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Montana Elk

Unit 285-01

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 285 sits in southwest Montana's foothill-timber transition. License 285-01 has moved about 386 applicants through 60 tags across three years — a mid-range preference-point wait for a district with pockets of trophy-class bulls where public land butts into wintering ground.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 285-01

HD 285 sits in southwest Montana's foothill-timber transition. License 285-01 has moved about 386 applicants through 60 tags across three years — a mid-range preference-point wait for a district with pockets of trophy-class bulls where public land butts into wintering ground.

Where to Find Elk in HD 285-01

Elk summer on USFS benches and drop to BMA fringe through the rifle opener. We glass high meadows at dawn and work down into timber transitions midday.

How to Hunt HD 285-01

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%
With 60 tags across three years, FWP harvest reports show moderate success and occasional mature-bull opportunities, especially after fresh snow.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— B License3019615.3% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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386 applicants for 60 tags puts zero-point preference-point odds around 15%, climbing quickly at 1–2 points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 285 best archery or rifle?
Both are viable, but the 285-01 license structure per FWP regulations drives most tag-holders into rifle season where weather concentrates elk onto BMA fringes.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. 2026 Deer, Elk, and Antelope Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 285 boundaries, License 285-01, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 285 geometry, BMA overlay, USFS layers · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 285 elk harvest, Hunter success, Composition · accessed 2026-04-17