Quick Tips
- Asking permission from private landowners can be effective
- Fresno Reservoir provides great walleye fishing
- Bug spray is essential during the early season
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-140" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-130" | 140"+ |
On The Ground
This district is located in the north central part of Montana. This large and desolate area is sandwiched between Montana Highway 2 on the south boundary and the Canada-US border on the north. Mule deer and whitetail can be found in most areas of the district, but are concentrated around private agricultural fields and brush covered creek beds. Although the majority of suitable hunting habitat is on private land, access can be very good for the friendly hunter willing to knock on some doors and ask permission.
This is not considered a trophy destination for deer or elk, but hunters willing to put in some time and effort harvest good quality animals every year. Quality whitetail bucks are taken every year along the Milk River, which has some large portions of public land in the northern part of the district.
Terrain
This district is comprised of classic northern prairie. Vast tracts of prairie grasses, rolling sage flats and agricultural fields broken up by winding creeks and riverbeds. Public and private roads wind their way throughout the district making access very good.
Roughly 3,061 square miles
20.1% public land
Elevations from 2,400-6,900 feet
Vegetation
With long cold snow covered winters and hot dry summers, the high quality vegetation in this area is centered around irrigated crop fields and grassy creek bottoms. Whitetail and mule deer tend to flock to lush alfalfa fields both early in the September archery season and late in the November rut rifle season as the does and fawns remain concentrated on high quality feed. Cottonwood filled river bottoms provide great cover for whitetail while pockets of spruce trees giving way to sage flats hold good populations of mule deer.
Access
Private landowners in this district for the most part provide good public access to hunters. For the public land hunter there are Wildlife Management Areas, BLM and state land tracts that can be good deer hunting for the patient hunter. Lost River and Rookery WMA’s provide great public hunting opportunity for mule deer and whitetail. Highway 232 runs along the east side of the Milk River all the way to the Canadian border and provides good access to public and private lands in that area. Highway 2 is the main road that stretches across the southern boundary of the district and provides access to many county roads heading north into the district.
Four-wheel drive vehicles highly recommended after October
Camping and Lodging
The town of Havre is a good central hub for lodging and supplies when hunting this area. In Havre you will find everything from hotels, gas stations, restaurants and sporting good stores.
Fresno Reservoir provides good camping areas along the Milk River
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