Hunting District 260, Bitterroot - Clark Fork Archery District: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 260 (Bitterroot - Clark Fork Archery District) is 7.7% public land, the largest part national wildlife refuge (2,827 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 33 elk and 669 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 447 elk hunters spent 3,199 days here and took 50 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 landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 260Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 98,901 acres (155 square miles) |
| Public land | 7.7% (7,598 acres) |
| Block Management | 7 areas, 2,468 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 33 (15 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 669 (35 mule deer, 633 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk (archery equipment only) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 19 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Missoula, Hamilton, Carlton, Stevensville, Pinesdale and Darby |
HD 260 is the Bitterroot Valley floor from Hamilton north to Missoula and down the Clark Fork toward Huson. Deer and elk hunting is with archery equipment only, and FWP notes the district is mostly private land with difficult access. Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge lies inside it.
How much public land is in HD 260?
7.7% of HD 260 is public land: 7,598 of its 98,901 acres. The largest share is national wildlife refuge, 2,827 acres or 2.9% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 260 |
|---|---|---|
| Other public | 5,547 | 5.6% |
| National wildlife refuge | 2,827 | 2.9% |
| FWP land | 1,983 | 2% |
| State trust land | 1,617 | 1.6% |
| National forest | 1,166 | 1.2% |
| BLM | 5 | 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 260
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas in HD 260, 2,468 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Grass Valley (1,435 acres, Type 1), Sapphire Ranch (444 acres, Type 2), Ruffatto Land & Cattle Co (243 acres, Type 2), Miller Creek (146 acres, Type 1) and Likes Ranch (91 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 260?
FWP estimates 33 elk were harvested in HD 260 in 2025: 15 bulls, 19 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 447 hunters took 50 elk, about 11 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 | 33 | 15 | 19 | 0 | 15 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 50 | 24 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 447 | 3,199 | 11 |
| 2023 | 32 | 12 | 17 | 3 | 6 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 283 | 2,079 | 6 |
| 2021 | 43 | 27 | 16 | 0 | 8 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 64 | 38 | 26 | 0 | 29 | 413 | 3,164 | 15 |
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 260?
FWP estimates 669 deer were harvested in HD 260 in 2025: 35 mule deer and 633 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,130 deer hunters spent 9,167 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 669 | 35 | 633 | 239 | 425 | 143 | 1,130 | 9,167 |
| 2024 | 743 | 6 | 736 | 240 | 502 | 171 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 586 | 45 | 542 | 245 | 341 | 173 | 1,092 | 10,053 |
| 2022 | 792 | 42 | 751 | 276 | 516 | 203 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 543 | 33 | 511 | 232 | 312 | 151 | 1,014 | 8,062 |
| 2020 | 746 | 16 | 730 | 231 | 511 | 179 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 260 in 2026?
Archery only: September 5 to October 18. General season: October 19 to November 29, 2026. Every elk license and permit FWP lists for HD 260:
| 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 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. NOT valid on Lee Metcalf Refuge. | ||
| Elk B License: 201-01 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | Must purchase before the start of the general season. Only valid on private land. ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow only. Also valid in HD 201 with restrictions. See HD 201 for more info | |
| Elk B License: 201-01 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Must purchase before the start of the general season. Only valid on private land. Also valid on private lands in HD 201 as listed. |
When is deer season in HD 260 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 260 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 19-Nov 29, archery equipment only) and mule deer of either sex (Oct 19-Nov 29, archery equipment only).
| 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 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. | ||
| General Deer License | Either-sex Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. | ||
| 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: 260-20 | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 300 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip Only. |
FWP's notes for HD 260: Check the restricted area legal descriptions (regulations pages 28 to 30): Lee Metcalf Refuge; Bitterroot-Clark Fork Archery District Portion of HD 260; Mostly private land-Access is difficult.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 64, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 260 before you go.
How do you get to HD 260?
Highways through the district: US 93 (about 53 miles inside it), I-90 (about 40 miles inside it), MT 269 (about 15 miles inside it), MT 200 (about 14 miles inside it) and US 12 (about 9 miles inside it). Towns inside: Missoula, Hamilton, Carlton, Orchard Homes, Wye and Huson. Nearby: Stevensville (on the line), Pinesdale (3 miles), Darby (4 miles) and Alberton (5 miles).
Which districts border HD 260?
HD 260 touches 5 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 204 | North Sapphire | 62.9% | 113 | 406 |
| HD 240 | West Bitterroot | 79.8% | 136 | 775 |
| HD 262 | Bitterroot Farmlands | 2.1% | 184 | 368 |
| HD 270 | East Fork Bitterroot | 84.6% | 621 | 395 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 260 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk (archery equipment only) in HD 260 during the general season, October 19 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 64). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 260?
Missoula, Hamilton and Carlton are inside the district. Just outside: Stevensville (on the line), Pinesdale (3 miles) and Darby (4 miles).
Does HD 260 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas covering 2,468 acres in HD 260: 4 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 3 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Grass Valley at 1,435 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 260?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 260 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 260
Those portions of Missoula and Ravalli Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Lolo, then north on US Highway 93 to the Blue Mountain Road, then west and northerly along said road to Big Flat Road (Missoula County Route 30), then northerly along said road to Deep Creek, then east along said creek to the Clark Fork River, then westerly along the south shore of said river to the first Interstate 90 bridge west of the Ninemile Interchange, then easterly along Interstate 90 to its intersection with US Highway 93 at Missoula, then southerly along said route to the Miller Creek Road, then south on said road to the Trails End Road, then southerly and westerly on said road to Oral Zumwalt Way, then follow a line directly West to the easternmost bank of the Bitterroot River, then south along said bank to its junction with Woodchuck Creek, then east along said creek to the Lower Woodchuck/Eightmile Creek Road, then south along said road to its junction with the eastside Highway (State Routes 203, 268, and 269), then south on said highway to its junction with US Highway 93 at Hamilton, then south on said highway to its junction with Skalkaho Highway (State Route 38), then south along said route to its junction with Sleeping Child Road (State Route 501), then south along said route to its junction with Old Darby Road (County Road 87), then south along said road to its junction with US Highway 93 at Como, then north along said highway to its junction with the Roaring Lion Road, then west along said road to its junction with Westside Road (County Road 531), then northerly along said road (north to West Bridge Road, then east) to its junction with Ricketts Road (County Road 6200), then northerly along said road to its junction with Bowman Road (County Road 5800), then east along said road to its junction with US Highway 93 near the river bridge north of Hamilton, then north along said highway to Lolo, 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 64.
- 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.