Unit 313-00 (Gardiner Late Hunt Elk 313-00)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

Elk permit 313-00 is the Gardiner late-season elk opportunity along the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Permits are issued through the FWP special drawing and are contingent on herd numbers exiting the park each winter. We recommend reviewing FWP regulations for exact permit-window dates, weather-dependent season management, and public-access rules before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 313-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 313-00

The Gardiner late hunt focuses on elk migrating from Yellowstone National Park into winter range along the northern boundary near Gardiner, Montana. We glass open hillsides, benches, and river flats where animals pause after leaving the park.

Exact huntable acreage depends on migration timing and snow conditions. Monitor FWP announcements — the late hunt is weather-driven and can open or close on short notice.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 313-00

We hunt HD 313-00 as a glassing and intercept hunt. Spot migrating groups at long range, then use terrain and wind to set up ambush positions on the route elk take from park boundaries to winter feeding grounds.

Because the season is management-driven, be ready to hunt the day you are notified. Confirm permit dates, shot-opportunity rules, and mandatory reporting in the current FWP regulations.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

Three-year data shows HD 313-00 issuing roughly 84 permits against 183 applicants. Success rates on the Gardiner late hunt swing year to year with snow — heavy winters push more elk out of the park and into the hunt area. The FWP harvest report publishes the current picture.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	48	98	49.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 313-00 sits in a moderate draw tier: roughly 84 permits against 183 applicants in recent three-year data, implying better than 40% per-draw odds for many applicant classes. Montana's bonus point system still applies. Check the FWP drawing statistics page for the current year.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Open hillsides, benches, and valley bottoms along the park boundary define the hunt area.

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Hunting Pressure

Concentrated during active hunt windows because quotas are published and the hunt runs in bursts.

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Weather

Late-season conditions are harsh — sustained cold, snow, and wind. Plan for winter-grade gear and 4WD-capable vehicles.

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Permit Notes

Permits for HD 313-00 are issued through the FWP special drawing and are management-triggered.

Note: The Gardiner late hunt can open or close quickly. Monitor FWP's announcement channels through the winter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Gardiner late elk hunt (HD 313-00) run?

Exact dates are set each year by FWP and are tied to elk movement out of Yellowstone National Park. Review the current regulations and FWP announcements for precise windows.

Is HD 313-00 a realistic draw for new applicants?

Relative to other Montana late-season elk permits, yes — recent three-year data shows about 84 permits against 183 applicants, making per-draw odds meaningfully better than most limited elk tags.

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Sources & Verification

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

FWP Plan-a-Hunt — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 313 boundary and Gardiner late-hunt area, Park-adjacent public lands · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Gardiner late-hunt elk rules, Permit-specific weapon and timing · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds for 313-00, Annual applicant counts · accessed 2026-04-17