Hunting District 502, Crow Line: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 502 (Crow Line) is 10.4% public land, most of it BLM (30,456 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 70 elk and 952 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 384 elk hunters spent 2,691 days here and took 58 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 landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 502Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 5, South-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 469,333 acres (733 square miles) |
| Public land | 10.4% (48,929 acres) |
| Block Management | 8 areas, 11,069 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 70 (24 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 952 (650 mule deer, 302 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 | Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, Bearcreek, Red Lodge and Laurel |
HD 502 lies between Billings, Laurel, Red Lodge and Belfry, along the Crow Reservation line, around Bridger, Fromberg and Joliet. An either-sex elk takes permit 502-20; the General Elk License covers antlerless elk. Public land is 10.4%.
How much public land is in HD 502?
10.4% of HD 502 is public land: 48,929 of its 469,333 acres. The largest share is BLM, 30,456 acres or 6.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 502 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 30,456 | 6.5% |
| State trust land | 17,751 | 3.8% |
| Other public | 2,440 | 0.5% |
| FWP land | 452 | 0.1% |
| National wildlife refuge | 270 | 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 502
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 8 areas in HD 502, 11,069 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Malone Livestock (2,185 acres, Type 1), Grewell Ranch (1,906 acres, Type 2), Selmes (1,831 acres, Type 1), Ch Ranch (1,668 acres, Type 1) and C Lazy E Ranch (1,506 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 502?
FWP estimates 70 elk were harvested in HD 502 in 2025: 24 bulls, 46 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 384 hunters took 58 elk, about 15 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 | 70 | 24 | 46 | 0 | 18 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 58 | 18 | 40 | 0 | 13 | 384 | 2,691 | 15 |
| 2023 | 115 | 50 | 65 | 0 | 34 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 46 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 16 | 332 | 3,197 | 14 |
| 2021 | 46 | 14 | 31 | 0 | 6 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 41 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 17 | 256 | 1,832 | 16 |
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 502?
FWP estimates 952 deer were harvested in HD 502 in 2025: 650 mule deer and 302 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,625 deer hunters spent 8,330 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 952 | 650 | 302 | 705 | 240 | 413 | 1,625 | 8,330 |
| 2024 | 842 | 506 | 337 | 640 | 202 | 414 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 884 | 565 | 319 | 591 | 282 | 340 | 1,568 | 7,793 |
| 2022 | 1,046 | 633 | 413 | 624 | 421 | 375 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 754 | 477 | 277 | 473 | 279 | 284 | 1,357 | 6,709 |
| 2020 | 873 | 599 | 274 | 557 | 316 | 321 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 502 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 502:
| 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 | Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | |||
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | |
| Elk Permit: 502-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 5 | 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: 595-21 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 1,800 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | 1st and only choice. Valid in HDs 502, 535, 555, 590, and a portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12, west of Sumatra- Hysham Rd. 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 502 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 502 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 | |||
| General Deer License | Either-sex Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only youth ages 10-15. Only valid on private land. | ||
| Deer B License: 005-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 4,500 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid in all R5 HDs. |
| Deer B License: 502-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 150 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 107, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 502 before you go.
How do you get to HD 502?
Highways through the district: US 212 (about 56 miles inside it), US 310 (about 32 miles inside it) and I-90 (about 12 miles inside it). Towns inside: Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, Silesia, Rockvale and Montaqua. Nearby: Bearcreek (on the line), Red Lodge (on the line), Laurel (on the line) and Billings (3 miles).
Which districts border HD 502?
HD 502 touches 5 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 515 | Painted Robe | 7.5% | 340 | 1,095 |
| HD 525 | Beartooth-Absaroka | 63.8% | 421 | 1,198 |
| HD 555 | Pryor Mountains-Cottonwood Triangle | 62.6% | 59 | 260 |
| HD 575 | Absarokee | 4% | 245 | 1,145 |
| HD 590 | Bull Mountains-Pine Ridge | 9.7% | 766 | 1,734 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 502 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows antlerless elk in HD 502 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 107). FWP also lists 3 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 502?
Bridger, Fromberg and Joliet are inside the district. Just outside: Bearcreek (on the line), Red Lodge (on the line) and Laurel (on the line).
Does HD 502 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 8 areas covering 11,069 acres in HD 502: 6 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 2 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Malone Livestock at 2,185 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 502?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 502 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 502
Those portions of Carbon and Yellowstone Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Billings, then southeasterly along the Old Hardin Road (old Highway 87) to the Crow Reservation Boundary, then southwesterly along said boundary to Bowler-Sage Creek Road, then westerly and southerly along said road to Bowler-Bridger Road, then northwesterly along said road to its junction with US Highway 310, then northwesterly along said highway to its junction with State Route 72 south of Bridger, then southerly along said route to Belfry, then westerly along Route 308 to Red Lodge, then northerly and easterly along US Highway 212 to Laurel, then easterly along Interstate 90 to Billings, 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 107.
- 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.