Unit 536-20 (Powder River / Broadus Plains)

Montana Hunting Guide — Antelope

Hunting District 536 covers the rolling sage prairie and breaks country of the Powder River drainage in southeastern Montana near Broadus. A mix of BLM parcels, state trust land, and Block Management Areas opens up meaningful public hunting in an otherwise private-dominated region. With roughly 569 tags issued against about 1,224 applicants over three years, HD 536-20 draws consistently for residents holding a couple of points and represents one of the better odds-to-quality pronghorn options in Custer County.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Antelope Hunting in Unit 536-20

Where to Find Pronghorn in HD 536

HD 536 runs along the Powder River corridor and out into the broken sage ridges east and west of Broadus. Pronghorn concentrate on the open benches between the river bottom and the pine-dotted breaks.

BLM Sections on the Western Rise

The scattered BLM parcels west of Powderville toward Mizpah and the Custer National Forest boundary hold consistent herds. Focus on south-facing sage flats at 3,000–3,500 feet where bucks group with does in September and early October.

Block Management Areas Along the Powder

Several working cattle ranches north and south of Broadus enroll in FWP's Block Management Program each fall. These BMAs open miles of prime sage-cedar mosaic that private leases would otherwise lock up. Check the current BMA tab before the trip.

State Trust Land Pockets

Section 16 and 36 state parcels are numerous in HD 536. Many are landlocked, but a handful are road-accessible and receive light pressure — they reward hunters who do the homework in FWP Hunt Planner before leaving home.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in HD 536

Eastern Montana pronghorn hunting is a glass-first, mileage-heavy game. Cover ground in the truck, glass from every elevated two-track, and commit to stalks only on bucks worth the effort.

Truck-and-Glass Grid

Start mornings driving the section-line roads between Broadus and Powderville. Stop on every rise, glass 360 degrees with a tripod-mounted 15x binocular, and mark groups. The rolling terrain hides pronghorn in shallow coulees — a 15-minute patient glass usually turns up animals that a quick scan misses.

Coulee Stalks

Once you pick a buck, use the shallow drainages and cutbanks to close. Wind direction matters less than silhouette — pronghorn pick up movement on the skyline at half a mile. Crawl the last 150 yards and plan for a 200–300 yard shot.

Waterholes in Dry Years

In drought seasons, stock tanks and reservoirs on BLM/BMA land become reliable ambush spots. A morning sit at a tank that shows fresh pronghorn sign can produce shots inside 100 yards.

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Antelope Success Rates

With roughly 569 tags issued across the three-year reporting window, HD 536-20 is a mid-volume district for southeastern Montana. Rifle success on issued tags historically runs 75–85% — most permit holders who make the trip fill their tag. Buck quality is solid, with the better animals coming off the remote BLM parcels well away from the Powder River Road.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	260	633	41.1%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 536-20 sits in the middle of Montana's antelope demand curve. Against roughly 1,224 applicants over three years for about 569 tags, resident draw odds are workable at 1–2 bonus points and non-resident odds tighten considerably. Check the FWP Drawing Statistics table for the current year's quota before committing points here — quotas flex with survey counts.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Primitive BLM dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Miles City Field Office parcels. Broadus has an RV park and a handful of motels. No developed USFS campgrounds inside the HD.

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Water

Limited. The Powder River is the only reliable surface water and is often too silty to drink. Haul all drinking water from Broadus or Miles City.

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Road Conditions

Gravel county roads in good weather, bentonite gumbo when wet. A single rain event can strand 2WD vehicles for a day. High-clearance with mud tires strongly recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate walking on rolling sage flats and shallow breaks. Distances are deceptive — plan for 4–8 miles per day when glassing-and-stalking.

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Hunting Pressure

Light to moderate. Resident pressure peaks opening weekend, then drops sharply. Non-resident tag holders are rare.

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Weather

Hot early season (80°F+ possible into mid-September). Cold fronts bring snow and wind by late October. Pack for 20–80°F.

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Nearest Town

Broadus (population ~440) for fuel, groceries, and motels. Miles City (90 min) for full services.

Note: Respect private property boundaries rigorously — check FWP Hunt Planner overlays and don't trust orange-paint postings alone. Get written permission or stick to BLM/BMA/state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to draw an antelope tag in Montana HD 536?

HD 536-20 drew roughly 1,224 applicants for 569 tags over the last three years — residents with 1–2 bonus points have workable odds. Non-residents face tighter odds and should check FWP Drawing Statistics each year.

Where is Montana HD 536 located?

HD 536 surrounds Broadus in southeastern Montana along the Powder River in Powder River County, extending through sage and ponderosa breaks country between the river and the Custer National Forest.

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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, License type definitions, 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
Miles City Field Office — Powder River Area — Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM parcel access in Powder River country, Scattered public sections · accessed 2026-04-17