Unit 444-20 (Judith Basin East / Winifred)

Montana Hunting Guide — Antelope

HD 444 spans the rolling plains east of Lewistown toward Winifred and the Missouri River breaks in central Montana. Sage flats, cottonwood-lined coulees, and mixed-grass ranch country hold a solid pronghorn herd. The 444-20 permit issues about 234 tags against 1,167 three-year applicants — middling odds with good buck quality near the breaks-country fringe.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Antelope Hunting in Unit 444-20

Where to Find Pronghorn in HD 444

HD 444 runs from the Judith River east to the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge boundary. Pronghorn density is highest on the ag-sage interface.

North Fork Musselshell Benches

The flatter prairie along the North Fork Musselshell drainages holds groups through September archery. Glass from the ridgelines above Winifred at first light.

BLM Breaks Fringe

Near the Missouri Breaks border, BLM parcels give hunters access to pronghorn that use the open benches above the breaks rim. These bucks often grow heavier because of less pressure.

Block Management Ag Ground

Fergus County Block Management enrollment shifts annually. The better BMAs south of Winifred grant access to broad pastures where pronghorn feed.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in HD 444

Eastern Fergus County pronghorn hunting is a glass-and-stalk game with long cruising between groups.

Cover Country in the Truck

Run section-line roads in the morning and glass aggressively from every rise. Mark groups and buck quality before committing to stalks.

Breaks-Edge Stalks

When pronghorn use the benches above the Missouri Breaks, drop into a finger coulee and use the terrain to close. Breaks-edge country is the trophy-producer in HD 444.

BMA Afternoon Sits

When a BMA includes water, a late-morning sit near a reservoir can produce action, especially in dry years.

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Antelope Success Rates

HD 444-20 sees 80–88% tag fill based on FWP harvest history. Bucks from the breaks-edge country can push 16 inches, and the district generally exceeds average buck quality compared to HD 430 to the west.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	111	577	19.2%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Three-year totals of about 1,167 applicants for 234 tags put HD 444-20 in the mid-difficulty range. Residents with 2–3 points have strong odds; non-residents will want 3–4+ points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM Lewistown FO parcels. James Kipp Recreation Area provides developed camping on the Missouri to the north.

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Water

Limited. Haul drinking water; reservoirs and tanks are cattle-grade.

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Road Conditions

Gravel county roads; bentonite gumbo concerns in rain. High-clearance recommended for BLM two-tracks.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy on prairie; moderate along breaks-edge terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Light to moderate. Competition concentrates on well-known BMAs — seek less-obvious parcels.

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Weather

Hot early, cold late, windy always. Rain-gumbo risk is real.

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Nearest Town

Winifred (basic fuel), Lewistown (30 min, full services).

Note: Check the current BMA tab before committing — ranch turnover changes public access year-to-year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 444 better for trophy or volume?

Both — success rates are high (80%+) and buck quality near the Missouri Breaks rim is above average. Work the breaks-edge country for the best shots at a 15+ inch buck.

How far is HD 444 from the C.M. Russell NWR?

The district abuts the CMR Refuge along its northern boundary. Hunting within the refuge follows separate regulations and requires checking CMR-specific rules.

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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 Antelope Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Antelope season structure, 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
Lewistown Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Missouri Breaks BLM access, Scattered public sections · accessed 2026-04-17