Quick Tips
- Excellent fishing in the Bighorn River
- Excellent spring bear hunt in the Pryor Mountains on a limited quota
- ATV's can be very useful on the rough roads
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 120"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 280"+ |
On The Ground
This district is located in south central Montana between the Crow Indian Reservation and the Wyoming border. The Pryor Mountains are the distinguishing feature of the district which holds a variety of big game animals. Mule deer are the primary trophy species in this district. Elk numbers are really low and hunting opportunities are very restricted. Whitetail deer are present here as well in decent concentrations along the river bottoms.
This district is known for producing trophy quality mule deer and black bears. Mule deer trophy quality varies depending on the harshness of winter and summer moisture. Elk are very difficult to find and permits are very limited but a few good bulls are pulled from the unit each year. The Bighorn Canyon National Park is on the eastern side of the district and hunting is allowed here, be aware of some restrictions near popular recreation areas.
Terrain
The heart of this district is comprised of the Pryor Mountains which consist of long canyons, thick timbered slopes and giant grassy plateaus. Surrounding the mountains is rough, desolate high desert canyon country full of rocks and cactus. The lower elevations consist of sage covered hill country and some flat irrigated croplands.
Roughly 790 square miles
68% public land
Elevation from 4,100-8,400 feet
Vegetation
The higher elevations consist of Douglas fir and pine forest broken up by long grassy ridges and plateaus with abundant wildflowers and green browse. The mid-elevation foothills are almost entirely sagebrush and pine dotted hills with minimal prairie grass and lots of cactus. The lower elevations consist of sagebrush covered hills, irrigated alfalfa and corn fields with very few trees.
Access
Public access in this district is excellent. The Pryor Mountains offer great public access through the National Forest and large portions of the rest of the district are comprised of BLM lands. The eastern portion of the district is the Bighorn Canyon National Park which also provides excellent access for hunting and fishing.
Crooked Creek, Red Pryor Mountain and Miller Road provide access to the Pryors
ATV’s are useful on rough rocky roads
Camping and Lodging
There are several options in this district depending on your preference and style of hunting. Great camping access is provided in Bighorn Canyon National Park which is a popular base to day hunt from. Cody, WY is nearby and offers a large variety of accommodations from supplies to lodging. Backcountry style camps can also be utilized in the Pryor Mountains.
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5