Hunting District 262, Bitterroot Farmlands: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 262 (Bitterroot Farmlands) is 2.1% public land, most of it state trust land (1,640 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 184 elk and 368 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 378 elk hunters spent 2,804 days here and took 93 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 landOther publicHD 262Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 79,845 acres (125 square miles) |
| Public land | 2.1% (1,642 acres) |
| Block Management | 2 areas, 483 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 184 (36 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 368 (41 mule deer, 327 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Antlerless elk (archery equipment only) and brow-tined bulls (archery equipment only) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton, Pinesdale and Darby |
HD 262 is the irrigated farmland on the Bitterroot's east side around Stevensville, Corvallis and Hamilton. Only 2.1% is public land, and FWP notes access may be difficult. FWP estimated 184 elk were taken here in 2025, more than in any year since 2020.
How much public land is in HD 262?
2.1% of HD 262 is public land: 1,642 of its 79,845 acres. The largest share is state trust land, 1,640 acres or 2.1% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 262 |
|---|---|---|
| State trust land | 1,640 | 2.1% |
| Other public | 1,183 | 1.5% |
| National forest | 2 | 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 262
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas in HD 262, 483 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Burnt Fork (293 acres, Type 1) and Swansons Orchard (190 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 262?
FWP estimates 184 elk were harvested in HD 262 in 2025: 36 bulls, 141 cows and 8 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 378 hunters took 93 elk, about 25 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 | 184 | 36 | 141 | 8 | 19 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 93 | 9 | 84 | 0 | 6 | 378 | 2,804 | 25 |
| 2023 | 113 | 21 | 86 | 6 | 12 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 109 | 20 | 89 | 0 | 3 | 362 | 2,352 | 30 |
| 2021 | 122 | 4 | 114 | 4 | 4 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 124 | 21 | 96 | 7 | 14 | 417 | 2,636 | 30 |
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 262?
FWP estimates 368 deer were harvested in HD 262 in 2025: 41 mule deer and 327 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 804 deer hunters spent 5,230 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 368 | 41 | 327 | 186 | 182 | 127 | 804 | 5,230 |
| 2024 | 452 | 47 | 405 | 247 | 205 | 149 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 522 | 34 | 488 | 282 | 230 | 216 | 748 | 5,534 |
| 2022 | 477 | 50 | 427 | 272 | 205 | 179 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 374 | 71 | 303 | 185 | 185 | 117 | 706 | 5,017 |
| 2020 | 466 | 78 | 388 | 243 | 223 | 175 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 262 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 262:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | ArchEquip only. | ||
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. | ||
| General Elk License | 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: 262-01 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Jan 8 | 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 Permit: 262-45 | Brow-tined Bull Elk | April 1 | 20 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season. |
When is deer season in HD 262 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 262 allows antlerless mule deer (Oct 19-Nov 29, archery equipment only) and white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 29). A mule deer buck in HD 262 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 262-51, quota 20, 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 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 19-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip only. | ||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| 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: 262-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 100 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow only. Only valid on private land. | ||
| Deer B License: 262-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 100 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. |
| Deer B License: 262-02 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Jan 15 | ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow only. Up to three 262-02 Deer B Licenses per hunter. | |
| Deer B License: 262-02 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Up to three 262-02 Deer B Licenses per hunter. | ||
| Deer Permit: 262-51 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 20 | 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. |
| Deer Permit: 262-52 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 10 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 12-15. Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD. |
FWP's notes for HD 262: Private land-access may be difficult.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, pages 65 to 66, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 262 before you go.
How do you get to HD 262?
Highways through the district: MT 269 (about 6 miles inside it) and MT 203 (about 4 miles inside it). Towns inside: Stevensville and Corvallis. Nearby: Hamilton (on the line), Pinesdale (5 miles), Darby (12 miles) and Missoula (14 miles).
Which districts border HD 262?
HD 262 touches 4 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 260 | Bitterroot - Clark Fork Archery District | 7.7% | 33 | 669 |
| HD 261 | East Bitterroot | 62.2% | 57 | 183 |
| HD 270 | East Fork Bitterroot | 84.6% | 621 | 395 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 262 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk (archery equipment only) and brow-tined bulls (archery equipment only) in HD 262 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 65). FWP also lists 2 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 262?
Stevensville and Corvallis are inside the district. Just outside: Hamilton (on the line), Pinesdale (5 miles) and Darby (12 miles).
Does HD 262 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas covering 483 acres in HD 262: both are Type 1, where hunters give themselves permission. The largest is Burnt Fork at 293 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 262?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 262 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 262
Those portions of Missoula and Ravalli Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning near Florence at the junction of Eastside Highway (County Road 203) and Lower Woodchuck Road, then north along said road to its junction with North Woodchuck Creek, then east along said creek to the Miller Creek Number 4 to Hamilton Heights double H-frame power line, then southeast along said power line to its junction with the Threemile Creek drainage, then southwest along said drainage to its junction with the Bitterroot Irrigation District Canal (BRID, a.k.a. Big Ditch), then south along said ditch to its junction with Iron Cap Creek, then east along said creek to its junction with Iron Cap Drive, then southwest along said drive to its junction with the BRID, then briefly along said ditch to its junction with the Middle Burnt Fork Road, then east and southeast along said road to its junction with the South Burnt Fork Road, then west along said road to its junction with La Fontaine Lane, then west and south along said lane to its junction with South Sunset Bench Road, then west along said road to its intersection with the west border of state land in T8NR19WS (across from Pine Hollow Road), then south along said border to the BRID, then south along said ditch to its intersection Willow Creek Road, then east along said road to its intersection with the double H-frame power line, then south along said power line to its intersection with Gray Fox Lane, then south along said lane to its intersection with Hamilton Heights Road, then west along said road to its intersection with the BRID, then south along said ditch to its intersection with State Route 38 (Skalkaho Road), then west along said route to its junction with US Highway 93, then north along said highway to Eastside Highway in Hamilton (now County Road 269), then north along said highway to its intersection with Lower Woodchuck Road, 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 65 to 66.
- 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.