Hunting District 420, Judith River WMA-Sage Creek: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 420 (Judith River WMA-Sage Creek) is 53% public land, most of it national forest (13,601 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 80 elk and 130 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 314 elk hunters spent 2,385 days here and took 80 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 420Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 49,506 acres (77 square miles) |
| Public land | 53% (26,255 acres) |
| Block Management | 2 areas, 2,141 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 80 (34 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 130 (78 mule deer, 52 white-tailed) |
| Bull elk | Elk Permit 420-20 (quota 80, apply by April 1) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Utica, Hobson, Stanford and Neihart |
HD 420 is the Judith River WMA and Sage Creek country around Utica, 77 square miles. FWP land is 17.5% of it. The General Elk License covers the archery-only season; in the rifle season a brow-tined bull takes permit 420-20. FWP closes the WMA December 2 to May 15.
How much public land is in HD 420?
53% of HD 420 is public land: 26,255 of its 49,506 acres. The largest share is national forest, 13,601 acres or 27.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 420 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 13,601 | 27.5% |
| FWP land | 8,643 | 17.5% |
| State trust land | 3,536 | 7.1% |
| BLM | 475 | 1% |
| Other public | 4 | 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 420
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas in HD 420, 2,141 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: B. Neumann Kimble Place (1,224 acres, Type 1) and Judith River (918 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 420: Judith River WMA (9,394 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 420?
FWP estimates 80 elk were harvested in HD 420 in 2025: 34 bulls, 45 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 314 hunters took 80 elk, about 25 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 | 80 | 34 | 45 | 0 | 11 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 80 | 41 | 37 | 3 | 15 | 314 | 2,385 | 25 |
| 2023 | 37 | 12 | 25 | 0 | 6 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 58 | 21 | 37 | 0 | 10 | 296 | 2,061 | 20 |
| 2021 | 83 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 13 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 39 | 18 | 19 | 2 | 10 | 332 | 2,147 | 12 |
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 420?
FWP estimates 130 deer were harvested in HD 420 in 2025: 78 mule deer and 52 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 382 deer hunters spent 2,558 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 130 | 78 | 52 | 111 | 19 | 74 | 382 | 2,558 |
| 2024 | 115 | 71 | 43 | 90 | 24 | 65 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 118 | 66 | 52 | 85 | 30 | 70 | 332 | 1,921 |
| 2022 | 90 | 40 | 51 | 65 | 26 | 55 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 119 | 81 | 38 | 108 | 11 | 74 | 300 | 1,981 |
| 2020 | 104 | 44 | 61 | 74 | 30 | 43 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 420 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 420:
| 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 | |||||
| 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. |
| Elk B License: 448-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 150 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid in HDs 420 and 448. |
| Elk Permit: 420-20 | Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless Elk | April 1 | 80 | 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 420 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 420 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. |
FWP's notes for HD 420: Judith-River WMA Area Map and Rules available at FWP-R4 HQ 406-454-5840. Judith River WMA closed Dec 02 - May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 97, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 420 before you go.
How do you get to HD 420?
No numbered highway crosses the district. Towns inside: Utica. Nearby: Hobson (11 miles), Stanford (11 miles), Neihart (15 miles) and Moore (19 miles).
Which districts border HD 420?
HD 420 touches 2 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 418 | South Judith Basin | 21% | 186 | 278 |
| HD 448 | North Judith Basin-Central Little Belts | 73.8% | 124 | 304 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 420 on a general license?
Only in the archery-only season, September 5 to October 18. In the general season FWP's 2026 table for HD 420 lists elk hunting on drawn permits and B licenses (regulations page 97). A brow-tined bull or an antlerless elk takes Elk Permit 420-20 (quota 80, apply by April 1), used with the General Elk License.
What is the closest town to HD 420?
Utica is inside the district. Just outside: Hobson (11 miles), Stanford (11 miles) and Neihart (15 miles).
Does HD 420 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 2 areas covering 2,141 acres in HD 420: both are Type 1, where hunters give themselves permission. The largest is B. Neumann Kimble Place at 1,224 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 420?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 420 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 420
That portion of Judith Basin County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the junction of the Judith River Road and the bridge over the Middle Fork of the Judith River, then westerly along said fork to its confluence with Yogo Creek, then northwesterly along said creek to Bear Gulch Road, then up said road and trail to Bear Park, then northerly and easterly along the Bear Park Road to the Sage Creek Road, then easterly along said road to its junction with the Windham-Utica Road, then easterly along said road to Utica, then along the Judith River Road to the junction of said road and the Middle Fork of the Judith River, 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 97.
- 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.