Quick Tips
- Weekend traffic from Missoula is significant
- Be cautious of black bears
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-150" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-130" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 330"+ |
On The Ground
Bordered to the west by the Bitterroot River and the east by the blue ribbon fishery of Rock Creek, this unit covers the northern end of the Sapphire Mountains. Public access is great with a few non-motorized areas for hunters looking for short overnight type trips.
While not known as a trophy area, this area does produce the occasional trophy and has decent access for hunters willing to work for a respectable buck or bull. Whitetails typically harvested are of a younger age class. Elk are very limited in numbers, but do exist though few legal bulls harvested every year. Mule deer are found in higher elevations though densities are low.
Terrain
This unit varies from a low of around 3,200 feet on the Clark Fork River to a high of over 7,300 feet on Cleveland Mountain. The majority of the unit is mountainous and timbered with a few higher elevation alpine habitats. The valley floors have farm ground which is mostly private. In the Sapphire Range you will find scree slopes and rocky outcroppings at the higher elevations. Even the lower elevations are steep and rugged.
Roughly 416 square miles
65% public land
Elevations 3,200-7,331 feet
Vegetation
The majority of the ground is covered by some form of timber consisting of true firs, Douglas fir, larch, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine. Some open grass hillsides and burned areas combined with logged areas account for the remaining ground cover in this area. The lower elevations are rolling grass hills giving way to the valley floor.
Access
Public access in this unit is excellent. The western half has forest access roads running through it. The east is all trail accessible other than Schwartz Creek which crosses the northern portion of the unit. The Welcome Creek Wilderness will provide solitude and some remote areas. Major access roads include Rock Creek to access eastern trailheads, Schwartz Creek and Eight Mile Road.
Camping and Lodging
Lodging is available in Missoula, Lolo, Stevensville, Florence, and Rock Creek. Camping is allowed on National Forest ground up to 14 days in a row. A few campgrounds along Rock Creek are available.
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