Unit 502 District 502 (Region 5)
A narrow ag-and-breaks district south of Billings where a once-famous mule deer herd is rebuilding under CWD pressure.
Clarks Fork Valley — Region 5, South-Central Montana · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
733
sq mi
Public land
20%
approx.
Elevation
3,400–5,200
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 502 is a long, narrow unit running south from Billings, bounded by the Crow Reservation on the east and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River on the west, tapering out just south of Bridger. It is a mix of irrigated river-bottom ag, dryland grain, and grassy sandstone breaks and coulees — classic south-central Montana deer and antelope country. Mule deer here were historically outstanding (a record 1,321 buck harvest three decades ago) but the herd has fallen well below its long-term average, and CWD — first confirmed in Montana's wild deer right here in HD 502 in 2017 — continues to shape management. Whitetail work the Clarks Fork bottoms, pronghorn are stable across the plains, and youth hunters have carried special either-sex mule deer opportunity here in recent seasons.
Terrain
A narrow strip of irrigated Clarks Fork river bottom flanked by dryland grain benches and rough grass-and-sandstone breaks and coulees stepping up from the valley floor.
Cover: Cottonwood and willow along the Clarks Fork; irrigated hay and grain on the bottoms; sage, grass and scattered juniper on the breaks and coulee country.
Landmarks: Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River · Bridger · Fromberg · Crow Reservation boundary · Pryor Mountains (to the east)
Access
This is predominantly private ranch and farm country, so access is the central challenge — line up permission or hunt public alternatives. Scattered BLM and DNRC state-trust parcels dot the breaks, and FWP's Block Management program opens blocks of private ground to free public hunting (check current BMA maps each fall). The Crow Reservation forms the eastern boundary and is NOT open to non-tribal hunting — know that line. State-trust parcels are open with the proper permit.
Managers: private ranch + Block Management, BLM, MT DNRC state trust
Access points: US Highway 310 through Fromberg and Bridger · Clarks Fork valley county roads · BLM and state-trust two-tracks in the breaks · Block Management access points off the highway corridor
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityOnce one of Montana's premier mule deer districts, now rebuilding — populations sit well below the long-term average with low fawn recruitment and CWD in the herd, but bucks still hold in the breaks.
- →Glass the sandstone breaks and coulees at first and last light
- →Hunt the edges where grain benches drop into rough grass country
- →Temper expectations on buck density and pass young deer to aid recovery
- →Submit CWD samples — the disease is established in this herd
Pronghorn
common qualityPronghorn numbers are stable across the district's open grain and grass benches — a reliable south-central antelope hunt.
- →Glass the wide benches from high points and roads
- →Use coulees and terrain to stalk within range on the open flats
- →Key on water and alfalfa in the dry early season
- →Scout Block Management and BLM ground for public antelope access
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail concentrate in the cottonwood and willow bottoms of the Clarks Fork and around irrigated ag — the district's most consistent deer hunting.
- →Still-hunt the Clarks Fork river bottom during the November rut
- →Watch irrigated field edges at dawn and dusk
- →Focus on brushy corridors where whitetail bed near water and food
Pro tips
- →Sort out access first — this is mostly private, so nail down permission or map Block Management and BLM ground
- →Know exactly where the Crow Reservation boundary is on the east; it is closed to non-tribal hunters
- →Plan to submit a CWD sample — the disease is established in HD 502 and sampling matters
- →Pass young mule deer bucks to help a herd sitting below its long-term average
- →Watch for special youth either-sex mule deer opportunity if it carries into the current season
Watch out for
- !CWD is established in this herd (first confirmed here in 2017) — follow sampling and carcass-transport rules
- !Mostly private land — verify boundaries and get permission to avoid trespass
- !The Crow Reservation on the east boundary is not open to non-tribal hunting
- !Dirt breaks and ranch roads turn to slick gumbo when wet
- !Mule deer numbers are down — set realistic expectations
Logistics
Billings, just north, is the full-service hub for anything you need; Laurel, Bridger and Fromberg cover fuel and basics along the valley. US 310 runs the length of the district for easy travel, but ranch and breaks roads are dirt and slick when wet.
Nearest towns: Bridger, Fromberg, Laurel, Billings, Red Lodge
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: Montana proposed hunting reg changes reflect declining mule deer — Bozeman Daily Chronicle · Destination: South-central Montana (Region 5) — MTFWP · Hunting forecast for Region 5 in South-Central Montana — Laurel Outlook · Montana Mule Deer HD 502 — LandTrust
FAQ
- How big is Unit 502 in Montana?
- Unit 502 (District 502 (Region 5)) covers about 733 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,400 to 5,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 502?
- Approximately 20% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch + Block Management, BLM, MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 502?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Whitetail Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 502 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.