Hunting District 447, Belt-Square Butte: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 447 (Belt-Square Butte) is 21.2% public land, most of it state trust land (65,011 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 277 elk and 807 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,063 elk hunters spent 7,041 days here and took 281 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 landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 447Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 4, North-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 565,508 acres (884 square miles) |
| Public land | 21.2% (120,128 acres) |
| Block Management | 4 areas, 19,753 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 277 (127 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 807 (431 mule deer, 376 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Antlerless elk (not on national forest lands) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Geraldine, Square Butte, Raynesford, Belt, Fort Benton and Denton |
HD 447 lies between Belt Creek, Geyser and Arrow Creek, around Geraldine and Square Butte. An either-sex elk takes permit 447-20; the General Elk License covers antlerless elk off national forest land. FWP estimated 277 elk were taken here in 2025.
How much public land is in HD 447?
21.2% of HD 447 is public land: 120,128 of its 565,508 acres. The largest share is state trust land, 65,011 acres or 11.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 447 |
|---|---|---|
| State trust land | 65,011 | 11.5% |
| National forest | 42,275 | 7.5% |
| BLM | 11,018 | 1.9% |
| National wildlife refuge | 1,824 | 0.3% |
| Other public | 201 | 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 447
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas in HD 447, 19,753 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Mr2 (8,838 acres, Type 2), Dawson Ranch (North) (5,553 acres, Type 2), 9 Bar Diamond (4,851 acres, Type 2) and Tureck (511 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 447?
FWP estimates 277 elk were harvested in HD 447 in 2025: 127 bulls, 141 cows and 9 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,063 hunters took 281 elk, about 26 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 | 277 | 127 | 141 | 9 | 88 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 281 | 146 | 132 | 3 | 118 | 1,063 | 7,041 | 26 |
| 2023 | 286 | 109 | 171 | 6 | 90 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 230 | 118 | 109 | 3 | 95 | 978 | 6,383 | 24 |
| 2021 | 246 | 99 | 143 | 4 | 63 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 224 | 88 | 136 | 0 | 84 | 928 | 6,104 | 24 |
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 447?
FWP estimates 807 deer were harvested in HD 447 in 2025: 431 mule deer and 376 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,613 deer hunters spent 9,805 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 807 | 431 | 376 | 604 | 200 | 423 | 1,613 | 9,805 |
| 2024 | 1,103 | 581 | 522 | 889 | 211 | 675 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 1,042 | 602 | 441 | 822 | 217 | 621 | 1,712 | 9,530 |
| 2022 | 1,174 | 630 | 544 | 882 | 292 | 627 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 1,034 | 681 | 353 | 771 | 259 | 552 | 1,817 | 9,402 |
| 2020 | 1,096 | 670 | 426 | 830 | 256 | 608 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 447 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 447:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest lands. | ||
| Elk B License: 004-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-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. |
| Elk B License: 447-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest lands. | ||
| Elk B License: 447-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | ||
| Elk Permit: 447-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 100 | 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. |
| Elk Permit: 447-21 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 400 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | 1st and only choice. 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 447 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 447 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 29) and mule deer bucks (Oct 24-Nov 15, outside the national forest boundary).
| 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 15 | Only valid outside National Forest boundary. | |||
| 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: 447-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private land. |
| Deer Permit: 447-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 50 | Nov 16-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid outside National Forest boundary. Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD. | |
| Deer Permit: 447-51 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 20 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid inside National Forest boundary. Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD. |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 104, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 447 before you go.
How do you get to HD 447?
Highways through the district: MT 80 (about 14 miles inside it), US 87 (about 12 miles inside it), MT 200 (about 12 miles inside it) and MT 3 (about 12 miles inside it). Towns inside: Geraldine, Square Butte and Raynesford. Nearby: Belt (on the line), Fort Benton (on the line), Denton (11 miles) and Stanford (12 miles).
Which districts border HD 447?
HD 447 touches 6 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 405 | Carter | 7.1% | 18 | 794 |
| HD 413 | Northwest Little Belt Mountains | 34.3% | 374 | 1,263 |
| HD 419 | Stanford | 10.4% | 58 | 505 |
| HD 426 | Winifred | 20.8% | 122 | 448 |
| HD 432 | Otter Creek | 46.8% | 115 | 282 |
| HD 471 | Geraldine | 19.2% | 15 | 329 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 447 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk (not on national forest lands) in HD 447 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 104). FWP also lists 4 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 447?
Geraldine, Square Butte and Raynesford are inside the district. Just outside: Belt (on the line), Fort Benton (on the line) and Denton (11 miles).
Does HD 447 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 4 areas covering 19,753 acres in HD 447: all 4 are Type 2, where the landowner or FWP gives permission. The largest is Mr2 at 8,838 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 447?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 447 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 447
Those portions of Cascade, Chouteau and Judith Basin Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Highway 87 at Geyser, then northwesterly along said highway to Belt Creek, then northerly down said creek to Route 228 near Highwood, then northeasterly along said route to Highway 80 near Ft. Benton, then southerly along said highway to Arrow Creek, then southwesterly up said creek to the Geyser-Geraldine Route 551, then south along said route to Geyser, 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 104.
- 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.