Quick Tips
- You need to be in excellent condition to hike 2,000 to 3,000 vertical feet daily and at high elevations
- Bring good optics and good quality clothing that can withstand the elements of the high country. A backpack and several game bags will ensure you can retrieve your trophy
- Hunt with a buddy and always pack bear spray as you are in grizzly country. Bring a GPS and a SPOT or equivalent in case of an emergency
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 165"-170" | 175"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is the Hyalite area and it is directly south of Bozeman. It is basically all on the Gallatin National Forest. It is a rugged mountainous area with high peaks, and it runs down the top of the Gallatin divide.
This unit has a small sheep population. Historically this unit was an unlimited area with a harvest quota; it has been a limited draw unit now for a number of years. This unit has been closed since 2015. There is also a goat population in this unit and hunting occurs within the same time frame. Mature rams in this unit typically are in the 160” category.
Terrain
This unit is typical of the forested mountains of central Montana. The valleys are forested and as you gain elevation leaving the forest behind it gets into subalpine basins of meadows scattered timber and rocky ridges. Above this is the alpine area of no trees and rocky outcroppings, talus slopes and boulder fields leading you up to the rocky peaks. There are subalpine basins at the head of every drainage.
Elevations from 6,000-10,000 feet
Vegetation
From the stream bottoms to mid slope it is heavily timbered with spruce, fir and pine conifers. The next elevation is covered with subalpine grasses and scattered stunted subalpine conifers this area is intermixed with boulder fields and rocky spines. From here you are into the steep talus slopes leading up to the rocky peaks, only alpine forbs, moss and lichens are found in this zone.
Access
The primary access is south of Bozeman to Hyalite road, follow this past Hyalite Reservoir to the trailhead. From here it is backpack or horseback into an adventure of a lifetime. There are several other trailheads that will also get you into the unit, such as Spire Rock, Big Creek and Lewis Creek.
ATVs are not allowed in most of this unit
Hiking will be strenuous, it is all very steep terrain with numerous talus slopes
Hyalite Reservoir road, Highway 191, and Highway 87 South to Big Creek road
Camping and Lodging
You need to bring all of your camping gear and camp in the backcountry. There are numerous places to camp throughout this unit. It is possible to camp at the trailhead and day hunt this unit if you are in excellent condition or have horses.
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