Quick Tips
- Listening or calling into remote canyons can be a great way to locate packs
- Locating packs can be easier during periods of heavy snow
- Four wheelers and snowmobiles can excellent for late season use
- High quality optics can be extremely beneficial
On The Ground
This district is found in southwestern Montana along the Idaho border. This area has a healthy distribution of both private and public lands and hunters will have plenty of opportunity. Most of the low lying and primarily open lowlands are private while most of the timbered high country is public. Plenty of opportunity and a wide array of terrain types will provide a great adventure for every type of hunter. This area is very conducive to glassing; high power optics can save a lot of driving and walking.
A good population of wolves can be found here but constant deer and elk hunting pressure will keep packs on the move. Glassing will be the most effective option for locating wolves.
Terrain
This area consists of rough and broken sage country, with several island mountain ranges consisting of heavily forested slopes and steep elevation gains. Traversing the lower lying country can be done fairly easy, but keep in mind that cross country travel can be much harder than initially anticipated. In the isolated island of the mountains, the terrain will change drastically as huge ridges covered in timber rise sharply off the valley floor and climb into jagged rock peaks. These timbered areas are heavily broken, with open parks of sage and native grasses which will provide hours of glassing opportunities.
Roughly 4,900 square miles
57% public land
Elevations range from 4,200 - 9,400 feet
Vegetation
As with the terrain, hunters will also find a wide variety of vegetation. The river bottoms along the Jefferson and Madison Rivers will be filled with willow, cottonwood, and grasses. The open prairie lands will consist almost entirely of sage, rock, and juniper. These areas can be surprisingly broken in terrain, and cross country travel can be much harder than originally expected. The mountainous areas will contain large stands of ponderosa pine, white pine, red fir, lodgepole, and occasional patches of subalpine fir in the highest elevations. Ground cover is fairly light throughout the district and glassing opportunities are abundant.
Access
The mountainous islands are primarily public land, with some of the southern end even being designated as roadless. Most of the open country found in the lower elevations will be private, though there are many small sections of public. Land ownership software and maps can be hugely beneficial here. With the abundance of terrain features, hunters of any physical ability can find hunting opportunities. There are quite a few areas for hunters looking for more of a backcountry experience and the opportunity to escape pressure.
Camping and Lodging
There are lodging options in a few of the towns within the district, like Ennis and Twin Bridges, with the most options being found in Dillon. Primitive camping is permitted on public lands for up to 14 days. Basic sporting good and grocery needs can be met in most of the small towns around the district, but specialty needs will likely need to be met prior to the hunt
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5