Hunting District 291, East Garnet Range: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 291 (East Garnet Range) is 20.1% public land, most of it BLM (28,806 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 133 elk and 110 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 652 elk hunters spent 4,653 days here and took 122 elk.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: FWP estimates for 2020 to 2025. Seasons: FWP's 2026 regulations. Land: Montana State Library, 2026-10.
BLMState trust landFWP landOther publicHD 291Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 205,834 acres (322 square miles) |
| Public land | 20.1% (41,415 acres) |
| Block Management | 3 areas, 49,059 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 133 (59 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 110 (65 mule deer, 45 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 | Garrison, Drummond and Deer Lodge |
HD 291 is the east end of the Garnet Range between Drummond, Garrison and Avon, north of I-90 and US 12 toward Nevada Creek. BLM is its largest public land, 14%. A mule deer buck takes permit 291-50, or 291-51 for youth.
How much public land is in HD 291?
20.1% of HD 291 is public land: 41,415 of its 205,834 acres. The largest share is BLM, 28,806 acres or 14% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 291 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 28,806 | 14% |
| State trust land | 12,606 | 6.1% |
| Other public | 513 | 0.2% |
| FWP land | 3 | 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 291
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas in HD 291, 49,059 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Warm Springs Creek (32,004 acres, Type 1), Dutton Ranch (13,423 acres, Type 2) and Hollenback Ranch (3,632 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 291?
FWP estimates 133 elk were harvested in HD 291 in 2025: 59 bulls, 74 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 652 hunters took 122 elk, about 19 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 | 133 | 59 | 74 | 0 | 11 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 122 | 62 | 61 | 0 | 26 | 652 | 4,653 | 19 |
| 2023 | 102 | 59 | 38 | 5 | 17 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 137 | 98 | 39 | 0 | 38 | 625 | 4,665 | 22 |
| 2021 | 86 | 51 | 35 | 0 | 15 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 155 | 58 | 90 | 6 | 24 | 741 | 5,377 | 21 |
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 291?
FWP estimates 110 deer were harvested in HD 291 in 2025: 65 mule deer and 45 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 377 deer hunters spent 2,128 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 110 | 65 | 45 | 86 | 22 | 70 | 377 | 2,128 |
| 2024 | 94 | 60 | 35 | 87 | 7 | 64 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 66 | 44 | 23 | 55 | 9 | 40 | 250 | 1,687 |
| 2022 | 72 | 39 | 33 | 64 | 8 | 50 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 127 | 65 | 62 | 105 | 22 | 67 | 362 | 2,121 |
| 2020 | 104 | 50 | 53 | 73 | 31 | 54 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 291 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 291:
| 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: 291-03 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 250 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Oct 23 Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private lands. |
When is deer season in HD 291 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 291 allows white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29). A mule deer buck in HD 291 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 291-50, quota 30, 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 | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | |||||
| 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: 291-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Deer Permit: 291-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 30 | 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: 291-51 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 30 | 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. |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 70, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 291 before you go.
How do you get to HD 291?
Highways through the district: US 12 (about 7 miles inside it), MT 141 (about 7 miles inside it) and I-90 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Garrison. Nearby: Drummond (2 miles) and Deer Lodge (9 miles).
Which districts border HD 291?
HD 291 touches 6 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 213 | East Flint Range | 46.2% | 325 | 337 |
| HD 215 | East Deer Lodge | 49.4% | 346 | 286 |
| HD 217 | Northwest Flint Range | 29.2% | 105 | 151 |
| HD 292 | West Garnet Range | 48.1% | 121 | 531 |
| HD 293 | South Lincoln-Nevada Creek | 56.1% | 231 | 242 |
| HD 298 | Ovando-Helmville | 6.8% | 56 | 108 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 291 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 291 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 70). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 291?
Garrison is inside the district. Just outside: Drummond (2 miles) and Deer Lodge (9 miles).
Does HD 291 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas covering 49,059 acres in HD 291: 1 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 2 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Warm Springs Creek at 32,004 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 291?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 291 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 291
That portion of Powell County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the junction of State Route 271 (Drummond-Helmville Road) and Interstate 90, then easterly along said interstate to its junction with US Highway 12 at Garrison, then easterly along said route to its junction with State Route 141 at Avon, then north along said route to its junction with Cottonwood Meadows Road (1/4 mile northwest of Nevada Lake), then northwest on said road to its junction with Braziel Creek Road (BLM Road 2864), then south on said road to the northern boundary of BLM Section 22, T12N, R10W, then west along said section line to the southeast corner of Section 16, T12N, R10W, then north along the eastern boundary of said section to its northeast corner, then west along the northern boundaries of Sections 16, 17, and 18 to the northwest corner of Section 18, T12N, R10W, then south along said section boundary to the northeast corner of Section 24, T12N, R11W, then west along said section’s northern boundary to its northwest corner, then south along said section’s boundary to its southwest corner, then west along the northern boundary of Section 26, T12N, R11W, to its junction with Cottonwood Creek, then north along said creek to its junction with Route 271, then south along said route to its junction with Interstate 90, 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 70.
- 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 213 HD 215 HD 217 HD 292 HD 293 HD 298