Hunting District 360, Madison Range: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 360 (Madison Range) is 54.6% public land, most of it national forest (218,122 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 629 elk and 483 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 3,402 elk hunters spent 25,702 days here and took 1,099 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 360Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 3, Southwest Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 434,101 acres (678 square miles) |
| Public land | 54.6% (237,063 acres) |
| Block Management | 2 areas, 2,693 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 629 (258 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 483 (221 mule deer, 262 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Big Sky, McAllister, Jeffers, Ennis, West Yellowstone and Virginia City |
HD 360 is the west side of the Madison Range above the Madison Valley, from Ennis north toward Big Sky. FWP notes Bear Creek WMA is closed December 2 to May 15.
How much public land is in HD 360?
54.6% of HD 360 is public land: 237,063 of its 434,101 acres. The largest share is national forest, 218,122 acres or 50.2% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 360 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 218,122 | 50.2% |
| State trust land | 10,179 | 2.3% |
| BLM | 4,877 | 1.1% |
| FWP land | 3,885 | 0.9% |
| Other public | 215 | 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 360
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas in HD 360, 2,693 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Olliffe Ranch (1,926 acres, Type 1) and Bear Creek (767 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management areas in HD 360: Bear Creek WMA (3,468 acres here) and Wall Creek WMA (34 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 360?
FWP estimates 629 elk were harvested in HD 360 in 2025: 258 bulls, 364 cows and 7 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 3,402 hunters took 1,099 elk, about 32 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 | 629 | 258 | 364 | 7 | 121 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 1,099 | 377 | 695 | 27 | 143 | 3,402 | 25,702 | 32 |
| 2023 | 714 | 313 | 379 | 23 | 101 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 1,697 | 733 | 902 | 62 | 391 | 3,541 | 24,210 | 48 |
| 2021 | 794 | 366 | 390 | 38 | 189 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 533 | 263 | 250 | 19 | 114 | 2,281 | 16,174 | 23 |
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 360?
FWP estimates 483 deer were harvested in HD 360 in 2025: 221 mule deer and 262 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,637 deer hunters spent 10,661 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 483 | 221 | 262 | 328 | 155 | 204 | 1,637 | 10,661 |
| 2024 | 481 | 221 | 260 | 346 | 128 | 213 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 383 | 182 | 201 | 281 | 95 | 173 | 1,484 | 10,206 |
| 2022 | 462 | 198 | 264 | 289 | 171 | 149 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 341 | 141 | 200 | 228 | 113 | 156 | 1,139 | 7,573 |
| 2020 | 366 | 146 | 220 | 246 | 117 | 143 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 360 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 360:
| 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 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Elk License | Either-sex Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 12-15 and hunters with a PTHFV. | ||
| Elk B License: 360-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest. |
| Elk B License: 360-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 250 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 |
When is deer season in HD 360 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 360 allows mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 29) and white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-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 Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | |||||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | ||||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| Deer B License: 003-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | One per hunter. Valid in all Region 3 HDs. |
| Deer B License: 399-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Per hunter license quota set annually. Multi-district license. |
FWP's notes for HD 360: HD 360 Check Restricted Area Legal Description (p 28-30) Ennis Airport Weapons Restriction Area; Jeffers Weapons Restriction Area; Bear Creek WMA closed Dec 02 - May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 84, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 360 before you go.
How do you get to HD 360?
Highways through the district: US 287 (about 66 miles inside it) and MT 64 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Big Sky, McAllister and Jeffers. Nearby: Ennis (on the line), West Yellowstone (8 miles) and Virginia City (9 miles).
Which districts border HD 360?
HD 360 touches 5 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 304 | Spanish Peaks | 42.3% | 83 | 185 |
| HD 310 | Upper Gallatin | 90.8% | 58 | 74 |
| HD 320 | Tobacco Root Mountains | 47% | 451 | 1,305 |
| HD 323 | Gravelly-Centennial | 73.3% | 748 | 671 |
| HD 361 | Hebgen-Upper Madison | 80% | 79 | 44 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 360 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk in HD 360 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 84). FWP also lists 2 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 360?
Big Sky, McAllister and Jeffers are inside the district. Just outside: Ennis (on the line), West Yellowstone (8 miles) and Virginia City (9 miles).
Does HD 360 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas covering 2,693 acres in HD 360: 1 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Olliffe Ranch at 1,926 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 360?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 360 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
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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 84.
- 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.