Hunting District 406, Upper Marias-Dupuyer: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 406 (Upper Marias-Dupuyer) is 9% public land, most of it state trust land (30,378 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 7 elk and 445 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 78 elk hunters spent 405 days here and took 11 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 406Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 452,168 acres (707 square miles) |
| Public land | 9% (40,803 acres) |
| Block Management | 6 areas, 37,736 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 7 (3 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 445 (239 mule deer, 207 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Elk of either sex |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Conrad, Cut Bank, Valier, Shelby, Kevin and Choteau |
HD 406 lies around Conrad, Valier, Cut Bank and Dupuyer on the upper Marias River. Marias River WMA has 7,772 acres, and FWP limits deer hunting there to access permits. The general deer season runs three weeks.
How much public land is in HD 406?
9% of HD 406 is public land: 40,803 of its 452,168 acres. The largest share is state trust land, 30,378 acres or 6.7% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 406 |
|---|---|---|
| State trust land | 30,378 | 6.7% |
| FWP land | 7,282 | 1.6% |
| BLM | 3,143 | 0.7% |
| Other public | 1,302 | 0.3% |
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 406
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas in HD 406, 37,736 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Loneman Coulee (21,987 acres, Type 1), Birch Creek Colony (7,888 acres, Type 1), Gernaat Land And Livestock (3,900 acres, Type 2), Double A (2,050 acres, Type 1) and Little Valley Ranch (1,432 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 406: Marias River WMA (7,772 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 406?
FWP estimates 7 elk were harvested in HD 406 in 2025: 3 bulls, 4 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 78 hunters took 11 elk, about 14 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 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 78 | 405 | 14 |
| 2023 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 281 | 10 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 462 | 3 |
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 406?
FWP estimates 445 deer were harvested in HD 406 in 2025: 239 mule deer and 207 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 731 deer hunters spent 3,305 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 445 | 239 | 207 | 281 | 164 | 210 | 731 | 3,305 |
| 2024 | 605 | 297 | 307 | 354 | 248 | 246 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 509 | 275 | 233 | 311 | 197 | 190 | 715 | 3,328 |
| 2022 | 557 | 262 | 295 | 348 | 209 | 229 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 487 | 210 | 276 | 253 | 227 | 180 | 620 | 3,176 |
| 2020 | 581 | 258 | 324 | 321 | 253 | 213 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 406 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 406:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Either-sex Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest lands, FWP WMAs, or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HDs 410 and 455 as listed under each HD. |
When is deer season in HD 406 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 406 allows mule deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 15) and white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 15).
| 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 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | 3 week general season. | |||
| General Deer License | Either-sex White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | 3 week general season. | |||
| Deer B License: 004-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | One per hunter. Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. | |
| Deer B License: 004-01 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 2,000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. | |
| Deer B License: 406-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 200 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 15 | ||
| Deer Permit: 406-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 45 | Nov 16-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: 406-51 | Antlered Buck White-tailed Deer | April 1 | 25 | Nov 16-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. |
FWP's notes for HD 406: Marias River WMA limited access permits for deer hunting. Check FWP website for info. Contact FWP-R4 HQ 406-454-5840, in Great Falls. Elk numbers are low and elk will be difficult to find.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, pages 91 to 92, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 406 before you go.
How do you get to HD 406?
Highways through the district: MT 44 (about 28 miles inside it), US 89 (about 21 miles inside it), I-15 (about 21 miles inside it), US 2 (about 5 miles inside it) and MT 21 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Conrad, Cut Bank, Valier and Dupuyer. Nearby: Shelby (on the line), Kevin (14 miles) and Choteau (18 miles).
Which districts border HD 406?
HD 406 touches 5 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 400 | Lower Marias River | 12.8% | 27 | 1,091 |
| HD 401 | Sweet Grass Hills | 9.3% | 106 | 758 |
| HD 403 | Cut Bank | 11.7% | 10 | 225 |
| HD 404 | Lower Teton River | 7.5% | 3 | 994 |
| HD 441 | North Fork Birch Creek-Teton | 37.9% | 123 | 243 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 406 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows elk of either sex in HD 406 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 91). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 406?
Conrad, Cut Bank and Valier are inside the district. Just outside: Shelby (on the line), Kevin (14 miles) and Choteau (18 miles).
Does HD 406 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas covering 37,736 acres in HD 406: 5 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 1 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Loneman Coulee at 21,987 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 406?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 406 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, pages 91 to 92.
- 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.