Unit 481-20 (Yellowstone / Big Timber)

Montana Hunting Guide — Antelope

HD 481 covers the rolling foothill prairie between the Yellowstone River and the northern Crazy Mountains near Big Timber in south-central Montana. The 481-20 pronghorn permit allocates about 127 tags against 1,117 three-year applicants — a moderate-to-difficult draw given the quality buck potential and easy access from I-90.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Antelope Hunting in Unit 481-20

Where to Find Pronghorn in HD 481

HD 481 pronghorn use the open sage prairie between the Yellowstone and the Crazies, shifting with crop rotation and weather.

Sweet Grass County North

The rolling hills north of Big Timber toward the Musselshell breaks hold good numbers. Glass from county section-line roads at dawn.

Yellowstone Bluff Breaks

The broken country above the Yellowstone river bluffs holds scattered BLM parcels that produce mature bucks in low-pressure years.

BMA Ranches South

Several ranches south of Big Timber enroll in Block Management — check the current roster for ag-field pronghorn access.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in HD 481

Classic eastern Montana spot-and-stalk tactics apply. The quality lies in the buck potential, not the difficulty.

Glass From Elevation

Section-line roads above the Yellowstone bluffs give glassing vantages that reveal herd groups 2–3 miles distant. Commit the first hour to glass before moving.

Stalks Using Sage Pockets

Once you've marked a buck, use sage cover and shallow coulees to close. Eastern Montana pronghorn are spooky — approach slow and low.

Ag-Field Afternoon Glassing

Post-harvest stubble in HD 481 concentrates pronghorn. Afternoon glassing from gravel-road vantages often reveals the best bucks in the district.

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Antelope Success Rates

HD 481-20 tag holders fill at 80–88% rates. Buck quality is above-average for Montana — the Yellowstone breaks fringe country consistently produces 15–16 inch bucks.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	79	446	17.7%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 481-20 draws at moderate difficulty: 1,117 applicants for 127 permits over three years. Residents with 2–3 points are competitive; non-residents should expect 4+ points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Big Timber has commercial RV parks. Dispersed BLM camping on the Billings FO parcels south of town. No USFS options inside HD.

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Water

Limited. Haul drinking water. Yellowstone River access for non-drinking needs.

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Road Conditions

Paved I-90 and US-191; gravel county roads good in dry weather.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy — rolling prairie with minimal elevation gain.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate due to I-90 accessibility.

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Weather

Warm early, cold by late October. Wind is a constant factor.

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Nearest Town

Big Timber (full services) is the hub. Billings (90 min east) for full gear options.

Note: I-90 access makes HD 481 popular with out-of-state hunters. Book lodging and check BMA access early.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 481 a trophy pronghorn district?

Above-average. The Yellowstone breaks fringe produces 15–16 inch bucks consistently. True Boone and Crockett animals are rare but possible.

How far is HD 481 from Bozeman?

Approximately 90 minutes east on I-90. Easy access makes it a popular weekend destination for Bozeman-area resident hunters.

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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
Billings Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM access south of Big Timber, Scattered parcels · accessed 2026-04-17