Unit 555 District 555 (Region 5)
Trophy desert mule deer in the Pryors between the Crow Reservation and Wyoming
Pryor Mountains — Region 5 (South-Central Montana) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
791
sq mi
Public land
68%
approx.
Elevation
4,100–8,800
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 555 spans the Pryor Mountains in the far south-central corner of Montana, bounded by the Crow Indian Reservation on the east and north, the Wyoming line to the south, and reaching from Bighorn Canyon on the east toward the Beartooth front on the west. It is a rugged, largely arid landscape of desert basins, limestone canyons and a timbered mountain island grazed by cattle — and it is best known as a trophy mule deer unit. Whitetail hold in the river bottoms, elk are few and tightly permitted, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area on the east side is open to hunting with some restrictions.
Terrain
Dry desert basins and sage flats rise through deep limestone canyons and juniper breaks to the timbered, alpine-topped Pryor Mountain plateau.
Cover: Sagebrush-grassland and desert shrub on the low ground; juniper, mountain-mahogany and limber pine on the breaks; Douglas-fir and open alpine parks on the high plateau.
Landmarks: Pryor Mountains · Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Bighorn Lake / Reservoir · Big Pryor Mountain · Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range
Access
A high share of public land — BLM desert and canyon country, Custer Gallatin National Forest on the mountain, and Bighorn Canyon NRA (open to hunting with area restrictions near recreation sites). The Crow Reservation borders the district and is closed to non-tribal hunting — know the boundary. Private ranch and DNRC state trust fill the gaps; Block Management can open additional acreage. Roads are rough, remote and often require high clearance.
Managers: BLM, USFS Custer Gallatin NF, NPS (Bighorn Canyon NRA), MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management
Access points: Highway 310 / Warren area · Pryor Mountain Road (BLM/FS) · Bighorn Canyon NRA access on the east · Crooked Creek / Sage Creek roads · DNRC and BLM two-tracks
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyThe signature species — the Pryors are known for producing trophy-class mule deer, with quality swinging on winter severity and summer moisture.
- →Glass canyon rims, juniper breaks and high mountain parks at first and last light
- →Hunt the mountain and breaks; big bucks use rough, remote pockets
- →Spot-and-stalk with the wind in the broken limestone country
- →Hunt later in the season when bucks move and rut
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail hold in decent concentrations along the river bottoms and irrigated ag corridors on the district's lower edges.
- →Hunt cottonwood bottoms and cropland edges morning and evening
- →Rattle and grunt during the November rut
- →Watch travel between bedding cover and feed
Black Bear
limited qualityBlack bear inhabit the timbered Pryor high country and are known for good hide quality; hunted on limited quota, mainly in spring. No grizzlies here.
- →Glass green-up slopes, old burns and berry pockets in the timber
- →Focus on the forested plateau and canyon heads
- →Check limited-quota status before hunting
Pronghorn
limited opportunityPronghorn range the open sage basins and desert flats around the base of the Pryors.
- →Glass wide-open basins and spot-and-stalk
- →Use terrain rolls and washes to close distance
- →Hunt Block Management and BLM flats where antelope hold
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk numbers are low and hard to find; permits are very limited, but a few good bulls come out each year.
- →Hunt the timbered plateau and canyon heads with a limited permit
- →Glass remote parks at dawn far from roads
- →Expect to cover a lot of country for few animals
Pro tips
- →This is a trophy mule deer unit — hunt the mountain and rough breaks, and be patient for a mature buck
- →Know the Crow Reservation boundary — it borders the district and is closed to non-tribal hunters
- →Bighorn Canyon NRA is huntable but has restrictions near recreation sites — check the rules
- →Whitetail live in the river bottoms; antelope on the desert flats
- →Carry water and high-clearance capability — it's remote, dry and rough
Watch out for
- !Crow Indian Reservation borders the district (east/north) and is closed to non-tribal hunting — verify the line
- !Bighorn Canyon NRA hunting has area and safety restrictions near recreation zones
- !Remote, arid country with rough high-clearance roads that turn impassable when wet — carry water and recovery gear
- !Extensive private ranch and DNRC state trust — confirm public vs. private and use Block Management
Logistics
Bridger and the small community of Warren sit nearest the west side; Lovell, Wyoming is the closest town to the Bighorn Canyon side, and Billings is the regional hub for full services. This is remote, arid country — carry extra water, fuel and recovery gear, and expect rough, high-clearance roads far from help.
Nearest towns: Bridger, Warren, Lovell (WY), Billings
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Deer/Elk Hunting District 555 Map · Montana Hunt District 555 Unit Profile (GOHUNT) · MTFWP Region 5 (South-Central Montana) · Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (NPS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 555 in Montana?
- Unit 555 (District 555 (Region 5)) covers about 791 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,100 to 8,800 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 555?
- Approximately 68% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Custer Gallatin NF, NPS (Bighorn Canyon NRA), MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 555?
- Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 555 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.