Quick Tips
- Bring good optics, open country, lots of glassing from high points
- Be cautious of wet roads mud can make driving impossible
- Bring a shotgun the bird hunting in portions of the unit is very good
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 130"+ |
| Elk | 270"-300" | 310"+ |
On The Ground
This hunt district is located between the Bighorn River and Tongue River in southeast Montana. This area has lots of private land, but does hold some quality animals. A hunter could day hunt this unit from Billings or Miles City with a short drive.
This is a draw permit for bull elk and, if a hunter can obtain permission on some of the private land, there are some large bulls. Mule deer numbers are also very good and hunters can hunt this area with a general deer license. Whitetail numbers are also very good with bucks being found along the Yellowstone, Bighorn and Tongue rivers.
Terrain
This area has some isolated parcels of BLM and state land scattered throughout the unit. This unit is very diverse and contains everything from high timbered ridges, river cottonwood bottoms, sagebrush flats, rolling grass prairie and chalky cliff breaks. There is limited public access within this unit.
Roughly 2,805 square miles
11.9% public land
Elevations from 2,250-4,475 feet
Vegetation
The vegetation is very diverse. Some of the ridges and plateaus at higher elevations are heavily timbered with ponderosa pine and juniper trees. The north slopes and some of the draws are also heavily timbered. There are large expanses of sagebrush and rolling prairie with little to no trees present. The major river and creek bottoms will have large cottonwood trees and numerous grass species.
Access
There are some isolated parcels of BLM and state lands. In order to access these lands a GPS with landownership is a must. There are few landowners that are part of the Block Management Program which will allow public access with permission. Check with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for which landowners are part of this program. Public access is not good in this unit, and access points can be difficult to find.
ATVs are not a necessity
Most county roads are well maintained, in the chance roads become wet stay on graveled roadways
Camping and Lodging
If planning on hunting the north or central portions of the unit, Miles City would provide the best accommodations. This is a great city with many options for lodging, restaurants, gas, groceries and a sporting goods store. If hunting the southern end of the unit, Hardin would be a good option, this small town is busy during hunting season but does provide lodging, gas, groceries and a few restaurants. Lodging does book up early during hunting season, so call ahead.
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