Quick Tips
- Get into the backcountry roadless areas for good bulls during the archery season
- Hire an outfitter for private access to whitetail deer and elk in the rifle season
- Bring bear spray and/or sidearm for grizzly protection
- Keep and clean camp and take proper precautions for bears with a downed animal
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 140"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 300"+ |
On The Ground
This district is located in the southwest part of the state, covering the eastern Tobacco Root Mountain range. The Tobacco Roots lie south of the Jefferson River and north west of Ennis, and are comprised of steep and rugged terrain. Elk and whitetail deer are numerous in this district and trophy quality is good for a general tag area. Elk and deer spend the winter on private lands for the most part and are largely unavailable during the rifle season to most hunters. Bull harvests are limited to brow-tined bulls which makes for an older age class in this general district.
The Jefferson River on the perimeter of this district is known for producing great numbers of whitetail deer and some good trophy bucks. The archery elk hunt is very good here on a general tag. Thick timber, rugged terrain, private land wintering grounds and a brow-tined bull only regulation creates an older age class in this district where trophy bulls can be had. Mule deer numbers are down in this district and most harvest occurs on private lands with restricted public access.
Terrain
This district begins northwest of Ennis Lake and follows the hi-line of the Tobacco Root Mountains north to the Jefferson River and east down to Highway 287. The Tobacco Roots are very steep and rugged. Much of the interior of this range is roadless. The eastern and northern portions of this region are comprised of cattle country, hay ground and the large irrigated floodplain of the Jefferson River.
Roughly 838 square miles
45% public land
Elevations from 4,300-10,600 feet
Vegetation
High in the Tobacco Root Mountains the habitat is densely forested with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees with scattered small open meadows with native grasses and wildflowers. At the mid elevations the foothill country remains steep and rugged in some areas while most of the country is open with sparse timber, sagebrush and dryland hay and cattle pastures. In the low flood plains of the Jefferson River, the country consists of a large cottonwood river bottom with thick willows and buck brush surrounded by farmland.
Access
Public access is good in this district especially during the archery season. The lower elevation winter grounds fill up with game later in the year and private land restrictions will hamper access to hunting these animals. Much of the interior of the Tobacco Roots is roadless due to the rugged terrain.
Four-wheel drive and ATV’s can be helpful on forest roads
Horses can be useful in the backcountry
Maps showing land ownership will be useful
Forest roads will be impassible late in the year
Camping and Lodging
The Tobacco Root Mountains provide excellent camping opportunities with several public camping areas throughout. Most elk hunters make use of public camping in the National Forest near trailheads or at the designated campgrounds. This district is close to Ennis and Whitehall for basic supplies and the city of Bozeman is within an hour for major necessities and also has a major airport.
Balanced Rock, Branham Lakes and Potosi campgrounds in the National Forest
Whitetail Creek Hotel and RV Park and Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park for camping and lodging in the north near the Jefferson River
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