Hunting District 575, Absarokee: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 575 (Absarokee) is 4% public land, most of it state trust land (16,268 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 245 elk and 1,145 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 991 elk hunters spent 7,518 days here and took 250 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 landOther publicHD 575Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 5, South-central Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 524,158 acres (819 square miles) |
| Public land | 4% (21,039 acres) |
| Block Management | 13 areas, 24,838 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 245 (98 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 1,145 (609 mule deer, 536 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 | Columbus, Roberts, Fox, Joliet, Red Lodge and Laurel |
HD 575 is the Stillwater and Yellowstone valley country between Laurel, Columbus, Absarokee and Red Lodge, along I-90 and MT 78. Public land is only 4%; 13 Block Management areas cover 24,838 acres.
How much public land is in HD 575?
4% of HD 575 is public land: 21,039 of its 524,158 acres. The largest share is state trust land, 16,268 acres or 3.1% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 575 |
|---|---|---|
| State trust land | 16,268 | 3.1% |
| BLM | 4,026 | 0.8% |
| Other public | 2,011 | 0.4% |
| FWP land | 745 | 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 575
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 13 areas in HD 575, 24,838 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Miller/Jackstone (9,525 acres, Type 2), Arthun Ranch (4,314 acres, Type 1), Guthrie Ranch (4,159 acres, Type 1), Kirch Ranch (892 acres, Type 2) and Lannen Ranch (795 acres, Type 1). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 575?
FWP estimates 245 elk were harvested in HD 575 in 2025: 98 bulls, 143 cows and 4 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 991 hunters took 250 elk, about 25 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 | 245 | 98 | 143 | 4 | 44 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 250 | 102 | 142 | 6 | 60 | 991 | 7,518 | 25 |
| 2023 | 215 | 89 | 124 | 3 | 39 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 199 | 144 | 52 | 3 | 81 | 920 | 5,996 | 22 |
| 2021 | 135 | 51 | 80 | 4 | 29 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 181 | 43 | 131 | 7 | 23 | 664 | 4,174 | 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 575?
FWP estimates 1,145 deer were harvested in HD 575 in 2025: 609 mule deer and 536 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 2,007 deer hunters spent 11,128 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,145 | 609 | 536 | 697 | 448 | 391 | 2,007 | 11,128 |
| 2024 | 1,401 | 659 | 742 | 877 | 520 | 525 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 1,183 | 612 | 572 | 686 | 487 | 377 | 1,970 | 11,695 |
| 2022 | 1,265 | 654 | 612 | 737 | 520 | 459 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 1,201 | 660 | 541 | 675 | 520 | 391 | 1,731 | 9,393 |
| 2020 | 1,316 | 739 | 577 | 759 | 557 | 463 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 575 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 575:
| 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 | |||||
| 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 |
When is deer season in HD 575 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 575 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: 575-00 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 500 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 111, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 575 before you go.
How do you get to HD 575?
Highways through the district: I-90 (about 57 miles inside it), MT 78 (about 37 miles inside it), US 212 (about 6 miles inside it) and US 310 (about 6 miles inside it). Towns inside: Columbus, Roberts, Fox, Absarokee, Park City and Reed Point. Nearby: Joliet (on the line), Red Lodge (on the line), Laurel (on the line) and Bearcreek (5 miles).
Which districts border HD 575?
HD 575 touches 3 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 515 | Painted Robe | 7.5% | 340 | 1,095 |
| HD 525 | Beartooth-Absaroka | 63.8% | 421 | 1,198 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 575 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows elk of either sex in HD 575 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 111). FWP also lists 1 elk B license or permit opportunity here.
What is the closest town to HD 575?
Columbus, Roberts and Fox are inside the district. Just outside: Joliet (on the line), Red Lodge (on the line) and Laurel (on the line).
Does HD 575 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 13 areas covering 24,838 acres in HD 575: 7 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 6 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Miller/Jackstone at 9,525 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 575?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 575 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 575
Those portions of Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at Laurel, then west along Interstate 90 to the Yellowstone River Bridge near Columbus, then west along the north bank of the Yellowstone 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 southerly and easterly along said road to its intersection with Route 425, then easterly along said route its intersection with Route 419 one mile southwest of Fishtail, then easterly along said route to its intersection with State Highway 78, then southerly and easterly along said highway to its intersection with U.S. Highway 212 at Red Lodge, then northerly along said highway to Laurel, 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 111.
- 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.