Montana Elk Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 560 (Boulder River)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Unit 560 covers the Boulder River drainage south of Big Timber, extending into the northern Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in south-central Montana. Timbered mountain terrain from 4,800 to over 10,000 feet along the Gallatin National Forest provides prime elk habitat. With roughly 70% public land, strong elk density, and rifle success averaging around 17%, this is a productive unit that offers both accessible road-based hunting and deep backcountry wilderness opportunity.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 560

Where to Find Elk in Unit 560

Elk in Unit 560 use the Boulder River drainage and its tributary canyons from the valley floor up to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary and beyond.

Boulder River Timbered Canyons (5,000–8,000 ft)

The tributary canyons feeding the Boulder River — including the West Boulder, East Boulder, and Main Boulder drainages — hold the primary elk concentration. Dense Douglas fir and lodgepole timber on north-facing slopes provides security cover. Elk bed in the timber and feed in the mountain parks and meadows scattered through the canyon system.

Wilderness Edge and Alpine (7,500–10,000+ ft)

The southern portion of the unit extends into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. During archery season, bulls hold in the high basins and alpine parks along the wilderness boundary. Access requires 4–8 mile hikes from the Boulder River Road trailheads. Bull quality improves significantly with distance from roads.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 560

The Boulder River drainage offers a natural corridor from accessible valley terrain to deep wilderness backcountry.

Canyon Timber Hunting

Work the timbered benches along the Boulder River tributaries during rifle season. Still-hunt through the timber-meadow transition on the mid-elevation benches between 5,500 and 7,500 feet. Elk travel between bedding timber and feeding parks on predictable routes through saddles and creek crossings. Overcast and snowy days produce the best movement.

Wilderness Pack-In

For trophy opportunity, pack into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness from the Boulder River Road trailheads. Plan 3–5 day spike camps in the upper drainages. September archery hunts in the high basins above 8,000 feet produce excellent bugling. The wilderness interior holds the best bull quality in the unit.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 560 delivers 17% rifle success, 8% archery, and 12% muzzleloader. The mixed access — 52% public land with significant private holdings — requires homework on Block Management enrollment. Hunters with access to both mountain and valley terrain outperform those limited to one habitat type.

Elk Draw Odds

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

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Montana's bonus point system applies. General season OTC tags are available for residents. Non-residents face moderate competition in the Big Game Combination draw. The Tobacco Root area is a mid-tier unit in terms of draw difficulty — reasonable for non-residents with a few preference points.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 560

HD 560 covers the Boulder River drainage south of Big Timber, extending into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Mule deer here use the timbered canyon slopes, sage foothills, and alpine transition zones along this productive drainage. The Gallatin National Forest provides strong public land access, and the Boulder River Road gives hunters a paved corridor deep into the mountains. Trophy potential is above average in the rugged backcountry, while the lower foothills provide more accessible hunting with moderate pressure.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 560

Mule deer in HD 560 use the Boulder River drainage and surrounding mountain terrain:

Boulder River Canyon Slopes

The timbered slopes on both sides of the Boulder River hold mule deer in the Douglas fir, aspen, and ponderosa pine zones. Bucks use rocky outcrops and brushy draws for bedding, feeding in the open parks and sage openings along the canyon walls. Glass across the canyon from elevated positions for the best visibility.

Sage and Grass Foothills (5,000–6,500 ft)

The foothills where the Boulder River drainage opens up near Big Timber hold the most accessible mule deer. Rolling sage and bunchgrass terrain with coulee systems provides classic glassing country. Bucks bed in the deeper draws and feed on sage flats at dawn and dusk.

Upper Boulder Wilderness Edge

The upper Boulder drainage near the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary holds backcountry mule deer in alpine transition habitat. This remote terrain produces quality bucks for hunters willing to hike deep. Snow pushes deer from this zone to lower elevations by late October.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 560

The Boulder River country rewards a mix of canyon glassing and foothill tactics:

Canyon Glassing

Set up on elevated points above the Boulder River canyon and glass the opposite slopes at dawn and dusk. Deer feeding on open slopes and in aspen parks are visible at long range. Plan your stalk around terrain features — the canyon terrain provides draws and ridge fingers for covered approaches.

Foothill Spot-and-Stalk

In the sage foothills near Big Timber, gain elevation early and glass the basins below. Once you spot a buck worth pursuing, use coulee systems to close distance. Keep the wind in your face and move slowly through the sage. Pressured deer in these foothills are alert and quick to flee on open ground.

Snow Migration

The first heavy snow pushes deer from the upper Boulder drainage and timbered slopes into the lower foothills. This migration creates the best hunting window — deer are concentrated, visible, and moving through predictable corridors. Plan flexible dates around weather for the best odds.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule deer success in HD 560 is average for southwestern Montana. The district supports a stable population without exceptional trophy quality. Hunters who time their trips around snowfall and migration patterns see the best results. The Tobacco Roots are a reliable, uncrowded alternative to the more famous districts nearby.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

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

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General deer tags are over-the-counter for Montana residents. Non-residents use the combo license. No special permits are typically required for mule deer in HD 560, making it an accessible and low-barrier option.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 560

The sage flats and open grassland in the lower Boulder River drainage near Big Timber support a pronghorn population in HD 560. Antelope favor the drier benchlands and sage country where the Boulder drainage opens onto the Yellowstone Valley. Numbers are modest compared to eastern Montana, but the broken foothill terrain provides good stalking opportunities, and competition for tags is lower. BLM parcels and Block Management ranches along the lower drainage provide public access to the primary pronghorn zones.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 560

Pronghorn in HD 560 favor the open terrain in the lower Boulder drainage and Yellowstone Valley edge:

Lower Boulder River Flats

The sage and grass flats where the Boulder River drainage opens up near Big Timber hold scattered pronghorn herds. These antelope use the agricultural field edges for supplemental forage and the open sage for security and movement. Glass from county roads to locate herds.

Yellowstone Valley Benchlands

The higher sage benches above the Yellowstone River valley east and south of Big Timber support pronghorn on the drier flats. These benchlands offer rolling terrain features for stalking approaches that flat valley floors lack.

BLM and Block Management Parcels

Scattered BLM and Block Management properties along the lower drainage provide public access to pronghorn habitat. These parcels are modest in size but strategically positioned in open sage country where antelope concentrate.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 560

Pronghorn hunting in the Boulder drainage uses standard spot-and-stalk tactics:

Vehicle Scouting and Glassing

Drive county roads near Big Timber through the sage flats and glass for pronghorn herds. Once you locate antelope on accessible land, park out of sight and plan your approach. The rolling foothill terrain provides more stalking cover than flat eastern Montana prairie.

Coulee and Draw Stalking

Use the draws and coulees in the lower Boulder drainage to close distance on spotted herds. Pronghorn rely on vision — if you stay below the terrain horizon and move slowly, you can approach within rifle range undetected. Wind direction is critical in this open country.

Water Source Ambush

Stock tanks and creek crossings in the sage country concentrate pronghorn during dry conditions. Set up near active water sources during warm September hunts when temperatures push antelope to water midday.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn success in HD 560 is moderate. Numbers are lower than in eastern Montana, but less competition means tag holders have reasonable opportunity. The terrain offers advantages for stalking that compensate for lower density.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

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Pronghorn permits for HD 560 require the special drawing. Fewer applicants than the popular eastern districts means draw odds are favorable, often requiring minimal bonus points. A good choice for hunters who want a pronghorn tag without a long wait.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Forest Service campgrounds along the Boulder River Road and its tributaries. Dispersed camping on Gallatin NF roads. Backcountry camping unrestricted in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

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Water

Abundant. The Boulder River and its tributaries provide reliable water throughout the drainage. Mountain springs and creeks run through hunting season.

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Road Conditions

The Boulder River Road is maintained gravel from Big Timber south into the National Forest. Tributary roads vary from maintained to rough two-track. 4WD recommended for most spur roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. The canyon terrain involves 1,500–3,500 foot elevation gains. Wilderness hunts are physically demanding with longer approaches and alpine terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. The Boulder River Road provides easy access that draws consistent pressure near trailheads. Pressure drops significantly 2+ miles from roads and inside the wilderness.

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Weather

South-central Montana mountain weather. Expect 10–45°F during rifle season. Snow common at elevation after mid-October. The canyon terrain can funnel cold air and create microclimates.

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Nearest Town

Big Timber (20 min) for basic services, fuel, and a few outfitters. Livingston (40 min) or Billings (90 min) for full services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much public land is in Montana Unit 560?

Approximately 52% of Unit 560 is public land. The Tobacco Root Mountains themselves have good public access, but surrounding valleys include significant private land. Block Management enrollment is important for maximizing your hunting area.

Are the Tobacco Root Mountains good for mule deer?

Yes. HD 560 offers consistent mule deer hunting with moderate pressure and 52% public land. Trophy potential is average, but the reliable deer numbers and uncrowded conditions make it a solid choice for southwestern Montana.

Are pronghorn tags easy to draw for HD 560?

Relatively, yes. HD 560 receives fewer applications than the high-density eastern Montana districts. Hunters can often draw within a few years of bonus point accumulation.

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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 Elk Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Elk season structure, License type definitions, HD-level special regulations · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Hunt Planner — Elk — 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 Elk HD 560 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Mule Deer Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Mule Deer season structure, License type definitions, HD-level special regulations · accessed 2026-04-16
FWP Hunt Planner — Mule Deer — 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
Montana Mule Deer HD 560 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · 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
Montana Pronghorn HD 560 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16

Unit 560 (Boulder River)

Elk Hunting in Unit 560

Where to Find Elk in Unit 560

Boulder River Timbered Canyons (5,000–8,000 ft)

Wilderness Edge and Alpine (7,500–10,000+ ft)

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 560

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 560

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 560

Boulder River Canyon Slopes

Sage and Grass Foothills (5,000–6,500 ft)

Upper Boulder Wilderness Edge

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 560

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 560

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 560

Lower Boulder River Flats

Yellowstone Valley Benchlands

BLM and Block Management Parcels

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 560

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 260 — Madison Elk

Unit 280 — Anaconda Elk

Unit 560 — Tobacco Root Elk

Unit 380 — Crazy Mountains Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification