Quick Tips
- Competition will be very heavy on the limited public lands
- Average age of deer and elk will be very low, as will the odds of success
- Tire chains recommended with the elevation and location of this hunting district
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-140" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 330"+ |
On The Ground
This hunting district is found in West Central Montana and lies between Highway 200 and Interstate 90. The area is mostly private land with very limited public access. Hunters here are generally try gaining permission to hunt these private lands, participating in shoulder season hunts, or hunting on private lands enrolled in the Block Management program. Both deer and elk are taken in this unit, with low average age for each species and trophy potentials equally as low.
This district will fly under the radar for most hunters, but has the potential to fill a tag if permission is given to hunt on private land.
Terrain
This area consists of a largely open, prairie type landscape with some forested areas found on the eastern and western fringes of the district. Hunters will encounter very easy ground to traverse and be exposed to great glassing opportunities due to the lack of vegetation while hunting the open country. However, some steeper areas of heavy tree cover can be found.
Roughly 152 square miles
15.7%public land
Elevations from 3,000–7,600 feet
Vegetation
Sage flats with large patches of juniper and ponderosa cover a majority of the land. As the elevation increases on the east and west borders, the sage flats begin to give way to large stands of ponderosa, doug fir, lodgepole, and red fir. The cover will increase significantly in forested areas, yet heavy logging activity is still evident and most trees will not be at a full, mature height.
Access
While consisting almost entirely of private lands, there are some exceptions including small parcels of state and BLM lands. Along the eastern side, there are some private lands enrolled in the Block Management Access program providing hunters public access to private lands. Logging and rural farm roads can be found all over this district, providing easy access to nearly every location that can be hunted.
Main roads of access will include Highway 200, Highway 271, and the Ovando-Helmville Cutoff road
Hunters are encouraged to get forest service, BLM, or GPS land ownership maps prior to the hunt
In winter conditions, tire chains are recommended as this area typically experiences heavy snowfall
Camping and Lodging
There are zero primitive campgrounds, RV parks, or hotels found within this district which forces hunters to seek lodging outside of the unit. The closest available modern lodging options will be found just outside of the southern border, in the small town of Drummond. Primitive camping is permitted on state and BLM lands for up to 14 continuous days. Groceries and gear will need to be bought elsewhere before heading to this unit.
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