- Region
- Montana
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking, wildlife viewing, camping
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Montana hunters need a Conservation Licens…
- Managed by
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Plan with verified data
Hunting District 400 trip tools
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- The 10 EssentialsDay on trail: carry the ten essentials.
- Water Purification MatrixRefilling on trail: compare treatment options.
- Layering CalculatorCool temps: build a layer stack for the climb and the summit.
How to get there
Hunting District 400 (HD 400) is located in northcentral Montana. Access to specific Block Management Areas (BMAs) within HD 400 includes directions from Conrad to the D. KRONEBUSCH & SON BMA #206 and from Great Falls to the GOLDEN SPUR BMA #3. Additionally, the M&V FARM AND RANCH BMA #121 in HD 400 can be reached from Chester.
- D. KRONEBUSCH & SON BMA #206
From Conrad, go north on I-15 to Valier Exit 348 (8.6 miles), then east on Valier Hwy 44 (0.4 miles), and south on Old Shelby Rd. for 1.0 mile to the BMA.
- M&V FARM AND RANCH BMA #121
From Chester, go south on Highway 223 for 18.3 miles.
- GOLDEN SPUR BMA #3
From Great Falls, go north on I-15 (take Exit 345) for 63.3 miles, then east on Ledger Rd/HWY 366 for 5.2 miles, and finally north at Ledger, MT on Westridge Rd. for approximately 1.0 mile to the BMA.
Sources: fwp.mt.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Montana · United States · Season: Fall hunting seasons
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Backpacking
Overview
HD 400, in the John Long Mountains west of Missoula, offers extensive public land in the Lolo National Forest. This unit features a mix of timber, old burns, and some open ridges. Access is generally good via forest service roads from areas like Clinton or Drummond. Elk populations are healthy, and the unit often provides good opportunities for hunters willing to explore. The terrain is varied, with some steep climbs but also more moderate areas. Pressure can be high near roads, so plan to hike. Finding fresh sign and patiently working timbered areas is key. General elk tag. Fees for licenses and stamps.
Planning notes
Where: Montana, United States Best season: Fall hunting seasons Good for: Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Camping Featured on: Top 10 Public Land Elk Units in Montana: High-Percentage Districts (#7) Access point: Montana, USA
Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Hunting District 400, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 46.8797, -110.3626
- Latitude (DMS)
- 46° 52′ 46.9″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 110° 21′ 45.2″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Hunting District 400, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
HD 400, in the John Long Mountains west of Missoula, offers extensive public land in the Lolo National Forest.
Key takeaways
- Region: Montana
- Country: United States
- Best season: Fall hunting seasons
- Good for: hiking, wildlife viewing, camping
- Coordinates: 46.880, -110.363
Intended uses
- hiking
- wildlife viewing
- camping
Climate suitability
Fall hunting seasons
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Hunting District 400
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Animals around Hunting District 400
Planning a Hunt in District 400
Treat Hunting District 400 as a district-specific planning task, not as a ready-made route description. Before choosing a starting point, confirm the district boundary, the regulations for the species being pursued, and lawful access with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Statewide license requirements are only one part of that preparation; they do not establish where a hunter may enter or which district-specific opportunities apply. Keep access planning separate from license purchases, and verify both before committing to an itinerary. No particular road, trailhead, walking route, or driving time is identified here. A useful next step is to obtain current district information from FWP, then build the trip around verified access rather than assuming a hunting district designation provides public entry.
Statewide License Requirements
Montana requires a Conservation License as a prerequisite for resident and nonresident hunting licenses. The listed cost is $8 for residents, $4 for resident youth ages 12–17, $4 for residents age 62 or older, and $10 for nonresidents. An annual base hunting license fee is assessed when a hunter first purchases or applies for a hunting license, including upland and migratory bird licenses. That fee is $10 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. Both the Conservation License and base hunting license are available over the counter. Hunters also need the carcass tag and/or license for the species they intend to hunt. These statewide charges are not a complete district-specific trip cost; confirm the applicable species requirements with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Education and Archery Preparation
Resolve education requirements before purchasing or applying for licenses. Anyone born after January 1, 1985, must provide proof of successfully completing hunter education issued by Montana, another state, or a Canadian province, unless hunting through the applicable apprenticeship pathway. Montana's Apprentice Hunter program allows anyone age 10 or older to hunt for up to two years without completing hunter education, subject to restrictions and accompaniment by a certified Mentor. Archery hunters need a bow and arrow license, alongside proper hunting licenses, during an archery-only season or in an archery-only area or district. That license costs $10 for residents and nonresidents. To purchase it, hunters must complete an accepted bowhunter education course or show a prior year's bowhunting license from a state or province.
Sample itineraries
- Hunting District 400 planning day · 1 day
Use this as a preparation day, not a field route. Confirm Hunting District 400 boundaries, lawful access, species rules and current season dates with Montana FWP before choosing a hunting location.
- Two-day preparation and scouting framework · 2 days
Spend the first day checking licenses, education credentials and district access with Montana FWP. Use the second for scouting only after confirming lawful entry and local conditions. No specific access point or scouting route is established here.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP.
Spring access and field conditions are not established here. Do not assume a hunting season is open; verify species rules before planning a hunt.
Summer
Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP.
Summer access and field conditions are not established here. Confirm lawful access before scheduling scouting or other field travel.
Fall
Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP.
Fall hunting dates and district conditions are not established here. Check species, license and weapon requirements rather than assuming a general fall opening.
Winter
Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP.
Winter access and field conditions are not established here. Confirm local travel conditions and any applicable hunting season before departure.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP. | Spring access and field conditions are not established here. Do not assume a hunting season is open; verify species rules before planning a hunt. |
| Summer | Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP. | Summer access and field conditions are not established here. Confirm lawful access before scheduling scouting or other field travel. |
| Fall | Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP. | Fall hunting dates and district conditions are not established here. Check species, license and weapon requirements rather than assuming a general fall opening. |
| Winter | Confirm district-specific timing with Montana FWP. | Winter access and field conditions are not established here. Confirm local travel conditions and any applicable hunting season before departure. |
Permits, fees & closures
Montana hunters need a Conservation License, the annual base hunting license fee, and a carcass tag and/or species license. Additional archery and education requirements apply. Confirm Hunting District 400 species rules and license requirements with Montana FWP.
Fees: Conservation License: residents $8; resident youth 12–17 and seniors 62+ $4; nonresidents $10. Annual base hunting fee: residents $10; nonresidents $50. Bow and arrow license: $10 for residents and nonresidents. These are not a complete species-specific hunting cost.
Official source: Base Hunting Fees | Montana FWP · Verified September 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- District-specific terrain hazards are not established here; obtain local safety information before selecting a route.
- District-specific weather and travel hazards are not established here; check current conditions before field travel.
- District-specific wildlife hazards are not established here; seek local guidance rather than assuming which animals occur.
What to pack for Hunting District 400
- Conservation License
- Applicable hunting license and/or carcass tag
- Required hunter education or apprenticeship credentials
- Bow and arrow license
- Bowhunter education documentation or qualifying prior bowhunting license
Hunting District 400 FAQ
- Where can hunters enter Hunting District 400?
- No district access point or route is established here. Confirm district boundaries and lawful entry with Montana FWP before choosing a starting point.
- Which species can be hunted, and when?
- District-specific species and season dates are not established here. Confirm current Hunting District 400 regulations with Montana FWP; statewide base requirements do not establish a legal hunting opportunity.
- When is the base hunting license fee assessed?
- The annual fee is assessed when purchasing or applying for the first hunting license, including upland and migratory bird licenses.
- Who needs hunter education?
- Anyone born after January 1, 1985, must provide proof of completed hunter education to purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license. The Apprentice Hunter program allows eligible people age 10 or older to hunt with a certified Mentor, subject to restrictions.
- What additional requirements apply to archery hunters?
- A bow and arrow license and proper hunting licenses are required during archery-only seasons or in archery-only areas or districts. To purchase the bow license, complete an accepted bowhunter education course or show a prior year's bowhunting license from any state or province.
- Are the statewide base licenses available over the counter?
- The Conservation License, base hunting license fee and bow and arrow license are listed as over-the-counter. This does not establish availability of any district-specific species license or permit.