Hunting District 425, Sun River WMA: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 425 (Sun River WMA) is 42% public land, the largest part FWP land (15,847 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 98 elk and 203 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 461 elk hunters spent 2,781 days here and took 76 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 425Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 91,417 acres (143 square miles) |
| Public land | 42% (38,439 acres) |
| Block Management | None mapped for 2026 |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 98 (18 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 203 (89 mule deer, 114 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Antlerless elk |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Choteau and Fairfield |
HD 425 holds most of the Sun River WMA (18,672 acres here) on the Rocky Mountain Front west of Augusta and Choteau. FWP's antlerless B licenses 425-00, 425-01 and 425-02 each run one week, from October 19 to November 8, and are valid on the whole district, WMA included. An either-sex elk takes permit 425-20.
How much public land is in HD 425?
42% of HD 425 is public land: 38,439 of its 91,417 acres. The largest share is FWP land, 15,847 acres or 17.3% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 425 |
|---|---|---|
| FWP land | 15,847 | 17.3% |
| State trust land | 11,711 | 12.8% |
| BLM | 5,951 | 6.5% |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 4,530 | 5% |
| National forest | 400 | 0.4% |
| Other public | 86 | 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.
Wildlife management area in HD 425: Sun River WMA (18,672 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 425?
FWP estimates 98 elk were harvested in HD 425 in 2025: 18 bulls, 74 cows and 7 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 461 hunters took 76 elk, about 16 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 | 98 | 18 | 74 | 7 | 6 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 76 | 32 | 44 | 0 | 13 | 461 | 2,781 | 16 |
| 2023 | 66 | 34 | 32 | 0 | 14 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 51 | 25 | 26 | 0 | 13 | 338 | 1,990 | 15 |
| 2021 | 43 | 19 | 24 | 0 | 8 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 78 | 36 | 35 | 7 | 16 | 505 | 3,156 | 15 |
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 425?
FWP estimates 203 deer were harvested in HD 425 in 2025: 89 mule deer and 114 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 531 deer hunters spent 3,020 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 203 | 89 | 114 | 129 | 74 | 81 | 531 | 3,020 |
| 2024 | 240 | 130 | 110 | 151 | 87 | 93 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 281 | 148 | 132 | 206 | 74 | 114 | 534 | 2,688 |
| 2022 | 214 | 99 | 115 | 124 | 90 | 91 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 182 | 76 | 106 | 131 | 51 | 93 | 487 | 3,082 |
| 2020 | 324 | 105 | 219 | 227 | 97 | 144 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 425 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 425:
| 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 | |||||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid outside the Sun River WMA. | |||
| 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: 425-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 30 | Oct 19-Oct 25 | Valid entire HD including Sun River WMA. | ||
| Elk B License: 425-01 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 25 | Oct 26-Nov 1 | Valid entire HD including Sun River WMA. | ||
| Elk B License: 425-02 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 20 | Nov 2-Nov 8 | Valid entire HD including Sun River WMA. | ||
| Elk Permit: 425-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 5 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid entire HD including Sun River WMA. 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 425 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 425 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 29) and mule 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 White-tailed Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Deer License | Either-sex 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 425: Sun River WMA Area Map and Rules available at FWP-R4 HQ 406-454-5840. Sun River WMA closed Dec 02 - May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 99, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 425 before you go.
How do you get to HD 425?
No numbered highway crosses the district. Nearby: Choteau (18 miles) and Fairfield (19 miles).
Which districts border HD 425?
HD 425 touches 5 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 422 | North Dearborn | 45.1% | 136 | 306 |
| HD 424 | Benchmark | 98.2% | 4 | 99 |
| HD 442 | Sun River | 98.9% | 44 | 94 |
| HD 444 | Lower Sun River | 16% | 22 | 592 |
| HD 450 | Choteau | 23.5% | 53 | 227 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 425 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk in HD 425 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 99). FWP also lists 5 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 425?
No town is inside it. The nearest are Choteau (18 miles) and Fairfield (19 miles).
Does HD 425 have Block Management?
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows no Block Management area in HD 425.
Where is FWP's map of HD 425?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 425 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 425
That portion of Lewis and Clark County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Augusta, then north and east along US Highway 287 to the Sun River, then westerly along said river to the USFS boundary, then south along said boundary to crest of Sawtooth Mountain, then along the crest of Sawtooth Mountain to Cutrock Creek, then westerly up said creek to the crest of Lime Ridge, then south along the crest of Lime Ridge to the USFS boundary, then south along said boundary to the Benchmark Road, then easterly along said road to Augusta, 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 99.
- 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.