Hunting District 411, Snowy Mountains: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 411 (Snowy Mountains) is 20.7% public land, the largest part national forest (66,229 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 845 elk and 1,225 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters here, it counted them by part: 1,381 elk hunters in HD 411E and 902 elk hunters in HD 411W.
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 landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 411Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 754,384 acres (1,179 square miles) |
| Public land | 20.7% (155,962 acres) |
| Block Management | 6 areas, 7,602 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 845 (483 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 1,225 (394 mule deer, 831 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Spike 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 | Lewistown, Moore, Grass Range, Winnett, Judith Gap and Hobson |
HD 411 is the Snowy Mountains country south and east of Lewistown, between US 87, MT 200 and Winnett. Since 2021 FWP has reported its elk harvest in two parts, 411E and 411W. The General Elk License allows a spike bull or an antlerless elk.
How much public land is in HD 411?
20.7% of HD 411 is public land: 155,962 of its 754,384 acres. The largest share is national forest, 66,229 acres or 8.8% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 411 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 66,229 | 8.8% |
| BLM | 59,214 | 7.8% |
| State trust land | 28,777 | 3.8% |
| Other public | 3,950 | 0.5% |
| National wildlife refuge | 1,667 | 0.2% |
| FWP land | 75 | 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 411
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas in HD 411, 7,602 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Cottonwood Creek (3,042 acres, Type 2), Roat Ranch (1,643 acres, Type 2), Winnett-South (1,267 acres, Type 1), Pike Creek (1,129 acres, Type 1) and Lee Ranch (280 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 411?
FWP estimates 845 elk were harvested in HD 411 in 2025: 483 bulls, 354 cows and 8 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters here in 2024, by part: HD 411E, 1,381 hunters and 534 elk and HD 411W, 902 hunters and 355 elk.
| Year | Elk harvested | Bulls | Cows | Calves | Bulls 6 points or more | Elk hunters | Hunter days | Elk per 100 hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (411E + 411W) | 845 | 483 | 354 | 8 | 378 | by part | by part | |
| 2024 (411E + 411W) | 889 | 376 | 492 | 21 | 282 | by part | by part | |
| 2023 (411E + 411W) | 846 | 298 | 528 | 20 | 245 | by part | by part | |
| 2022 (411E + 411W) | 695 | 266 | 422 | 7 | 199 | by part | by part | |
| 2021 (411E + 411W) | 500 | 191 | 295 | 14 | 100 | by part | by part | |
| 2020 | 700 | 345 | 338 | 18 | 231 | 1,976 | 13,506 | 35 |
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. For 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, FWP reports HD 411's elk harvest in parts (411E and 411W) and prints no line for the whole district; the harvest shown for those years is the parts added together. Hunters are not added, because one hunter can hunt more than one part.
How many deer are harvested in HD 411?
FWP estimates 1,225 deer were harvested in HD 411 in 2025: 394 mule deer and 831 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 2,383 deer hunters spent 14,657 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,225 | 394 | 831 | 921 | 302 | 678 | 2,383 | 14,657 |
| 2024 | 1,538 | 439 | 1,100 | 1,114 | 425 | 840 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 1,386 | 433 | 953 | 990 | 396 | 788 | 2,390 | 13,501 |
| 2022 | 1,477 | 435 | 1,041 | 1,030 | 437 | 807 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 1,739 | 635 | 1,104 | 1,242 | 497 | 943 | 2,654 | 15,250 |
| 2020 | 1,760 | 707 | 1,053 | 1,229 | 526 | 972 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 411 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 411:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land. | ||||
| General Elk License | Spike Bull or Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest land. | ||||
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | 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. |
| Elk B License: 411-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 1,200 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 411-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 1,200 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Valid in HDs 411 and 535. |
| Elk Permit: 411-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 350 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | 1st and only choice. Only valid in HDs 411 and 535.Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
| Elk Permit: 411-21 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 1000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | 1st and only choice. Valid in 411 and 412. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Elk in any other HD during these described season dates. |
When is deer season in HD 411 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 411 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 29) and mule deer bucks (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 White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Deer License | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| Deer B License: 004-00 | 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 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 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid in all Region 4 HDs except HD 455. |
| Deer B License: 411-01 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 50 | 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 93, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 411 before you go.
How do you get to HD 411?
Highways through the district: US 87 (about 66 miles inside it), MT 200 (about 66 miles inside it), US 191 (about 31 miles inside it) and MT 3 (about 16 miles inside it). Towns inside: Lewistown, Moore and Grass Range. Nearby: Winnett (on the line), Judith Gap (5 miles) and Hobson (6 miles).
Which districts border HD 411?
HD 411 touches 5 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 410 | Missouri River Breaks | 47.4% | 452 | 221 |
| HD 412 | Judith and Moccasin Mountains | 15.6% | 253 | 732 |
| HD 418 | South Judith Basin | 21% | 186 | 278 |
| HD 419 | Stanford | 10.4% | 58 | 505 |
| HD 535 | Southern Snowy Mountains | 17.5% | 482 | 571 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 411 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows spike bulls or antlerless elk in HD 411 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 93). FWP also lists 4 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 411?
Lewistown, Moore and Grass Range are inside the district. Just outside: Winnett (on the line), Judith Gap (5 miles) and Hobson (6 miles).
Does HD 411 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas covering 7,602 acres in HD 411: 4 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 2 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Cottonwood Creek at 3,042 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 411?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 411 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 411
Those portions of Golden Valley, Fergus, and Judith Basin Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Lewistown, then east on State Highway 200 to Winnett, then southwesterly on the Winnett to Roundup Road (FAS244) to its junction with US Highway 87, then north on said highway approximately four miles to Flat Willow Creek, then westerly up said creek to the South Fork of Flat Willow Creek, then westerly up said creek to Red Hill Road, then south along said road to the Snowy Mountain Divide, then westerly along said divide to the head of Meadow Creek, then westerly down said creek to US Highway 191, then northerly along said highway to US Highway 87, then on said highway to Lewistown, 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 93.
- 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.