Quick Tips
- Pay attention to weather forecasts
- Use GPS and Topo Maps
- Leave a hunt plan with family and friends
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-130" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 120"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 320"+ |
On The Ground
This district includes hundreds of square miles of Helena and Lolo National Forest including portions of Scapegoat Wilderness on the western side of the Continental Divide. North Fork of Blackfoot and Landers River join with many other drainages flowing into the Blackfoot River on its way to Missoula. Elk, mule deer and whitetails are found within the area.
Wolves are heard and their tracks are seen in the National Forest and Wilderness areas. They have had a distinct impact on mule deer and whitetails in the area. Elk herds appear to be stable in some of the drainages while others have seen a decrease in numbers.
Terrain
The Continental Divide splits snowmelt runoff between the Clark Fork to the west and the Missouri to the east. Evans Peak, Flint and Scapegoat Mountains reach over 9,000 feet. Along the southern boundary Red Mountain reaches an elevation of 9,400 feet. Steep passes include Windy, Echo, Hahn Creek and Limestone which provide travel routes between drainages. Rugged vertical ridges, deep rocky drainages, steep densely forested slopes and scattered open parks help describe this wilderness backcountry.
Roughly 305 square miles
100% public land
Elevation from 5,100-9,200 feet
Vegetation
Above tree line are open alpine meadows covered with a variety of wildflowers, moss and lichens. The talus slopes are rocky with some short grasses sticking out between rocks. Small groups of willows surround the many alpine lakes. Dropping below the tree line dense forests of spruce, fir, ponderosa and lodgepole pine cover the mountain slopes. Drainages are choked with mountain shrubs, pines and some clusters of aspen. Foothills have open meadows on the south facing slopes, mountain shrubs and fingers of pine.
Access
30 plus miles of Forest Service trails allow access deep into the Scapegoat Wilderness backcountry. Forest Service roads lead to a number of well-defined trailheads making convenient jump off spots for packing in and out. During periods of heavy rain or snow some of these roads may require four wheel-drive to reach these locations.
Closest main highway is Montana Route 200
Camping and Lodging
National Forest lands allow 14 consecutive days of camping within the wilderness area. The community of Lincoln offers a limited number of motels, cabins or lodges, cafés and restaurants, a medical center and gas and diesel. Missoula some 60 miles southwest and Great Falls about 60 miles east provide a wide variety of motels, hotels, RV camping, bed & breakfasts, cafés and restaurants, medical facilities, regional airports and 24/7 gas and diesel.
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