Unit 448-00 (HD 448 Elk (Sapphire/Skalkaho))

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 448-00 is a general elk license covering the Sapphire Mountains and Skalkaho Pass country east of Hamilton. 612 applicants for 148 tags over three years. Heavy timber, complex ridges, and active logging roads define the country.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 448-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 448

Elk use the high Sapphire ridges for bedding and drop into the creek-bottom meadows at dark. Focus glassing on the parks between Skalkaho Pass and the upper Sapphire divide.

How to Hunt HD 448 Elk

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

HD 448 elk success typically tracks the Sapphire average — rifle in the 15–18% range, archery slightly lower. Hunters who access the interior via foot substantially outperform road-edge hunters.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	138	561	24.6%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Roughly 24% raw draw. Non-residents should review the 10% cap and consider combining with HD 270 or HD 250 applications as backups.

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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: HD 448 elk license structure, Season dates, General vs limited rules · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 448 boundary, Bitterroot NF and Sapphire ownership, Forest road layers · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 448 elk harvest, Success by weapon, Hunter-day effort · accessed 2026-04-17