Best elk hunting units in Montana
Ranked by 2021–2025 success rate · Montana FWP harvest reports
- 49.7%
- HD 455 ranks #1, 2021–2025
- 20.9%
- statewide elk average
- 129
- districts with 100+ hunters a year
These are the Montana hunting districts where elk hunters filled tags most often from 2021 to 2025, ranked from Montana FWP's harvest reports. Each rate is total elk harvest divided by total elk hunters across the years FWP surveyed elk hunters, so one unusual season doesn't decide a district's place.
Use the list to build a shortlist, not to pick one district. A high success rate can come with mostly private land, a short season, or bull hunting that needs a separate permit, so open each district's page to check its license rules, public land, and terrain before you plan a trip. If you're coming from out of state, the nonresident list below counts nonresident hunters only.
Top 15
| # | Unit | 2021–2025 rate | Latest year | Hunters / yr | 6+ pt bulls | Residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HD 455 | 49.7% | 46.7% (2024) | 304 | 59.6% | Draw | Draw |
| 2 | HD 360 | 40.3% | 32.3% (2024) | 3,472 | 48.1% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 3 | HD 445 | 39.3% | 41.3% (2024) | 784 | 72.8% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 4 | HD 580 | 39.1% | 37.2% (2024) | 1,735 | 53.8% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 5 | HD 417 | 38.4% | 44.1% (2024) | 742 | 77.5% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 6 | HD 317 | 35.0% | 33.5% (2024) | 1,370 | 52.1% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 7 | HD 700 | 34.9% | 37.6% (2024) | 1,659 | 71.1% | Draw | Draw |
| 8 | HD 411 | 34.5% | 38.9% (2024) | 2,293 | 75.2% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 9 | HD 446 | 34.2% | 35.0% (2024) | 1,111 | 57.9% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 10 | HD 314 | 34.1% | 31.7% (2024) | 2,144 | 56.7% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 11 | HD 702 | 33.9% | 36.8% (2024) | 744 | 87.1% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 12 | HD 690 | 33.1% | 33.1% (2024) | 720 | 90.6% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 13 | HD 322 | 31.9% | 22.7% (2024) | 5,140 | 40.3% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 14 | HD 309 | 31.5% | 31.0% (2024) | 330 | 74.2% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 15 | HD 393 | 31.4% | 28.8% (2024) | 1,955 | 61.4% | Over the counter | Draw |
The top 5
- HD 455 put 49.7% of elk hunters on an animal across 2022 and 2024, with 59.6% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents and nonresidents both draw.
- HD 360 put 40.3% of elk hunters on an animal across 2022 and 2024, with 48.1% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents buy the General Elk License over the counter; nonresidents draw.
- HD 445 put 39.3% of elk hunters on an animal across 2022 and 2024, with 72.8% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents buy the General Elk License over the counter; nonresidents draw.
- HD 580 put 39.1% of elk hunters on an animal across 2022 and 2024, with 53.8% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents buy the General Elk License over the counter; nonresidents draw.
- HD 417 put 38.4% of elk hunters on an animal across 2022 and 2024, with 77.5% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents buy the General Elk License over the counter; nonresidents draw.
Best for nonresident hunters
Ranked the same way on nonresident hunters and harvest only.
| # | Unit | 2021–2025 rate | Latest year | Hunters / yr | 6+ pt bulls | Residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HD 590 | 49.1% | 45.3% (2024) | 369 | 75.5% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 2 | HD 700 | 46.8% | 54.5% (2024) | 229 | 71.1% | Draw | Draw |
| 3 | HD 535 | 46.6% | 53.6% (2024) | 273 | 60.9% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 4 | HD 705 | 46.0% | 49.7% (2024) | 171 | 82.6% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 5 | HD 445 | 43.5% | 48.6% (2024) | 146 | 72.8% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 6 | HD 446 | 43.5% | 34.6% (2024) | 350 | 57.9% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 7 | HD 393 | 41.0% | 43.3% (2024) | 368 | 61.4% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 8 | HD 312 | 40.9% | 45.5% (2024) | 149 | 50.5% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 9 | HD 580 | 40.2% | 38.0% (2024) | 619 | 53.8% | Over the counter | Draw |
| 10 | HD 360 | 40.0% | 30.8% (2024) | 828 | 48.1% | Over the counter | Draw |
How we rank
Each rate is total harvest divided by total hunters across 2021–2025, counting only years the state surveyed hunters. A unit needs an average of 100 hunters a year to be listed. Ties go to the unit with more hunters.
FWP surveys elk hunters in even years, so Montana elk rates pool 2022 and 2024.
Trophy share needs at least two surveyed years with antler-point data; otherwise it shows "—".