Quick Tips
- Late in the season roads can become very snow packed -tire chains are recommended
- GPS with landowner overlay
- Allow plenty of time to hunt the district
On The Ground
Lower Blackfoot district encompasses portions of Flathead and Lolo National Forest plus 34,000 acre Rattlesnake Wilderness Area and 24,000 acre Marshall Creek Wildlife Management Area offers hundreds of square miles of public lands. Special use rules apply to Rattlesnake Wilderness and Marshall Creek. Missoula is in the southwest corner adding to the popularity of the area.
Missoula County has a number of bulls scoring 167” to 150” entered in the Boone and Crockett record book. Powell County does not have any listings. Blackfoot, Rattlesnake and Clearwater drainages and surrounding valleys and slopes is worth scouting during early September. Look for signs of the breeding season is in full swing; a fresh rub or wallow with a rank smell hanging in the air then set up and call.
Terrain
Mission and Swan Mountains have peaks with elevations of 9,000 feet. Sealy, Salmon, Alva and Inez lakes were created by dams on the Clearwater River that flows in the eastern portion. Blackfoot River runs along the southern Boundary. Both of these rivers provide lush forage and dense cover for moose. Rattlesnake Creek helps drain the snowmelt off 8,600 foot McCloud Peak. Steep mountains, broad river valleys and rugged drainages help make this area a challenge for any hunter.
Roughly 538 square miles
63.8% public land
Elevations from 4,700–9,000 feet
Vegetation
Two Broad river valleys support stands of willow, ponderosa pine, and shrubs. Foothills have more ponderosa pine, mountain shrubs, and small groves of aspen. Grasses cover open slopes and valley meadows. As the slope gets steeper thick forest of spruce, fir and pine can make travel and glassing difficult. Near or above timberline are plenty of lush meadows and willow near alpine lakes with moss and lichens draping rocks and boulders.
Access
County and Forest Service roads meet up with trailheads and old logging roads that lead tag holders deep into the backcountry. Roads and trails are maintained but watch conditions change with heavy rain or snow. Four-wheel drive recommended during the latter part of the season. Special travel regulations apply to wilderness area; no motorized vehicles allowed.
Montana Routes 200 and 83 are main highways
Eight trailheads establish for Rattlesnake Wilderness
Camping and Lodging
Lolo and Flathead National Forest permit camping in developed or disperse campsites with a maximum stay of 16 days. Missoula is right next door to Rattlesnake Wilderness and just a short drive away from Flathead National Forest. The city has a wide variety of lodging, café’s and restaurants, offers a regional hospital and airport and offers 24/7 gas and diesel. Along Montana Route 83 is the community of Seeley Lake that peroxides a limited number of motels, café’s or restaurants, and gas and diesel.
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