Hunt District 442

The backcountry areas of this district are comprised of dense pine forest with pockets of aspen that give way to high open grassy basins above tree line and scattered open parks of prairie grasses and wildflowers on the long east and west facing slopes. In the summer of 2015 a wildfire burned large portions of the Sun River Game Preserve and the Bob Marshall Wilderness which should will open up some new country for glassing. On the eastern portion of the district along the Rocky Mountain Front thick pine forests give way to rolling sagebrush and prairie grass pastures in the lower elevations. Creek beds running through the lower elevations are choked with willows, Russian olive and buck brush providing good cover and winter feed for deer and elk.

Public access roads to the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Bob Marshall Wilderness are limited, but once accessed these areas have great trail systems for backpacking and riding horseback. Gibson Reservoir on the Sun River Road provides excellent access along the south end of the district while the South Fork Road provides excellent access on the north along the Teton River. The Ear Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides a good public access point on the eastern front and can be easily accessed on Bellview Road.

The town of Great Falls is a good hub located about 90 minutes east of the district to stock up on supplies or get any last minute items from the sporting goods store. Choteau and Augusta are the nearest towns to the district with limited supplies such as fuel and food. Be prepared for a backcountry type camp if you are hunting this district. Light backpack camps and wall tents with horses are the most commonly used camping systems. The Lewis and Clark National Forest does offer a variety of campsite locations near the trailheads, although they are mostly primitive. Look at Gibson Reservoir and the South Fork of the Teton River for good camping areas near the road system.