Hunting District 446, Northeast Big Belt Mountains: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 446 (Northeast Big Belt Mountains) is 23.1% public land, most of it national forest (57,851 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 294 elk and 295 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,140 elk hunters spent 7,253 days here and took 399 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 446Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 379,826 acres (593 square miles) |
| Public land | 23.1% (87,615 acres) |
| Block Management | 7 areas, 36,098 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 294 (143 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 295 (108 mule deer, 187 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Antlerless elk (not on national forest Land or FWP WMAs) and brow-tined 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 | White Sulphur Springs and Townsend |
HD 446 is the northeast Big Belt Mountains west of White Sulphur Springs, down to the Smith River. Smith River WMA has 1,198 acres here and is closed December 2 to May 15. Off national forest land and FWP WMAs, the General Elk License covers antlerless elk from October 19 to 23.
How much public land is in HD 446?
23.1% of HD 446 is public land: 87,615 of its 379,826 acres. The largest share is national forest, 57,851 acres or 15.2% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 446 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 57,851 | 15.2% |
| State trust land | 25,057 | 6.6% |
| BLM | 3,320 | 0.9% |
| FWP land | 1,387 | 0.4% |
| Other public | 120 | 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 446
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas in HD 446, 36,098 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Birch Creek (15,372 acres, Type 1), Springdale Colony (9,731 acres, Type 1), Townsend Ranch (3,867 acres, Type 1), Rader Ranch (2,712 acres, Type 2) and Sieben Martien Place (2,153 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 446: Smith River WMA (1,198 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 446?
FWP estimates 294 elk were harvested in HD 446 in 2025: 143 bulls, 151 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,140 hunters took 399 elk, about 35 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 | 294 | 143 | 151 | 0 | 68 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 399 | 167 | 220 | 12 | 93 | 1,140 | 7,253 | 35 |
| 2023 | 432 | 232 | 190 | 9 | 100 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 361 | 217 | 140 | 4 | 130 | 1,081 | 6,807 | 33 |
| 2021 | 391 | 214 | 169 | 8 | 101 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 330 | 198 | 125 | 7 | 102 | 1,223 | 7,447 | 27 |
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 446?
FWP estimates 295 deer were harvested in HD 446 in 2025: 108 mule deer and 187 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 792 deer hunters spent 5,089 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 295 | 108 | 187 | 216 | 79 | 168 | 792 | 5,089 |
| 2024 | 368 | 136 | 231 | 261 | 104 | 200 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 344 | 127 | 218 | 246 | 99 | 157 | 829 | 4,900 |
| 2022 | 356 | 81 | 275 | 232 | 124 | 166 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 365 | 140 | 225 | 252 | 113 | 154 | 855 | 4,891 |
| 2020 | 422 | 145 | 278 | 274 | 148 | 186 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 446 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 446:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Oct 19-Oct 23 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest Land or FWP WMAs. | |||
| General Elk License | Brow-tined Bull or Antlerless 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 19-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 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. |
When is deer season in HD 446 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 446 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 446: Check the restricted area legal descriptions (regulations pages 28 to 30): Smith River WMA. Smith River WMA closed Dec 02 - May 15.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 103, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 446 before you go.
How do you get to HD 446?
Highways through the district: US 12 (about 9 miles inside it) and US 89 (about 8 miles inside it). Nearby: White Sulphur Springs (on the line) and Townsend (15 miles).
Which districts border HD 446?
HD 446 touches 8 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 391 | Dry Creek-Avalanche | 39.3% | 313 | 677 |
| HD 392 | Avalanche-Gates of the Mountains | 91.1% | 94 | 341 |
| HD 413 | Northwest Little Belt Mountains | 34.3% | 374 | 1,263 |
| HD 416 | Southwest Little Belt Mountains | 47.4% | 563 | 501 |
| HD 445 | Hound Creek | 12% | 521 | 879 |
| HD 451 | Southeast Big Belt Mountains | 17.3% | 39 | 46 |
| HD 452 | Castle Mountains | 38.6% | 299 | 345 |
| HD 455 | Beartooth WMA | 99.6% | 124 | 35 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 446 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk (not on national forest Land or FWP WMAs) and brow-tined bulls or antlerless elk in HD 446 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 103). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 446?
No town is inside it. The nearest are White Sulphur Springs (on the line) and Townsend (15 miles).
Does HD 446 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 7 areas covering 36,098 acres in HD 446: 4 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 3 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Birch Creek at 15,372 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 446?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 446 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, page 103.
- 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.
Montana hunting Region 4 HD 391 HD 392 HD 413 HD 416 HD 445 HD 451 HD 452 HD 455