Hunt District 325

Along the Continental Divide the highest elevations are bare talus slopes with vegetation limited to lichens. Alpine basins, ridges and peaks have carpets of wildflowers, clusters of dwarf subspecies of Engelmann spruce called "krummholz" and moss and lichen. Below timberline slopes are forested with spruce, fir, aspen, whitebark pine, and subalpine larch. Foothills have stands of pinyon/juniper, ponderosa, open short grass south facing slopes and large areas of sagebrush and mountain slopes. Open range consists of buffalo and blue grama grasses, sagebrush, bitterbrush and rabbitbrush. Hay meadows and center pivot irrigated crops are found in the river valleys with river and creeks lined with cottonwoods and willows along their banks.

Anaconda Pintler Wilderness includes some 45 miles of Continental Divide National Scenic Trail which provides excellent access into the remote wilderness from a number of established trailheads. A good system of Forest Service roads and pack trails allow good routes through the National Forest. Check with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for specific restrictions for travel within Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Areas. West of the Big Hole River from North Fork Road to Montana Route 569 is made up of private ranches. Use of a four wheel drive vehicle and chains when hunt mid-October through November.

Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forests, BLM, Block and Wildlife Management Areas offer developed and dispersed camping opportunities. Forest-wide stay limits inforce: Camping in an area, campsite, or developed campground is limited to 16 accumulated days within any 30 day period. Wise River has limited lodging and restaurants. Large communities close by include Anaconda and Butte. They offer a variety of hotels, motels and bed and breakfast lodging, many different choices of cafe and restaurants, regional medical facilities and 24/7 gas and diesel.