Quick Tips
- Quality optics recommended
- District can be physically demanding
- Rain and snow can make the rocky slopes very difficult to navigate
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 160"-165" | 170"+ |
On The Ground
This district, located southwest of Darby, consists of thousands of acres of Bitterroot National Forest along with portions of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
A limited number of tags ensure that hunters who draw will be able to have an opportunity to hunt unpressured rams. If you draw a tag make the most of your hunt.
Terrain
The Bitterroots are tough mountains with rocky cliffs, alpine lakes and basins, steep drainages all leading to the West Fork of the Bitterroot River. Painted Rocks Reservoir is the largest body of water in the area. Clear cut areas can be found across most of the portion south of the West Fork.
Roughly 555 square miles
97% public land
Elevations from 3,931-9,586 feet
Vegetation
The mountains have dense stands of spruce, Douglas fir, ponderosa pines and lodgepole pine mixed with open meadows covered with an array of wildflowers, moss and lichens. The foothills and river valleys have aspen, cottonwood, willows and mountain shrubs.
Access
U.S. Highway 93 and Montana Route 473 (West Fork Road) connect with a good Forest Service road and trail system. There are also a significant number of old logging roads heading into vast public lands on the Bitterroot National Forest and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. During late October and the whole month of November snow can make travel extremely difficult. Four wheel-drive and chains are recommended.
Camping and Lodging
Painted Rocks State Park provides improved campsites. The communities of Darby and Conner offer limited lodging, cafes and gas or diesel. Missoula is some 60 miles to the north along U.S. Highway 93 and has a regional airport that services the surrounding area. Missoula has many options of lodging, restaurants and cafés, shopping, a large regional medical facility and 24/7 fuel options.
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