Hunting District 555, Pryor Mountains-Cottonwood Triangle: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 555 (Pryor Mountains-Cottonwood Triangle) is 62.6% public land, most of it BLM (190,748 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 59 elk and 260 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 217 elk hunters spent 1,797 days here and took 44 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 landNational park (no hunting)Other publicHD 555Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 5, South-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 505,811 acres (790 square miles) |
| Public land | 62.6% (316,462 acres) |
| Block Management | 3 areas, 2,785 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 59 (20 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 260 (174 mule deer, 86 white-tailed) |
| Bull elk | Elk Permit 555-20 (quota 25, apply by April 1) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Bearcreek, Belfry, Red Lodge, Bridger and Fromberg |
HD 555 is the Pryor Mountains and the Cottonwood Triangle south of Bridger, between Red Lodge, Belfry, the Bighorn County line and Bighorn Lake. National park land, 5.4% of the district, is closed to hunting. Elk hunting is on permit 555-20 and B licenses.
How much public land is in HD 555?
62.6% of HD 555 is public land: 316,462 of its 505,811 acres. The largest share is BLM, 190,748 acres or 37.7% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 555 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 190,748 | 37.7% |
| National forest | 108,957 | 21.5% |
| National park (no hunting) | 27,184 | 5.4% |
| State trust land | 16,635 | 3.3% |
| FWP land | 122 | under 0.1% |
| Other public | 117 | 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. National park land is closed to hunting.
Block Management in HD 555
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas in HD 555, 2,785 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Malone Livestock (1,343 acres, Type 1), Weatherman (800 acres, Type 1) and Krueger Land & Livestock (641 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 555?
FWP estimates 59 elk were harvested in HD 555 in 2025: 20 bulls, 39 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 217 hunters took 44 elk, about 20 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 | 59 | 20 | 39 | 0 | 13 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 44 | 14 | 30 | 0 | 11 | 217 | 1,797 | 20 |
| 2023 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 19 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 126 | 875 | 22 |
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 555?
FWP estimates 260 deer were harvested in HD 555 in 2025: 174 mule deer and 86 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 578 deer hunters spent 3,339 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 260 | 174 | 86 | 173 | 87 | 118 | 578 | 3,339 |
| 2024 | 214 | 159 | 55 | 158 | 56 | 113 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 235 | 172 | 64 | 144 | 91 | 64 | 443 | 2,480 |
| 2022 | 186 | 106 | 80 | 128 | 58 | 95 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 555 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 555:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk B License: 005-00 | Antlerless Elk | OTC: Jun 15 | Unlimited | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Not Valid on National Forest Lands. |
| Elk B License: 555-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 30 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | |
| Elk Permit: 555-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 25 | 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 555 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 555 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: 555-00 | 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 110, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 555 before you go.
How do you get to HD 555?
Highways through the district: US 310 (about 24 miles inside it), MT 72 (about 21 miles inside it) and US 212 (about 19 miles inside it). Towns inside: Bearcreek and Belfry. Nearby: Red Lodge (on the line), Bridger (on the line), Fromberg (8 miles) and Joliet (15 miles).
Which districts border HD 555?
HD 555 touches 2 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 502 | Crow Line | 10.4% | 70 | 952 |
| HD 525 | Beartooth-Absaroka | 63.8% | 421 | 1,198 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 555 on a general license?
Not on the General Elk License alone. FWP's 2026 table for HD 555 lists no General Elk License season here: elk hunting is on drawn permits and B licenses (regulations page 110). An elk of either sex takes Elk Permit 555-20 (quota 25, apply by April 1), used with the General Elk License.
What is the closest town to HD 555?
Bearcreek and Belfry are inside the district. Just outside: Red Lodge (on the line), Bridger (on the line) and Fromberg (8 miles).
Does HD 555 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 3 areas covering 2,785 acres in HD 555: all 3 are Type 1, where hunters give themselves permission. The largest is Malone Livestock at 1,343 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 555?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 555 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 555
Those portions of Carbon County lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Red Lodge, then east along State Highway 308 to its intersection with State Highway 72 at Belfry, then northerly along said highway to its intersection with State Highway 310 south of Bridger, then south along said highway to its junction with the Bowler/Sage Creek road, then east along said road to its intersection with the Carbon County/Bighorn County line, then east along said county line to the west shore of Bighorn Lake, the south along said shore to the Montana/Wyoming border, then west along said border to its intersection with U.S Highway 212, then north 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 110.
- 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.