Wild About Hunting
The ethical harvesting of an animal has always been a part of this landscape. American Prairie doesn’t change that. Public land access stays public. Most hunting access on American Prairie is managed through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Block Management Program—with over 82,000 acres open to hunting for the 2026 season. Hunting on our Special Management Units is managed directly by us.
What You Need to Know
Is hunting allowed? Yes, on over 82,000 acres of our deeded land, administered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Block Management program.
What can you hunt? Elk, deer, pronghorn, upland birds, and more — depending on season and location. Check MT FWP regulations and Block Management maps for the latest information.
Do I need permission to cross American Prairie land to reach public land? No — you can cross American Prairie property (on foot, horseback, or on designated motorized roads) to access adjacent public land, outside of posted Wildlife Areas or private residential zones.
What about non-game species? No non-game shooting of any kind is allowed on American Prairie property. Prairie dogs, coyotes, and other non-game species may not be shot.
Montana FWP Region 4 Properties
PN: Located almost entirely within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument at the confluence of the Judith and the Missouri Rivers. The property includes more than 20 miles of riverfront that stretches west to Arrow Creek. The PN is a working cattle ranch. Please leave all gates as you find them (open or closed) and observe posted no-shooting zones in residential areas.
PN Ranch Block Management Area is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
Judith River Special Management Unit on the PN is managed by American Prairie. Bull Elk Hunting on the PN will be available in the Judith River Special Management Unit. Hunters who hold the 417-21 archery tag and the 426-20 rifle tag will be able to apply for hunting access with a free application. Click here to learn more.
Two Crow: Located on the south side of the Missouri River north of Winnett, Montana and includes rolling prairie, timber, ponderosa ridges, and breaks country. Hunting on Two Crow is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
Montana FWP Region 6 Properties
Blue Ridge: Nestled in the Larb Hills on the north side of Fort Peck Reservoir, Blue Ridge provides connectivity to migratory pathways for wildlife from neighboring protected areas such as the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Blue Ridge is divided into two areas: the Blue Ridge Block Management Area and the Blue Ridge Special Management Area.
Blue Ridge Block Management Area is listed as AB/APR on MT FWP block management maps. Hunting on Blue Ridge is managed by MT FWP through Type 1 Block Management. Click here to learn more.
Blue Ridge Special Management Area: Hunting on the Blue Ridge Special Management Area is restricted to bull elk through a special drawing for hunters who draw the 620-20, 620-21, 622-20, or 699-01 elk tags.
The 2026 Blue Ridge Special Management Area elk hunt drawing is currently CLOSED. Learn more about this special management area on our website.
Cow Island/Cow Creek Block Management Area: Accessible via the Missouri River, Cow Island habitat includes the Missouri Breaks, cottonwood groves and riparian meadows. Hunting on Cow Island/Cow Creek is managed by MT FWP through Type 1 Block Management. Click here to learn more.
Dry Fork Block Management Area: Located south of Malta, Montana east of Highway 191. Dry Fork is made up of several properties with diverse topography and habitat, including mixed grasslands, breaks country, and riparian corridors. Leave all gates as you find them and observe all posted no-shooting zones. Hunting on Dry Fork is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
Dry Fork South: Click here to learn more about the Spring Creek parcel.
Ragland Bench/Butka Block Management Area: A small property north of the Missouri River and includes bench land and breaks. Hunting on Ragland Bench/Butka is managed by MT FWP through Type 1 Block Management. Click here to learn more.
Timber Creek/Page-Whitham Block Management Area: Located on the north side of the Missouri River and includes dry grasslands and breaks country. Hunting on Timber Creek is managed by MT FWP through Type 1 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
White Rock Block Management Area: Located south of Malta and east of Highway 191. White Rock’s habitat includes mixed grasslands and riparian corridors. Bison are present on White Rock. For your safety and theirs, keep at least 100 yards of distance between yourself and bison. Leave all gates as you find them and observe all posted no-shooting zones. Hunting on White Rock is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
Wild Horse Block Management Area: The Wild Horse property is located south of Malta on the west side of US-191. It is open grassland habitat and borders the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Hunting on Wild Horse is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management. Click here to learn more.
Montana FWP Region 7 Properties
The 73: Hunting on the 73 is managed by MT FWP through Type 2 Block Management by reservation through MT FWP. Click here to learn more.
Please refer to the 73 property map for more property information.
Bison Harvest Drawing
American Prairie offers a free annual bison harvest lottery. More than 90% of opportunities are reserved for Montana residents. The drawing is announced annually — sign up for notifications to be alerted when the drawing opens.
In 2024, more than 4,400 people entered the drawing. Opportunities are limited. Sign up early.
Why Hunting Belongs on This Landscape
Healthy wildlife populations need habitat, space, and management. Hunting has always been part of how people engage with and take responsibility for the land. A landscape big enough for bison is big enough for elk, deer, and the hunters who pursue them.
These aren’t competing values. They’re part of the same landscape and a way of life in Montana.