Unit 425-00 (Beartooth Front Elk 425-00)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 425-00 is a limited-permit elk hunt in south-central Montana along the Beartooth Front. Permits are issued through Montana FWP's special drawing under the state's preference point system. We recommend reviewing FWP Plan-a-Hunt for boundary and access detail before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 425-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 425-00

Elk in HD 425-00 occupy the high basins and timbered benches of the Beartooth Front between 6,500 and 9,500 feet. We scout north-aspect stands, high parks near wallows, and burn transitions where bulls concentrate during the rut and early rifle season.

Much of the upper country is wilderness or USFS; lower benches mix with private ranching. Use FWP Plan-a-Hunt to identify access trailheads and BMA coverage.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 425-00

We treat HD 425-00 as a high-country glassing hunt. Camp at elevation, glass opposing basins at dawn and dusk, and close distance along thermals. Rut calling is productive in upper timber pockets, while late-season snow pushes elk to mid-elevation benches.

Review FWP regulations for legal-elk criteria and any subunit rules that apply to 425-00. Pack-out support — stock or extra hunters — should be arranged in advance.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

Beartooth Front permit-area elk hunts typically run above the Montana general-season average, driven by reduced hunter density and strong bull genetics. Pull current HD 425-00 numbers from the FWP harvest report portal before the hunt.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	29	115	25.2%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 425-00 tags are allocated via FWP's special drawing under Montana's preference point system. Three-year applicant counts near 116 against roughly 30 permits imply per-draw odds near 25% for applicants without accumulated preference points. Preference points improve long-run odds without guaranteeing a tag.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Beartooth Front basins involve 2,000–3,500 foot climbs and technical alpine terrain in the upper reaches.

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Hunting Pressure

Low. Permit caps and wilderness access keep elk hunter density minimal.

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Weather

Alpine weather is volatile; expect snow, wind, and below-freezing nights throughout October and November.

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Permit Notes

HD 425-00 is a special-draw permit hunt. Apply by the FWP spring deadline.

Note: Use Red Lodge, Columbus, or Big Timber as staging towns. Stock-supported hunts are common for the deeper Beartooth basins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 425-00 a backcountry hunt?

Significant portions of the district are wilderness or roadless USFS. Plan for backcountry camping or stock support to reach the best habitat.

How favorable are HD 425-00 draw odds?

With roughly 116 three-year applicants and about 30 permits, base per-draw odds sit near 25%. Preference points meaningfully improve long-run odds.

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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 425-00 boundary geometry, Public-access overlays · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Elk season structure, Permit-area legal-elk criteria · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant and quota history, Preference point draw influence · accessed 2026-04-17