Unit 442-00 (Snowy Mountains Elk 442-00)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 442-00 is a limited-permit elk hunt in central Montana's Snowy Mountains country. 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 BMA coverage before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 442-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 442-00

Elk in HD 442-00 use the timbered benches, high parks, and creek drainages of the Snowy Mountains. We scout north-aspect Douglas fir and lodgepole between 5,500 and 8,000 feet, especially near water sources and the burn-regen pockets that concentrate elk during the rut.

Valley ground mixes USFS, state, and private. Use FWP Plan-a-Hunt to confirm BMA coverage and parking.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 442-00

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

Snowy Mountain permit-area elk hunts generally run above the Montana general-season average. Pull current HD 442-00 numbers from the FWP harvest report portal before the hunt.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	24	100	24.0%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 442-00 tags are allocated via FWP's special drawing under Montana's preference point system. Three-year applicant counts near 102 against roughly 25 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

Moderate. Snowy Mountain ridges involve 1,500–2,500 foot climbs with deadfall in several drainages.

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate. Permit caps limit elk hunters, but general-season deer hunters share the landscape.

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Weather

October can bring sudden snow and wind; late-season 4WD and tire chains are sensible.

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Permit Notes

HD 442-00 is a special-draw permit hunt. Apply by the FWP spring deadline and confirm legal-elk criteria.

Note: Use Lewistown as the staging town for Snowy Mountain hunts. Coordinate BMA sign-in through FWP ahead of the opener.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is HD 442-00 located?

HD 442-00 covers elk habitat in Montana's Snowy Mountains, in the central portion of the state near Lewistown. Confirm exact boundaries on FWP Plan-a-Hunt.

Can non-residents apply for HD 442-00?

Non-residents can apply for Montana special-permit elk hunts subject to current FWP rules. Confirm eligibility annually before applying.

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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 442-00 boundary geometry, BMA and USFS 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