Hunting District 525, Beartooth-Absaroka: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 525 (Beartooth-Absaroka) is 63.8% public land, most of it national forest (627,477 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 421 elk and 1,198 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 1,874 elk hunters spent 13,939 days here and took 512 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 525Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 5, South-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,043,903 acres (1,631 square miles) |
| Public land | 63.8% (665,892 acres) |
| Block Management | 6 areas, 3,819 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 421 (223 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 1,198 (484 mule deer, 714 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Elk of either sex |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Red Lodge, Big Timber, Fishtail, Bearcreek, Livingston and Columbus |
HD 525 is the north side of the Beartooth and Absaroka mountains, from Red Lodge west past the Stillwater and Boulder rivers toward Livingston, south to the Wyoming line.
How much public land is in HD 525?
63.8% of HD 525 is public land: 665,892 of its 1,043,903 acres. The largest share is national forest, 627,477 acres or 60.1% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 525 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 627,477 | 60.1% |
| State trust land | 25,639 | 2.5% |
| BLM | 11,515 | 1.1% |
| FWP land | 1,261 | 0.1% |
| Other public | 992 | 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 525
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas in HD 525, 3,819 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Jg Ranch (1,887 acres, Type 1), Gabrian Ranch (775 acres, Type 2), Kirch Ranch (462 acres, Type 2), Ferster Ranch (303 acres, Type 2) and Carter Ranch (292 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 525: Silver Run WMA (651 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 525?
FWP estimates 421 elk were harvested in HD 525 in 2025: 223 bulls, 198 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 1,874 hunters took 512 elk, about 27 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 | 421 | 223 | 198 | 0 | 105 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 512 | 220 | 292 | 0 | 120 | 1,874 | 13,939 | 27 |
| 2023 | 533 | 262 | 259 | 12 | 121 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 489 | 293 | 189 | 7 | 100 | 1,826 | 12,280 | 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 525?
FWP estimates 1,198 deer were harvested in HD 525 in 2025: 484 mule deer and 714 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 2,334 deer hunters spent 13,051 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,198 | 484 | 714 | 822 | 372 | 545 | 2,334 | 13,051 |
| 2024 | 1,199 | 398 | 801 | 809 | 387 | 526 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 1,020 | 377 | 643 | 650 | 367 | 410 | 2,110 | 12,779 |
| 2022 | 1,218 | 395 | 823 | 719 | 496 | 446 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 525 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 525:
| 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 | Either-sex Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest lands or FWP WMAs. | ||||
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest Lands. |
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | UNL | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest Land or FWP WMAs. |
When is deer season in HD 525 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 525 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: 525-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 50 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest Land or FWP WMAs. |
FWP's notes for HD 525: Check restricted area legal descriptions (p 28-30) Silver Run WMA closed to all hunting Dec 2-May 14.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 108, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 525 before you go.
How do you get to HD 525?
Highways through the district: I-90 (about 83 miles inside it), US 191 (about 51 miles inside it), MT 298 (about 28 miles inside it), MT 78 (about 10 miles inside it) and US 212 (about 5 miles inside it). Towns inside: Red Lodge, Big Timber, Fishtail, Luther, Greycliff and Nye. Nearby: Bearcreek (5 miles), Livingston (8 miles), Columbus (15 miles) and Clyde Park (15 miles).
Which districts border HD 525?
HD 525 touches 9 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 315 | West Slope Crazy Mountains | 20.4% | 389 | 631 |
| HD 316 | Absaroka | 98.3% | 28 | 76 |
| HD 317 | Upper Yellowstone East | 66.3% | 379 | 537 |
| HD 502 | Crow Line | 10.4% | 70 | 952 |
| HD 515 | Painted Robe | 7.5% | 340 | 1,095 |
| HD 555 | Pryor Mountains-Cottonwood Triangle | 62.6% | 59 | 260 |
| HD 565 | Upper Boulder | 98.6% | 18 | 40 |
| HD 575 | Absarokee | 4% | 245 | 1,145 |
| HD 580 | East Slope Crazy Mountains | 22.4% | 727 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 525 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows elk of either sex in HD 525 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 108). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 525?
Red Lodge, Big Timber and Fishtail are inside the district. Just outside: Bearcreek (5 miles), Livingston (8 miles) and Columbus (15 miles).
Does HD 525 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 6 areas covering 3,819 acres in HD 525: 2 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 4 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Jg Ranch at 1,887 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 525?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 525 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 525
Those portions of Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass and Park Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Red Lodge, then south along U.S. Highway 212 to the Montana/Wyoming border, then west along said border to then west along said border to the Clark Fork Yellowstone -Rock Creek divide west of Glacier Lake, then westerly and northerly along said divide to its intersection with the Park County-Stillwater County line near Granite Peak, then westerly along said line to its intersection with the Stillwater-Slough Creek divide approximately one mile southeast of Timberline Peak, then northwesterly along said divide to the Boulder-Slough Creek divide at Columbine Pass, then northerly along the Boulder-West Fork Stillwater divide to the head of the East Boulder River, then north along the East Boulder-Main Boulder divide to the north end of Contact Mountain, then south and west off said mountain to the Main Boulder River bottom at a point across the river from Falls Creek, then west and south up Falls Creek to its headwaters at the Main Boulder -West Boulder divide, then south along said divide to Boulder Mountain, then westerly and northerly along the West Boulder River -Yellowstone River divide to Elephant Head Mountain and the headwaters of Mission Creek, then northerly down said creek the Yellowstone River, then east down the north bank of said river to its confluence with Bridger Creek, then southerly along said creek to its intersection with the Bridger Creek -Stockade Road, then southerly and easterly along said road to its intersection with the Spring Creek Road, then easterly along said road to its intersection with the Stillwater River, then westerly along said river to its intersection with State Highway 419 at Nye, then easterly along said highway to its intersection with the Fiddler Creek Road at Dean, then northerly and easterly along said road to its intersection with State Highway 419 one mile west of Fishtail, then northeasterly along said highway to its intersection with State Highway 78, then southerly and easterly along said highway to Red Lodge, 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 108.
- 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.