Montana Pronghorn

Unit 501 (Absaroka-Beartooth)

Montana Hunting Guide — Pronghorn

Unit 501 covers the prairie and sage foothills north of Yellowstone National Park in south-central Montana, in the shadow of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The rolling sage and grassland terrain from 4,500 to 6,500 feet at the base of the Beartooth Plateau supports good pronghorn numbers. Roughly 40% public land on BLM and NF provides access. Rifle success averages around 65%, with the dramatic mountain backdrop making this one of Montana's most scenic antelope hunts.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 501

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 501

Pronghorn in Unit 501 occupy the sage foothills and open grassland at the base of the Absaroka-Beartooth range, north of Yellowstone NP.

Sage Foothills and Valley Flats

The rolling sage-covered foothills and open valley flats between 4,500 and 6,000 feet hold the highest pronghorn density. The Yellowstone River valley and Paradise Valley edges provide productive habitat. BLM and NF parcels scattered through the area provide public access.

Mountain-Prairie Transition

Where the sage foothills meet the timbered mountain flanks, pronghorn concentrate on the open ground. These transition zones provide natural boundaries that keep herds in predictable areas. Water sources from mountain runoff attract and concentrate animals.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 501

The northern prairie provides classic pronghorn hunting in wide-open terrain.

Drive and Glass

Cruise county roads slowly, glassing for herds. The very high density means you will see pronghorn quickly. Be selective — glass herds carefully to identify mature bucks before committing to a stalk. With high numbers, there is no need to rush at the first animals you see.

Prairie Stalk

The flat terrain makes stalking challenging. Use every depression, fence line, and terrain fold for cover. Belly crawling the last 100–200 yards is often necessary on the open flats. A decoy can help close distance during the rut.

Pro Members Only

Unlock pronghorn tactics for Unit 501

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn rifle success in Unit 501 averages 70% — among the highest in Montana. The very high antelope density and open terrain make this a near-guaranteed opportunity for rifle hunters who can shoot at medium range.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

Search Montana Draw Odds

Montana pronghorn tags for the Havre area draw through the bonus point system. Unit 501 has good tag availability due to the high animal density. Non-residents with even 1–2 preference points have solid odds. Check leftover tags for additional availability.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

⛺

Camp Sites

Forest Service campgrounds near the Beartooth Highway area. Dispersed camping on BLM and NF lands. Private campgrounds near Livingston and Big Timber.

💧

Water

Moderate. Mountain-fed creeks cross the foothills. Carry water for hunts on the open sage flats away from drainages.

🛣️

Road Conditions

I-90 provides paved access. County gravel roads through the sage foothills are generally good. 2WD sufficient in dry conditions.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Rolling sage foothills with gentle terrain. Some sage-covered hills require moderate exertion for glassing positions.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Proximity to Livingston and the Paradise Valley brings more hunters than remote northern units.

🌦️

Weather

South-central Montana at elevation. Expect 20–60°F during early pronghorn season. By late season, cold fronts bring freezing temperatures. Mountain-generated wind on the foothills can be strong.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Livingston (30 min) for full services. Big Timber for basic supplies. Billings (90 min) for complete outfitting.

Pro Members Only

Unlock logistics for Havre pronghorn

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 501 the best pronghorn unit in Montana?

Unit 501 has the highest pronghorn density rating (Very High) and 70% rifle success, making it one of Montana's top pronghorn destinations. The remote northern location limits pressure, and 35% public land with BLM/state parcels provides reasonable access.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-16.

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 2026-04-16
FWP Antelope Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Pronghorn season structure, License type definitions, HD-level special regulations · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Hunt Planner — Pronghorn — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD boundary geometry, Public-land layers (BLM/USFS/SLB/Block Management), Block Management Areas + Walk-In · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds by license/permit code, Applicant and quota counts, Bonus points progression · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Per-HD harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Game check-station data · accessed 2026-04-16
Montana Pronghorn HD 501 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16