Hunting District 270, East Fork Bitterroot: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 270 (East Fork Bitterroot) is 84.6% public land, most of it national forest (341,098 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 621 elk and 395 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 3,320 elk hunters spent 29,984 days here and took 662 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 270Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 424,844 acres (664 square miles) |
| Public land | 84.6% (359,337 acres) |
| Block Management | 3 areas, 2,071 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 621 (312 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 395 (77 mule deer, 318 white-tailed) |
| Bull elk | Elk Permit 270-45 (unlimited, apply by April 1) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Sula, Conner, Darby, Hamilton and Pinesdale |
HD 270 is the East Fork of the Bitterroot above Darby, south to the Idaho line and the Continental Divide. US 93 and the Skalkaho Road (MT 38) mark parts of its edge. FWP notes that elk hunter numbers are very high here because brow-tined bull permits are unlimited.
How much public land is in HD 270?
84.6% of HD 270 is public land: 359,337 of its 424,844 acres. The largest share is national forest, 341,098 acres or 80.3% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 270 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 341,098 | 80.3% |
| State trust land | 18,132 | 4.3% |
| Other public | 181 | under 0.1% |
| FWP land | 107 | 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 270
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas in HD 270, 2,071 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Lazy J Cross Ranch (1,102 acres, Type 1), Likes Ranch (686 acres, Type 1) and Cobb Ranch (284 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 270?
FWP estimates 621 elk were harvested in HD 270 in 2025: 312 bulls, 301 cows and 8 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 3,320 hunters took 662 elk, about 20 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 | 621 | 312 | 301 | 8 | 94 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 662 | 321 | 333 | 9 | 87 | 3,320 | 29,984 | 20 |
| 2023 | 424 | 234 | 184 | 6 | 54 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 633 | 342 | 283 | 8 | 113 | 2,876 | 22,919 | 22 |
| 2021 | 408 | 268 | 140 | 0 | 52 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 489 | 272 | 210 | 7 | 87 | 2,731 | 23,936 | 18 |
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 270?
FWP estimates 395 deer were harvested in HD 270 in 2025: 77 mule deer and 318 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,968 deer hunters spent 16,116 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 395 | 77 | 318 | 314 | 81 | 207 | 1,968 | 16,116 |
| 2024 | 495 | 80 | 414 | 396 | 99 | 260 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 497 | 87 | 410 | 404 | 93 | 235 | 1,887 | 14,284 |
| 2022 | 345 | 67 | 279 | 269 | 76 | 141 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 385 | 92 | 293 | 291 | 94 | 215 | 1,501 | 12,220 |
| 2020 | 291 | 86 | 205 | 188 | 103 | 107 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 270 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 270:
| 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 | |||||
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 12-15. | ||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 12-15 and hunters with a PTHFV. Only valid north of Rye Creek. 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 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | 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, see each HD for more info. |
| Elk B License: 270-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 300 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid north of Rye Creek. |
| Elk B License: 270-02 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 500 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid south of Rye Creek. |
| Elk Permit: 270-45 | Brow-tined Bull Elk | April 1 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | One per hunter. 1st choice only. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. |
When is deer season in HD 270 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 270 allows white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29). A mule deer buck in HD 270 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 270-50, quota 45, 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-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 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 | UNL | 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: 270-01 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 25 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Deer B License: 299-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | 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: 270-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 45 | 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: 270-51 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 15 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Antlers must be 3 points or fewer on one side (not including eye guard). Mandatory check required. Successful applicants will be contacted by FWP staff. 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 270: Hunter numbers for elk are very high in HD 270 due to unlimited brow-tined bull permits. Permits do NOT manage for older age-class bulls.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, pages 66 to 67, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 270 before you go.
How do you get to HD 270?
Highways through the district: US 93 (about 35 miles inside it) and MT 38 (about 22 miles inside it). Towns inside: Sula and Conner. Nearby: Darby (on the line), Hamilton (4 miles) and Pinesdale (10 miles).
Which districts border HD 270?
HD 270 touches 9 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 211 | Upper Rock Creek-Georgetown Lake | 82.2% | 100 | 103 |
| HD 216 | West Rock Creek-Quigg Peak | 89.8% | 44 | 141 |
| HD 240 | West Bitterroot | 79.8% | 136 | 775 |
| HD 250 | West Fork Bitterroot | 97% | 38 | 175 |
| 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 319 | Fleecer-High Rye | 77.4% | 332 | 166 |
| HD 321 | West Big Hole-Mussigbrod | 62.9% | 544 | 135 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 270 on a general license?
Not alone, for most adult hunters. In the general season FWP's 2026 table for HD 270 keeps the General Elk License to youth hunters and the other limits it prints (regulations page 66). A brow-tined bull needs Elk Permit 270-45 (quota unlimited, apply by April 1), used with the General Elk License.
What is the closest town to HD 270?
Sula and Conner are inside the district. Just outside: Darby (on the line), Hamilton (4 miles) and Pinesdale (10 miles).
Does HD 270 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas covering 2,071 acres in HD 270: 2 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Lazy J Cross Ranch at 1,102 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 270?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 270 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 270
That portion of Ravalli County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning in Darby, then south along US Highway 93 to its junction with the Conner Cutoff Road (County 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 the ridgeline between the Spade Creek and Piquette Creek drainages (along the boundary between the West Fork and Darby Ranger Districts), then southeast up said ridgeline to USFS Trail 601, then east and south along said trail past Shook Mountain and Medicine Point to USFS Trail 56, then west on said trail to the headwaters of Base Creek, then southeast down said creek to Wiles Creek, then east down said creek to Warm Springs Creek, then southeast up said creek to Porcupine Creek, then southeast up said creek and along its headwaters in Section 30, Township 1 South, Range 19 West, to the ridgeline between Camp Creek and Shields Creek, then south on said ridgeline to the Montana-Idaho border, then easterly along said border to the Continental Divide, then in a northeasterly direction along said divide to the Bitterroot-Rock Creek Divide, then in a northerly direction along said divide to its junction with State Route 38 (Skalkaho Road), then westerly down said road to Sleeping Child Road (State Route 501), then south along said road to Old Darby Road (County Road 87), then south along said road to US Highway 93, then south along said highway to Darby, 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 66 to 67.
- 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.