitterroot - Clark Fork Archery District | 7.7% | 33 | 669 |
| HD 270 | East Fork Bitterroot | 84.6% | 621 | 395 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 240 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk (outside the national forest boundary) and brow-tined bulls in HD 240 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 62). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 240?
Pinesdale, Darby and Charlos Heights are inside the district. Just outside: Hamilton (on the line), Stevensville (on the line) and Missoula (14 miles).
Does HD 240 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas covering 1,357 acres in HD 240: 1 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Ruffatto Land & Cattle Co at 840 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 240?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 240 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 240
Those portions of Missoula and Ravalli Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of Carlton Creek Road and US Highway 93 north of Florence, then south along said highway to its junction with Bowman Road (County Road 5800) near the river bridge north of Hamilton, then west along said road to its junction with Ricketts Road (County Road 6200), then southerly along said road to its junction with County Road 531, then southerly along said road (West Bridge Road west to Westside Road, then south) to the Roaring Lion Road, then east along said road to its junction with US Highway 93, then south along said highway to its junction with the Conner Cutoff Road (Road 9830) south of Conner, then west along said road to its junction with the West Fork Bitterroot Road, then southwest on said road to its junction with Trapper Creek, then northwest and west up said creek to the Montana-Idaho border, then north along said border to the Lolo-Bitterroot National Forest boundary (the ridge to Bass Peak, which separates the South Fork Lolo Creek drainage and Bitterroot River drainages), then northeast along said boundary to the Carlton Lake Trail No. 326, then south along said trail to Carlton Creek, then east along said creek to Old US Highway 93, then briefly south along said highway to Carlton Creek Road, then east along said road to U.S. Highway 93, 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, pages 62 to 63.
- 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.