Quick Tips
- Grizzlies are occasionally encountered in this area, spray or a sidearm is recommended
- Clean campsites are a must when camping in bear country
- GPS, maps, or a compass are highly recommended
On The Ground
This massive district is found in west central Montana and lies just north of the town Butte, and south of the state capital, Helena. Hunters will find a wide array of terrain and vegetation types here, along with a stable population of black bears. There are plenty of roads to provide good access into bear habitat, as well as miles of national forest, free of roads and competition for those willing to hike.
Like most of western Montana, hunters can expect to come to this area with a decent shot at bears in the 5’ and up range.
Terrain
When hunting this district, hunters will have their choice on what type of terrain they’d like to hunt. The lower expanses of the area contain vast open prairies covered in sage, with intermittent breaks in the way of gentle ridges. As the elevation begins to increase, so will the tree and vegetation density. In the highest elevations you can expect to find heavy tree cover and more elevation exaggeration, though the steepness and depth of the drainages will not be as extreme as surrounding areas.
Roughly 2,781 square miles
52.8% public land
Elevations range from 4,000-9,800 feet
Vegetation
Like most of the surrounding areas you can expect to find a fairly wide array of vegetation in this hunting district. In the lower elevations, small patches of juniper will be found among vast grass fields covered in sagebrush. As the elevation increases tree cover will also increase, with great stands of mature forest including ponderosa pine, red fir, lodgepole and subalpine fir in the highest areas. This area is also heavily abundant in rock, both big and small. Watching your step during cross country travel can make the difference between an enjoyable hunt or heading home early with a sprained ankle.
Access
Generally speaking, access is excellent in this unit. In most of the low lying lands, there will be large tracts of private lands, of which, several are enrolled in Montana’s BMA program. As the elevations increase, the tracts of private will now be replaced with miles and miles or public. When hunting these areas, you can easily ditch the competition and escape most pressure if you are willing to work for it. The small island of mountains, just north of Whitehall in the southeast corner of the unit, can provide some difficulty in access due to the checkerboarded public and private land. Remember, corner hopping is illegal in Montana. Land ownership software is highly recommended in this area. Overall, there is fairly easy access for those looking for a relaxed hunt and plenty of roadless areas to explore. There is not as much logging activity in this area as some surrounding units, making run and gun style tactics harder when hunting some of the high country areas.
Main roads for access include Interstate 90, Interstate 15, Highway 12, Highway 287, and Highway 69
Glassing spots can be hard to find in some of the higher elevations
Land ownership maps and software can be time saving
Camping and Lodging
There are plenty of lodging options to be found in the major cities of both Butte and Helena. Because of the size of this unit, it may be important to first narrow down some hunting areas before booking any lodging. Primitive camping options are available throughout the area and permissible for up to 14 days. Groceries and sporting goods can be found in both Butte and Helena, as well as Deer Lodge, Townsend, and Whitehall.
Bear tags are not valid until 24 hour after the time of purchase, travelling hunters should keep this in mind
Modern lodging options can be found throughout Helena and Butte
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