Hunting District 535, Southern Snowy Mountains: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 535 (Southern Snowy Mountains) is 17.5% public land, the largest part BLM (132,596 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 482 elk and 571 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters here, it counted them by part: 1,023 elk hunters in HD 535E and 678 elk hunters in HD 535W.
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 landNational wildlife refugeOther publicHD 535Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 5, South-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,769,587 acres (2,765 square miles) |
| Public land | 17.5% (308,793 acres) |
| Block Management | 36 areas, 252,121 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 482 (140 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 571 (311 mule deer, 260 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Spike 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 | Winnett, Ryegate, Melstone, Judith Gap, Roundup and Lavina |
HD 535 is the south side of the Snowy Mountains and the Musselshell country around Winnett, Ryegate and Melstone. FWP reports its elk harvest in two parts, 535E and 535W. Big Snowy Mountains WMA (5,670 acres here) is closed to all hunting December 2 to May 14, and 36 Block Management areas cover 252,121 acres.
How much public land is in HD 535?
17.5% of HD 535 is public land: 308,793 of its 1,769,587 acres. The largest share is BLM, 132,596 acres or 7.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 535 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 132,596 | 7.5% |
| State trust land | 107,496 | 6.1% |
| National forest | 51,836 | 2.9% |
| National wildlife refuge | 11,195 | 0.6% |
| FWP land | 5,670 | 0.3% |
| Other public | 2,094 | 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 535
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 36 areas in HD 535, 252,121 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Gage Dome (67,423 acres, Type 1), Graves Ranch (26,269 acres, Type 1), Pole Creek (22,955 acres, Type 1), Currant Creek (19,664 acres, Type 1) and Raths Ranch Lavina (11,832 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management area in HD 535: Big Snowy Mountains WMA (5,670 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 535?
FWP estimates 482 elk were harvested in HD 535 in 2025: 140 bulls, 327 cows and 15 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters here in 2024, by part: HD 535E, 1,023 hunters and 323 elk and HD 535W, 678 hunters and 213 elk.
| Year | Elk harvested | Bulls | Cows | Calves | Bulls 6 points or more | Elk hunters | Hunter days | Elk per 100 hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (535E + 535W) | 482 | 140 | 327 | 15 | 92 | by part | by part | |
| 2024 (535E + 535W) | 536 | 124 | 402 | 9 | 78 | by part | by part | |
| 2023 (535E + 535W) | 627 | 133 | 464 | 30 | 80 | by part | by part | |
| 2022 (535E + 535W) | 279 | 105 | 160 | 13 | 62 | by part | by part |
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. For 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, FWP reports HD 535's elk harvest in parts (535E and 535W) and prints no line for the whole district; the harvest shown for those years is the parts added together. Hunters are not added, because one hunter can hunt more than one part.
How many deer are harvested in HD 535?
FWP estimates 571 deer were harvested in HD 535 in 2025: 311 mule deer and 260 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 1,219 deer hunters spent 7,321 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 571 | 311 | 260 | 454 | 113 | 320 | 1,219 | 7,321 |
| 2024 | 609 | 264 | 345 | 462 | 143 | 356 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 762 | 423 | 339 | 535 | 217 | 375 | 1,421 | 7,337 |
| 2022 | 702 | 392 | 310 | 458 | 244 | 307 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 535 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 535:
| 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 | Spike Bull or Antlerless 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 | 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 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest Lands. |
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not valid on National Forest lands or FWP WMAs. | ||
| Elk B License: 411-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 1,200 | Early: Aug 15-Sep 4 | Only valid on private land in HDs 411 and 535. | ||
| Elk B License: 411-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 1,200 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Valid in HDs 411 and 535. | |
| Elk B License: 411-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 1,200 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Valid in HDs 411 and 535. Not valid on FWP WMAs. | ||
| Elk Permit: 411-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 350 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | 1st and only choice. Valid in HDs 411 and 535. 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 535 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 535 allows white-tailed deer of either sex (Oct 24-Nov 29). A mule deer buck in HD 535 needs a drawn permit: Deer Permit 535-50, quota 500, apply by April 1.
| 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 | Antlerless 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: 535-00 | 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: 535-50 | Antlered Buck Mule Deer | April 1 | 500 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD. |
FWP's notes for HD 535: Big Snowy Mountains WMA closed to all hunting Dec 2 - May 14.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 109, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 535 before you go.
How do you get to HD 535?
Highways through the district: US 87 (about 23 miles inside it), MT 200 (about 21 miles inside it), US 12 (about 19 miles inside it), MT 3 (about 15 miles inside it) and US 191 (about 11 miles inside it). Towns inside: Winnett, Ryegate, Melstone, Camp Three and Shawmut. Nearby: Judith Gap (on the line), Roundup (on the line), Lavina (on the line) and Harlowton (on the line).
Which districts border HD 535?
HD 535 touches 8 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 410 | Missouri River Breaks | 47.4% | 452 | 221 |
| HD 411 | Snowy Mountains | 20.7% | 845 | 1,225 |
| HD 418 | South Judith Basin | 21% | 186 | 278 |
| HD 515 | Painted Robe | 7.5% | 340 | 1,095 |
| HD 540 | Southeast Little Belt Mountains | 33.5% | 205 | 281 |
| HD 590 | Bull Mountains-Pine Ridge | 9.7% | 766 | 1,734 |
| HD 700 | Missouri Breaks-Prairie | 38% | 588 | 1,495 |
| HD 701 | Sagebrush Prairie | 18.1% | 139 | 1,711 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 535 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows spike bulls or antlerless elk in HD 535 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 109). FWP also lists 4 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 535?
Winnett, Ryegate and Melstone are inside the district. Just outside: Judith Gap (on the line), Roundup (on the line) and Lavina (on the line).
Does HD 535 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 36 areas covering 252,121 acres in HD 535: 31 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 5 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Gage Dome at 67,423 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 535?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 535 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 109.
- 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 5 HD 410 HD 411 HD 418 HD 515 HD 540 HD 590 HD 700 HD 701