Unit 410-00 (Tobacco Root / Ruby Mountains)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 410 covers the Tobacco Root Mountains and adjacent Ruby country in southwestern Montana, primarily within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The 410-00 limited permit offers antlered elk opportunity against a constrained quota — roughly 95 tags against 1,146 three-year applicants. The Tobacco Roots are an island range of steep peaks with classic timberline elk habitat.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 410-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 410

Tobacco Root elk use the high subalpine basins in summer and drift into the mid-elevation timber as fall progresses.

Hollow Top / Noble Peak

The cirques below Hollow Top Mountain and Noble Peak hold core summer herds. Alpine larkspur parks feed the herd through the archery season.

South Boulder Drainage

The South Boulder River country on the west side of the Tobacco Roots accesses strong resident elk numbers. FSR 7530 provides the gateway.

Ruby Range Fringe

The southern portion of HD 410 drops into the Ruby Range — elk use the sage-timber transition along the Ruby River during late season.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 410

The Tobacco Roots are compact and vertical. Success demands hunting the elevation gradient aggressively.

Alpine Archery

Pack camp above 8,000 feet during archery and hunt the basins directly from camp. Early-season bulls bugle hard in the open subalpine parks.

Timber Stalking in Rifle

Once rifle season opens, focus on the north-slope Douglas fir stands where elk bed to escape pressure. Still-hunt quietly with wind in face.

Late Season Ruby Transition

During late November, elk spill toward the Ruby River drainage. Glass the sage-timber edges from the Ruby River Road.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

HD 410-00 permit holders see 30–40% success rates based on FWP reporting. Trophy quality is solid — 6x6 bulls in the 290–320 class are taken annually. General rifle access (non-permit) produces 16–20% success in the HD.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	45	948	4.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 410-00 is a harder draw than neighboring permit districts — 1,146 applicants for 95 permits over three years translates to resident draw odds in the 8–12% range. Non-residents typically require 5+ points for realistic odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Potosi Hot Springs, Harrison Lake, and several dispersed BDNF sites. No full-service developed campgrounds within HD 410.

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Water

Good. Alpine lakes, streams, and the South Boulder and Ruby rivers provide water year-round.

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Road Conditions

Mixed — FSR access varies from well-maintained gravel to rough native-surface. High-clearance strongly recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Alpine terrain requiring 3,000+ foot elevation gains and scrambling on talus.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — concentrated on road-accessible basins. Backcountry sees light pressure.

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Weather

Cold early — Tobacco Roots get snow by mid-September at elevation. Winter storms common in October.

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Nearest Town

Sheridan (30 min) and Ennis (45 min) for fuel and groceries. Bozeman (90 min) for gear and processing.

Note: Alpine access windows are short — a 6-inch snowfall can close trailheads above 8,000 feet for the season.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How high do elk go in the Tobacco Roots?

Summer and early-fall elk in HD 410 use terrain up to 10,000 feet. By mid-October they drop to the 7,000–8,500 foot timber belt.

Is HD 410 a better archery or rifle hunt?

Archery offers the wilderness experience and active bugling. Rifle has higher success rates but more pressure. Permit holders often prefer the rifle season for higher fill rates.

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Sources & Verification

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

2026 Deer, Elk, and Antelope Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Hunting district (HD) boundaries, Season dates per weapon, Quotas for limited B/general licenses, Private-land hunting rules · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Elk Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Elk season structure, License type definitions, HD-level special regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD boundary geometry, Public-land layers (BLM/USFS/SLB/Block Management), Block Management Areas + Walk-In · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds by license/permit code, Applicant and quota counts, Bonus points progression · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Per-HD harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Game check-station data · accessed 2026-04-17
Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF — Madison Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Tobacco Root Mountains access, Trailhead locations · accessed 2026-04-17