Hunting District 705, Prairie/Pines-Juniper Breaks: elk and deer hunting
Hunting District 705 (Prairie/Pines-Juniper Breaks) is 30.2% public land, most of it BLM (808,737 acres), by Montana's cadastral map of public land (2026). FWP estimates hunters took 145 elk and 2,261 deer here in 2025. In 2024, the last year FWP counted elk hunters by district, 727 elk hunters spent 5,123 days here and took 203 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 705Neighboring districtsLake or riverHighway
| Region | FWP Region 7, Southeast Montana |
|---|---|
| Size | 3,947,232 acres (6,168 square miles) |
| Public land | 30.2% (1,192,345 acres) |
| Block Management | 57 areas, 396,480 acres (2026) |
| Elk harvested, 2025 | 145 (82 bulls) |
| Deer harvested, 2025 | 2,261 (1,463 mule deer, 798 white-tailed) |
| General elk license, general season | Spike bulls or antlerless elk (not on national forest lands) |
| Archery only, 2026 | September 5 to October 18 |
| General season, 2026 | October 24 to November 29 |
| Towns in and near it | Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Plevna and Ismay |
HD 705 is Montana's southeast corner: 6,168 square miles from the Powder River east to the Dakotas, around Broadus, Ekalaka, Baker and Alzada. FWP estimated 2,261 deer were taken here in 2025; in 2020 it was 5,522. Off national forest land the General Elk License allows a spike bull or an antlerless elk.
How much public land is in HD 705?
30.2% of HD 705 is public land: 1,192,345 of its 3,947,232 acres. The largest share is BLM, 808,737 acres or 20.5% of the district.
| Manager | Acres | Share of HD 705 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 808,737 | 20.5% |
| State trust land | 292,426 | 7.4% |
| National forest | 90,491 | 2.3% |
| Other public | 5,234 | 0.1% |
| FWP land | 691 | 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 705
FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 57 areas in HD 705, 396,480 acres of private land open to hunters under the program. The largest: Cinch Buckle Ranch (37,401 acres, Type 2), Ridgeway (36,151 acres, Type 1), Brewer Ranch (33,431 acres, Type 2), Wolenetz Ranch Inc. (17,311 acres, Type 2) and Castleberry Ranch (17,047 acres, Type 2). Each area has its own rules and map from FWP. FWP Block Management.
How many elk are harvested in HD 705?
FWP estimates 145 elk were harvested in HD 705 in 2025: 82 bulls, 60 cows and 4 calves. FWP last counted elk hunters by district in 2024: 727 hunters took 203 elk, about 28 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 | 145 | 82 | 60 | 4 | 51 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2024 | 203 | 79 | 125 | 0 | 64 | 727 | 5,123 | 28 |
| 2023 | 171 | 80 | 86 | 6 | 61 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2022 | 184 | 66 | 118 | 0 | 55 | 566 | 4,039 | 33 |
| 2021 | 154 | 63 | 84 | 7 | 40 | not counted | not counted | |
| 2020 | 127 | 48 | 75 | 4 | 45 | 529 | 3,535 | 24 |
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 705?
FWP estimates 2,261 deer were harvested in HD 705 in 2025: 1,463 mule deer and 798 white-tailed deer. In 2025, 3,585 deer hunters spent 20,671 days here.
| Year | Deer harvested | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | Bucks | Does | Bucks 4 points or more | Deer hunters | Hunter days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,261 | 1,463 | 798 | 1,929 | 324 | 1,324 | 3,585 | 20,671 |
| 2024 | 2,273 | 1,374 | 899 | 1,938 | 333 | 1,351 | not counted | not counted |
| 2023 | 2,108 | 1,294 | 814 | 1,682 | 411 | 1,193 | 3,682 | 19,348 |
| 2022 | 2,583 | 1,759 | 824 | 1,903 | 662 | 1,430 | not counted | not counted |
| 2021 | 3,791 | 2,561 | 1,230 | 2,560 | 1,217 | 1,675 | 5,464 | 28,793 |
| 2020 | 5,522 | 3,551 | 1,971 | 3,219 | 2,297 | 2,584 | not counted | not counted |
Source: FWP Harvest Estimates (deer, 2020 to 2025).
When is elk season in HD 705 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 705:
| License or permit | What may be taken | Apply by | Quota | Archery only | General | Other seasons | FWP's restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Elk License | Spike Bull or Antlerless Elk | Sep 5-Oct 18 | |||||
| General Elk License | Spike Bull or Antlerless Elk | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Not valid on National Forest lands. | |||
| General Elk License | Antlerless Elk | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Only valid on private land. | ||||
| 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 B License: 007-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 800 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 700-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 700 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Only valid on private land. | ||
| Elk B License: 799-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 600 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | Only valid in HDs 702, 704, and 705. |
| Elk B License: 799-00 | Antlerless Elk | Jun 1 | 600 | Late: Nov 30-Feb 15 | Only valid on private land in HDs 702, 704, and 705. | ||
| Elk Permit: 799-20 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 325 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | Oct 24-Nov 29 | Muzzleloader: Dec 12-Dec 20 | 1st and only choice. Only valid in HDs 702, 704, and 705. 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. Successful Either-sex elk permit 799-20 applicants may be offered the opportunity to purchase one antlerless Elk B 798-00 License valid only where pemit is valid during the same time periods and with the same restrictions. |
| Elk Permit: 799-21 | Either-sex Elk | April 1 | 1,000 | Sep 5-Oct 18 | 1st and only choice. Only valid in HDs 702, 704, and 705. 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. Successful Either-sex elk permit 799-21 applicants may be offered the opportunity to purchase one antlerless Elk B 798-00 License valid only where pemit is valid during the same time periods and with the same restrictions. |
When is deer season in HD 705 in 2026?
On the General Deer License in the general season, HD 705 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 |
Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, page 123, with FWP's corrections. FWP can change a season or quota during the year: check FWP's page for HD 705 before you go.
How do you get to HD 705?
Highways through the district: MT 323 (about 71 miles inside it), US 212 (about 60 miles inside it), MT 7 (about 35 miles inside it), MT 59 (about 33 miles inside it) and US 12 (about 8 miles inside it). Towns inside: Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Biddle and Alzada. Nearby: Plevna (on the line) and Ismay (5 miles).
Which districts border HD 705?
HD 705 touches 2 other deer and elk districts. Their public land and 2025 harvest, for comparison:
| District | Name | Public land | Elk harvested | Deer harvested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 705 on a general license?
Yes. In 2026 the General Elk License allows spike bulls or antlerless elk (not on national forest lands) in HD 705 during the general season, October 24 to November 29, with the restrictions FWP prints for the district (regulations page 123). FWP also lists 5 elk B license or permit opportunities here.
What is the closest town to HD 705?
Baker, Ekalaka and Broadus are inside the district. Just outside: Plevna (on the line) and Ismay (5 miles).
Does HD 705 have Block Management?
Yes. FWP's 2026 Block Management map shows 57 areas covering 396,480 acres in HD 705: 29 where hunters give themselves permission (Type 1) and 28 where the landowner or FWP gives it (Type 2). The largest is Cinch Buckle Ranch at 37,401 acres.
Where is FWP's map of HD 705?
FWP publishes a printable map of the district: HD 705 map (PDF). The boundary in words is in FWP's legal descriptions.
FWP's legal description of HD 705
Those portions of Carter, Custer, Powder River and Fallon Counties lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the Montana-Wyoming border and the Broadus-Moorhead Road, then north on said road to the Broadus-Powderville Road at Broadus, then north on said road on the west side of the Powder River to Powderville, continuing to its intersection with US Highway 12 at Locate, then east along said highway to the Montana-North Dakota border, then south along said border to its intersection with the Montana-South Dakota-Wyoming junction, then west along the Montana-Wyoming border to its intersection with the Broadus-Moorhead Road, 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 123.
- 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.