Quick Tips
- Obtain landowner permission prior to applying in this unit
- Bring maps showing land ownership and good optics
- Rattlesnakes may be encountered up until the first of November in this unit
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 130"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 320"+ |
On The Ground
This hunt district is located in south central Montana. It is northwest of Billings and north of Columbus. The Musselshell River is on the north and the Yellowstone River is on the south. This unit is mostly private land and gaining access can be difficult. It would be wise to obtain permission prior to applying for this unit.
Elk populations in this hunting district have been increasing. Mule deer are scattered throughout the district, but their numbers are dramatically down. Whitetail are also dramatically down and are mainly found along the Yellowstone River and Musselshell River bottoms.
Terrain
This hunt district is mostly open prairie country, but there is broken terrain with lots of coulees and ridges. Scattered pines, cedars and junipers are in the southern quarter of the unit and in the area north of Rapelje. The entire unit is very diverse with lots of minor elevation changes that make for great stalking opportunities.
Roughly 2521 square miles
7% public land
Elevations from 3,500-4,000 feet
Vegetation
Most of the unit is grassland with sagebrush and cactus. The southern quarter of the unit has pine hills with sandstone ridges and deep coulees that have cedar and juniper trees. There is an area north of Rapelje that also has massive sandstone rimrocks, deep coulees and pine trees. Most of the creeks have agriculture fields adjacent to them. Both the Yellowstone and Musselshell River bottoms have irrigated cropland in the valleys. There is a lot of dry land farming scattered throughout the unit.
Access
Good gravel county roads run throughout the area. Most of the deer and elk reside on private land with access being difficult. There are state sections scattered throughout the unit and a few ranches are in the Block Management Program. Rain can make travel difficult, stay on the gravel roads or pavement if it gets very wet.
ATVs are handy if allowed by the landowner
Hiking is relatively easy, mostly stalking through the broken terrain
Camping and Lodging
Columbus has several motels, restaurants and gas stations. Billings is a large city with everything you could possibly need. The small towns of Rapelje, Ryegate, Lavina and Broadview all have gas and food. There is some camping allowed in the unit. There are campgrounds along the Yellowstone River and at Deadmans Basin Reservoir.
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