Hunting District 293, South Lincoln-Nevada Creek: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 293 (South Lincoln-Nevada Creek) is 56.1% public land, most of it national forest (143,588 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 231 elk and 242 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,549 elk hunters spent 12,509 days here and took 156 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 landOther publicHD 293Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 2, West-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 284,423 acres (444 square miles) |
| Public land | 56.1% (159,499 acres) |
| Block Management | 9 areas, 43,449 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 231 (144 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 242 (66 mule deer, 176 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 | Avon, Helena, Deer Lodge and Drummond |
HD 293 runs from Rogers Pass south along the Continental Divide to MacDonald Pass, and west to Avon and the Nevada Creek country. Nevada Lake WMA has 1,521 acres here. FWP estimated 231 elk were taken in 2025, up from 156 in 2024.
How much public land is in HD 293?
56.1% of HD 293 is public land: 159,499 of its 284,423 acres. The largest share is national forest, 143,588 acres or 50.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 293 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 143,588 | 50.5% |
| State trust land | 10,465 | 3.7% |
| BLM | 3,948 | 1.4% |
| FWP land | 1,498 | 0.5% |
| Other public | 472 | 0.2% |
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 293
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 9 areas in HD 293, 43,449 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Sieben, Graveley & Mcintosh Ranches (11,650 acres, Type 1), Graveley & Mcintosh Ranches (10,331 acres, Type 1), Sunny Slope (8,994 acres, Type 2), Dalton Mountain (5,351 acres, Type 2) and Horsefly Creek (3,590 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 293: Nevada Lake WMA (1,521 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 293?
FWP estimates 231 elk were harvested in HD 293 in 2025: 144 bulls, 84 cows and 3 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,549 hunters took 156 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 | 231 | 144 | 84 | 3 | 72 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 156 | 87 | 67 | 2 | 15 | 1,549 | 12,509 | 10 |
| 2023 | 135 | 100 | 35 | 0 | 39 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 141 | 103 | 36 | 2 | 36 | 1,138 | 8,347 | 12 |
| 2021 | 124 | 92 | 32 | 0 | 40 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 141 | 98 | 44 | 0 | 47 | 1,239 | 9,199 | 11 |
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 293?
FWP estimates 242 deer were harvested in HD 293 in 2025: 66 mule deer and 176 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,065 deer hunters spent 7,835 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 242 | 66 | 176 | 228 | 14 | 137 | 1,065 | 7,835 |
| 2024 | 163 | 60 | 103 | 163 | 0 | 111 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 214 | 83 | 131 | 184 | 30 | 121 | 1,061 | 7,106 |
| 2022 | 199 | 81 | 119 | 193 | 7 | 89 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 169 | 50 | 119 | 157 | 12 | 91 | 977 | 6,663 |
| 2020 | 131 | 54 | 78 | 115 | 17 | 77 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 293 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 293:
| 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: 293-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 25 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Elk B License: 293-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 150 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Oct 23 Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid in Lincoln Valley. Only valid on private lands in south portion of HD 293 (SE of Nevada-Ogden Rd at Rossin Gulch). |
When is deer season in HD 293 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 293 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Oct 30), mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29) and white-tailed deer bucks (Oct 31-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-Oct 30 | ||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | Oct 31-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Oct 31-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 10-15. |
FWP's notes for HD 293: Nevada Lake WMA closed Dec. 02 – May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 71, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 293 before you go.
How do you get to HD 293?
Highways through the district: MT 141 (about 15 miles inside it), US 12 (about 5 miles inside it) and MT 200 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Avon. Nearby: Helena (13 miles), Deer Lodge (15 miles), Drummond (17 miles) and East Helena (18 miles).
Which districts border HD 293?
HD 293 touches 10 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 215 | East Deer Lodge | 49.4% | 346 | 286 |
| HD 281 | Upper Blackfoot | 74.9% | 77 | 373 |
| HD 284 | Lincoln Archery District | 12.6% | 15 | 27 |
| HD 291 | East Garnet Range | 20.1% | 133 | 110 |
| HD 298 | Ovando-Helmville | 6.8% | 56 | 108 |
| HD 335 | Helena-South | 54.4% | 227 | 330 |
| HD 339 | Sieben-Sleeping Giant | 28.6% | 176 | 202 |
| HD 343 | Helena-North | 52.8% | 165 | 241 |
| HD 421 | Birdtail Hills-South Dearborn | 11.4% | 184 | 800 |
| HD 422 | North Dearborn | 45.1% | 136 | 306 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 293 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls in HD 293 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 71). FWP also lists 2 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 293?
Avon is inside the district. Just outside: Helena (13 miles), Deer Lodge (15 miles) and Drummond (17 miles).
Does HD 293 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 9 areas covering 43,449 acres in HD 293: 5 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 4 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Sieben, Graveley & Mcintosh Ranches at 11,650 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 293?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 293 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 293
Those portions of Powell and Lewis and Clark Counties lying within the following described boundaries: Beginning at Rogers Pass, then south along the Continental Divide to MacDonald Pass,then west along US Highway 12 to Avon, then northwest along State Route 141 to its junction with the Ogden Mountain Road (USFS Road 1163), then north along said road to its junction with State Route 200, then east along said highway to its intersection with the section line between Sections 28 and 29, T14N, R9W, then south along said section line to its junction with the Sauerkraut Road, then easterly along said road to its junction with the Dalton Mountain Road,then southeasterly along said road to its junction with the Herrin Lakes Road, then southeasterly along said Herrin Lakes Road to its intersection with Stemple Pass-Poorman Creek Road, then northerly along said road to its intersection with the southern boundary of Section 19, T14N, R8W, then east along the southern boundary of Sections 19 and 20 to the southeast corner of Section 20,then north along the boundary of Sections 20 and 21 to the Blackfoot River, then easterly up the Blackfoot River to its confluence with the Landers Fork, then northeasterly up said river to the bridge at State Route 200, then northeasterly to Rogers Pass, 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 71.
- 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 215 HD 281 HD 284 HD 291 HD 298 HD 335 HD 339 HD 343 HD 421 HD 422