Hunting District 701, Sagebrush Prairie: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 701 (Sagebrush Prairie) is 18.1% public land, most of it BLM (540,563 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 139 elk and 1,711 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters here, it counted them by part: 483 elk hunters in HD 701E and 219 elk hunters in HD 701W.
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 701Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 7, Southeast Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 4,619,741 acres (7,218 square miles) |
| Public land | 18.1% (837,010 acres) |
| Block Management | 62 areas, 699,482 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 139 (78 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 1,711 (920 mule deer, 790 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Elk of either sex and 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 | Miles City, Forsyth, Terry, Melstone and Circle |
HD 701 is the largest deer and elk district in Montana: 7,218 square miles from Terry and Miles City west to Melstone and north to MT 200, crossed by I-94 and US 12. Sixty-two Block Management areas cover 699,482 acres. FWP reports its elk harvest in two parts, 701E and 701W.
How much public land is in HD 701?
18.1% of HD 701 is public land: 837,010 of its 4,619,741 acres. The largest share is BLM, 540,563 acres or 11.7% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 701 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 540,563 | 11.7% |
| State trust land | 293,616 | 6.4% |
| Other public | 21,215 | 0.5% |
| FWP land | 2,694 | 0.1% |
| National wildlife refuge | 137 | 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.
Block Management in HD 701
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 62 areas in HD 701, 699,482 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Pv Ranch (111,843 acres, Type 2), Cherry Creek (109,332 acres, Type 1), Froze-To-Death Grazing District (79,976 acres, Type 2), Custer Creek (56,301 acres, Type 1) and Flying U Llc (53,730 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
Wildlife management areas in HD 701: Isaac Homestead WMA (1,661 acres here) and Amelia Island WMA (194 acres here).
How many elk are harvested in HD 701?
FWP estimates 139 elk were harvested in HD 701 in 2025: 78 bulls, 61 cows and 0 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters here in 2024, by part: HD 701E, 483 hunters and 105 elk and HD 701W, 219 hunters and 73 elk.
| Year | Elk harvested | Bulls | Cows | Calves | Bulls 6 points or more | Elk hunters | Hunter days | Elk per 100 hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (701E + 701W) | 139 | 78 | 61 | 0 | 43 | by part | by part | |
| 2024 (701E + 701W) | 178 | 87 | 83 | 6 | 52 | by part | by part | |
| 2023 (701E + 701W) | 134 | 83 | 51 | 0 | 48 | by part | by part | |
| 2022 (701E + 701W) | 94 | 58 | 37 | 0 | 28 | by part | by part | |
| 2021 (701E + 701W) | 131 | 84 | 47 | 0 | 59 | by part | by part | |
| 2020 (701E + 701W) | 181 | 121 | 52 | 8 | 74 | 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 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, FWP reports HD 701's elk harvest in parts (701E and 701W) 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 701?
FWP estimates 1,711 deer were harvested in HD 701 in 2025: 920 mule deer and 790 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 3,286 deer hunters spent 18,840 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,711 | 920 | 790 | 1,279 | 432 | 886 | 3,286 | 18,840 |
| 2024 | 2,121 | 1,181 | 940 | 1,678 | 443 | 1,267 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 2,241 | 1,038 | 1,203 | 1,634 | 594 | 1,321 | 3,415 | 18,809 |
| 2022 | 2,401 | 1,376 | 1,026 | 1,615 | 769 | 1,226 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 2,603 | 1,561 | 1,042 | 1,757 | 837 | 1,217 | 3,629 | 18,129 |
| 2020 | 3,629 | 2,247 | 1,382 | 2,275 | 1,344 | 1,881 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 701 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 701:
| 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 | Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra- Hysham Rd. Only valid on private land. | ||||
| General Elk License | Either-sex Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid outside the portion of HD 701 north of Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra-Hysham Rd. | ||
| General Elk License | Spike Bull or Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra- Hysham Rd. | ||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra- Hysham Rd. | ||||
| Elk B License: 007-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 800 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Valid in all Region 7 HDs. | ||
| Elk B License: 007-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 800 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest lands or CMR Refuge. Valid in all Region 7 HDs. | |
| Elk Permit: 590-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 380 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid in HD 590 and portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and 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. |
| 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. | ||
| 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 | Valid in portion of HD 701 north of the Yellowstone River, south of Hwy 12 and west of Sumatra- Hysham Rd. |
When is deer season in HD 701 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 701 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 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private lands. | ||
| 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 | |||
| Deer B License: 007-00 | Antlerless White-tailed Deer | Jun 1 | 6,000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Valid in all Region 7 HDs. |
| Deer B License: 007-03 | Antlerless Mule Deer | Jun 1 | 1,000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid on private lands. Valid in all Region 7 HDs |
FWP's notes for HD 701: Elk numbers are low and primarily found on private land. Public access may be difficult and limited.
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, pages 118 to 119, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 701 before you go.
How do you get to HD 701?
Highways through the district: I-94 (about 145 miles inside it), US 12 (about 128 miles inside it), MT 200 (about 103 miles inside it), MT 59 (about 85 miles inside it) and MT 311 (about 19 miles inside it). Towns inside: Miles City, Forsyth, Terry, Jordan, Hysham and Rosebud. Nearby: Melstone (on the line) and Circle (11 miles).
Which districts border HD 701?
HD 701 touches 9 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 535 | Southern Snowy Mountains | 17.5% | 482 | 571 |
| HD 590 | Bull Mountains-Pine Ridge | 9.7% | 766 | 1,734 |
| HD 650 | McCone-Richland | 14.3% | 4 | 1,025 |
| HD 652 | McCone-Garfield | 57.5% | 3 | 60 |
| HD 700 | Missouri Breaks-Prairie | 38% | 588 | 1,495 |
| HD 702 | Yellowstone Pine Hills | 9.7% | 263 | 900 |
| HD 703 | Grassland-Agriculture | 16% | 111 | 1,725 |
| HD 704 | Powder Pine Hills | 30.2% | 492 | 2,421 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt elk in HD 701 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows elk of either sex and spike bulls or antlerless elk in HD 701 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 118). FWP also lists 4 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 701?
Miles City, Forsyth and Terry are inside the district. Just outside: Melstone (on the line) and Circle (11 miles).
Does HD 701 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 62 areas covering 699,482 acres in HD 701: 28 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 34 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Pv Ranch at 111,843 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 701?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 701 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 701
Those portions of Prairie, Custer, Rosebud, Treasure, Yellowstone, Musselshell, Garfield, and McCone Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the junction of US Interstate 94 and Route 253 at Terry, then west along said interstate to its junction with the Custer-Melstone Road at Custer, then north along said road to its junction with US Highway 12 at Melstone, then east on said highway to the Musselshell River, then north down said river to its intersection with State Route 200 near Mosby, then east on said route to Brockway, then southeast on Route 253 to Terry, 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, pages 118 to 119.
- 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 7 HD 410 HD 535 HD 590 HD 650 HD 652 HD 700 HD 702 HD 703 HD 704