Hunting District 412, Judith and Moccasin Mountains: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 412 (Judith and Moccasin Mountains) is 15.6% public land, most of it BLM (46,000 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 253 elk and 732 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 614 elk hunters spent 4,376 days here and took 186 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 412Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 422,638 acres (660 square miles) |
| Public land | 15.6% (66,135 acres) |
| Block Management | 3 areas, 4,600 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 253 (117 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 732 (353 mule deer, 379 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 | Roy, Warm Spring Creek, Brooks, Grass Range, Lewistown and Moore |
HD 412 is the Judith and Moccasin mountains north of Lewistown, between US 191, MT 81 and the Judith River. The General Elk License allows a spike bull or an antlerless elk; an either-sex elk takes permit 412-20. FWP estimated 253 elk were taken in 2025, the most since 2020.
How much public land is in HD 412?
15.6% of HD 412 is public land: 66,135 of its 422,638 acres. The largest share is BLM, 46,000 acres or 10.9% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 412 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 46,000 | 10.9% |
| State trust land | 20,111 | 4.8% |
| Other public | 148 | under 0.1% |
| FWP land | 24 | 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 412
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas in HD 412, 4,600 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Black Butte (2,462 acres, Type 2), Paradise Ranch (1,496 acres, Type 2) and Warm Springs (643 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 412?
FWP estimates 253 elk were harvested in HD 412 in 2025: 117 bulls, 129 cows and 7 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 614 hunters took 186 elk, about 30 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 | 253 | 117 | 129 | 7 | 90 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 186 | 107 | 76 | 3 | 73 | 614 | 4,376 | 30 |
| 2023 | 179 | 81 | 94 | 3 | 53 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 150 | 85 | 65 | 0 | 62 | 643 | 3,754 | 23 |
| 2021 | 160 | 78 | 82 | 0 | 45 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 175 | 95 | 79 | 0 | 67 | 630 | 4,548 | 28 |
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 412?
FWP estimates 732 deer were harvested in HD 412 in 2025: 353 mule deer and 379 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,139 deer hunters spent 6,654 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 732 | 353 | 379 | 540 | 192 | 371 | 1,139 | 6,654 |
| 2024 | 885 | 361 | 524 | 663 | 222 | 491 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 930 | 393 | 536 | 690 | 239 | 572 | 1,421 | 7,474 |
| 2022 | 918 | 467 | 451 | 645 | 273 | 457 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 998 | 524 | 474 | 695 | 303 | 488 | 1,508 | 7,674 |
| 2020 | 1,015 | 520 | 495 | 700 | 308 | 530 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 412 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 412:
| 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 | |||||
| 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 Permit: 411-21 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 1000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | 1st and only choice. Valid in HDs 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. | ||
| Elk Permit: 412-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 120 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | 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 412 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 412 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: 412-01 | 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, pages 93 to 94, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 412 before you go.
How do you get to HD 412?
Highways through the district: US 191 (about 34 miles inside it), MT 81 (about 16 miles inside it), MT 19 (about 7 miles inside it), US 87 (about 3 miles inside it) and MT 200 (about 3 miles inside it). Towns inside: Roy, Warm Spring Creek and Brooks. Nearby: Grass Range (on the line), Lewistown (2 miles), Moore (10 miles) and Denton (11 miles).
Which districts border HD 412?
HD 412 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 411 | Snowy Mountains | 20.7% | 845 | 1,225 |
| HD 417 | Armells Creek | 37.5% | 302 | 124 |
| HD 419 | Stanford | 10.4% | 58 | 505 |
| HD 426 | Winifred | 20.8% | 122 | 448 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 412 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows spike bulls or antlerless elk in HD 412 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 93). FWP also lists 3 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 412?
Roy, Warm Spring Creek and Brooks are inside the district. Just outside: Grass Range (on the line), Lewistown (2 miles) and Moore (10 miles).
Does HD 412 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas covering 4,600 acres in HD 412: all 3 are Type 2, where the landowner or FWP gives permission. The largest is Black Butte at 2,462 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 412?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 412 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 412
That portion of Fergus County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Lewistown, then easterly along US Highway 87 (State Route 200), to its junction with State Highway 19 at Grass Range, then north along said highway to its junction with US Highway 191 at Bohemian Corner, then westerly along US Highway 191 to Hilger, then north on the Winifred Road (FAS236) approximately three miles to the junction of Salt Creek Road, then northwesterly along said road to the Plum Creek Road, then southwesterly along said road to State Route 81, then westerly along said route to the Judith River, then southerly along said river to the Hanover Road (FAS426), then easterly along said route to US Highway 191, then southerly along said highway to its junction with US Highway 87, at 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, pages 93 to 94.
- 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.