Quick Tips
- Wolves are found in the area
- Use GPS maps to know boundary lines
- Be prepared for sudden winter storms
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-140" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 130"+ |
| Elk | 260"-310" | 330"+ |
On The Ground
This district sits south of Interstate 90 and east of Missoula. The Deerlodge National Forest and some Black Management Areas provide thousands of acres of public land access. Private ground in the northeast and southern sections requires permission to access.
Whitetails are typically found within a mile or two of Montana Route1 along Flint Creek on irrigated and dryland farms. Mature mule deer bucks like the ridges and slopes of the John Long Mountains during the summer and early fall. Once hunting season starts they head into the Upper Willow and the South Fork Lower Willow Creek drainage or towards the rolling shrub choked foothills west of Phippsburg. Elk typically travel in herds between Strawberry Mountain, Black Pine Ridge and Henderson Mountain based on weather and hunting pressure.
Terrain
The John Long Mountains, with an elevation of 7,800 feet on Sliderock Mountain, are drained by South Fork Willow Creek as it flows northeast towards the Clark Fork. Broad and rolling Phippsburg Valley helps mark the southeastern boundary. The area between Drummond and Maxwell consist of irrigated farmlands, transitioning into foothills and steep ridges that climb above 7,000 feet. A number of drainages carve into the mountain slopes helping to create a vertical landscape.
Roughly 488 square miles
41.5% public land
Elevations from 4,200-8,000 feet
Vegetation
Densely timbered slopes on the John Long Range support stands of ponderosa, lodgepole pine, Douglas fir and spruce with some open meadows on south facing slopes. Cottonwoods and willows can be found along creek bottoms at lower elevations, along with large meadows of grass, wildflower and vast areas of sagebrush. Foothills have ridges with mountain shrubs and some groves of aspen. There are large irrigated farms along Montana Route 1 that raise various crops and hay during the growing seasons.
Access
Deerlodge National Forest has a good Forest Service road and trail system. Some of the roads are designated as four-wheel drive only. Block Management Areas have travel restrictions so spend time talking with local FWP offices for details. November can bring periods of heavy snow that can block many of the roads so pay attention to weather reports to avoid getting stuck.
Camping and Lodging
Deerlodge National Forest allows camping for up to 14 consecutive days. Before camping in Block Management Areas check with FWP regarding any restrictions. Drummond and Phippsburg are small communities that offer limited choices in motels, cafés, medical facilities and service stations. Missoula, about 30 miles west, provides a wide variety of hotels, motels, restaurants and cafés, regional medical facility and gas stations.
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