Hunting District 390, Sixteenmile Creek: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 390 (Sixteenmile Creek) is 9.8% public land, the largest part BLM (10,061 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 162 elk and 233 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 790 elk hunters spent 6,178 days here and took 214 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 landBureau of ReclamationOther publicHD 390Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 3, Southwest Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 217,786 acres (340 square miles) |
| Public land | 9.8% (21,320 acres) |
| Block Management | 4 areas, 5,536 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 162 (97 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 233 (162 mule deer, 70 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 | Wheatland, Toston, Three Forks, Townsend and Manhattan |
HD 390 is the Sixteenmile Creek and Missouri River country between Three Forks, Toston and Wheatland, along US 287. Only 9.8% is public land. The General Elk License allows a brow-tined bull or an antlerless elk in the general season.
How much public land is in HD 390?
9.8% of HD 390 is public land: 21,320 of its 217,786 acres. The largest share is BLM, 10,061 acres or 4.6% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 390 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 10,061 | 4.6% |
| State trust land | 7,140 | 3.3% |
| National forest | 3,701 | 1.7% |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 410 | 0.2% |
| Other public | 68 | under 0.1% |
| FWP land | 8 | 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 390
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas in HD 390, 5,536 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Williams Ranch (2,008 acres, Type 1), Bar None Ranch (1,570 acres, Type 2), Davis Bar Triangle T Ranch (1,400 acres, Type 1) and Hidden Hollow (558 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 390?
FWP estimates 162 elk were harvested in HD 390 in 2025: 97 bulls, 61 cows and 4 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 790 hunters took 214 elk, about 27 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 | 162 | 97 | 61 | 4 | 49 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 214 | 73 | 141 | 0 | 39 | 790 | 6,178 | 27 |
| 2023 | 163 | 68 | 96 | 0 | 41 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 202 | 100 | 99 | 3 | 57 | 722 | 4,807 | 28 |
| 2021 | 143 | 62 | 77 | 4 | 33 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 288 | 133 | 152 | 4 | 78 | 952 | 6,285 | 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 390?
FWP estimates 233 deer were harvested in HD 390 in 2025: 162 mule deer and 70 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 715 deer hunters spent 4,935 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 233 | 162 | 70 | 165 | 68 | 99 | 715 | 4,935 |
| 2024 | 275 | 147 | 128 | 196 | 79 | 104 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 223 | 150 | 72 | 187 | 35 | 98 | 666 | 4,513 |
| 2022 | 234 | 150 | 84 | 158 | 76 | 97 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 221 | 150 | 71 | 174 | 47 | 88 | 584 | 3,853 |
| 2020 | 211 | 160 | 51 | 148 | 63 | 66 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 390 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 390:
| 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. | ||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not Valid on National Forest Lands. | ||||
| Elk B License: 397-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | One per hunter, multi-district license. In HD 390, only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 397-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | One per hunter, multi-district license. In HD 390, not valid on National Forest Lands. |
When is deer season in HD 390 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 390 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 | Unlimited | 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: 390-01 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 75 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 87, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 390 before you go.
How do you get to HD 390?
Highways through the district: US 287 (about 25 miles inside it) and I-90 (about 3 miles inside it). Towns inside: Wheatland and Toston. Nearby: Three Forks (on the line), Townsend (4 miles), Manhattan (9 miles) and Belgrade (19 miles).
Which districts border HD 390?
HD 390 touches 8 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 311 | Lower Madison | 13.4% | 198 | 948 |
| HD 312 | West Bridger | 23% | 281 | 595 |
| HD 315 | West Slope Crazy Mountains | 20.4% | 389 | 631 |
| HD 380 | Radersburg | 42.1% | 419 | 723 |
| HD 391 | Dry Creek-Avalanche | 39.3% | 313 | 677 |
| HD 393 | East Bridger | 12.6% | 507 | 598 |
| HD 451 | Southeast Big Belt Mountains | 17.3% | 39 | 46 |
| HD 580 | East Slope Crazy Mountains | 22.4% | 802 | 727 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 390 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk in HD 390 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 87). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 390?
Wheatland and Toston are inside the district. Just outside: Three Forks (on the line), Townsend (4 miles) and Manhattan (9 miles).
Does HD 390 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas covering 5,536 acres in HD 390: 3 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Williams Ranch at 2,008 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 390?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 390 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 87.
- 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 3 HD 311 HD 312 HD 315 HD 380 HD 391 HD 393 HD 451 HD 580