#4 on this list
Hunting District 310
Southwest Montana, USA
Located primarily within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area and surrounding national forest lands, HD 310 offers a true backcountry elk hunting experience. This unit boasts high elevations, alpine basins, and vast timbered slopes, with elk often found above tree line during the early season. Nearest towns like Cooke City or Red Lodge provide basic services, but most access points require significant travel. Access into the wilderness is often by horseback or via long hikes from designated trailheads. Archery hunters often find success bugling in September. Rifle season, especially later in the year, can be brutal with extreme cold and heavy snow. This unit is not for the faint of heart; hunters must be proficient in wilderness navigation, self-sufficient, and capable of handling severe weather. Grizzly bears are common. The reward can be a truly mature bull, often less pressured than those in more accessible units. Expect to pack in and out on foot or with stock, meaning a good pack frame and strong legs are essential.
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#5 on this list
Hunting District 390
Southwest Montana, USA
Bordering Yellowstone National Park, HD 390 is known for its migratory elk herds and vast public land in the Gallatin National Forest. This unit is characterized by rugged mountains, deep canyons, and expansive forests. Gardiner, at the north entrance to Yellowstone, is the primary access point and nearest town. Early archery season can be good for resident elk, while the late rifle season, often extending into December, can be exceptional as elk migrate out of Yellowstone. This late season hunting can be brutally cold and requires specialized gear and knowledge of elk movement patterns. Hunter pressure can be high, particularly during peak migration periods and around park boundaries. Be prepared for deep snow, icy conditions, and unpredictable elk movements. Grizzly bears are abundant. Success often depends on understanding the specific migration routes and being in the right place at the right time. The terrain is steep and often unforgiving, demanding excellent physical condition.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Hunting District 310 | Hunting District 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southwest Montana, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness | Southwest Montana, USA |
| Key Species | Elk (bulls) | — |
| Terrain | High alpine, timbered slopes, rugged mountains | Rugged mountains, deep canyons |
| Access | Long hikes, horseback; limited road access | — |
| Nearest Towns | Cooke City, Red Lodge | — |
| Seasonality | Archery (Sept), Rifle (Oct-Nov) | — |
| Primary Access | — | Gardiner, MT |
| Public Land | — | Gallatin National Forest |
| Key Feature | — | Yellowstone Elk Migration |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Hunting District 310
- Opportunity for truly mature, unpressured bulls
- Deep wilderness experience, solitude
- Stunning high-alpine scenery, rugged beauty
- High reward potential for the prepared hunter
- Test of self-reliance and backcountry skills
- Extreme physical demands, not for beginners
- High grizzly bear density, constant vigilance required
- Severe and unpredictable weather, especially late season
- Difficult access, long pack-ins
- Low success rates for unprepared hunters
Hunting District 390
- High potential for trophy bull elk during migration
- Vast public land access bordering Yellowstone
- Exceptional late-season hunting opportunities
- Opportunity to experience a true wilderness hunt
- Brutally cold weather and deep snow in late season
- Extremely rugged and physically demanding terrain
- High hunter pressure, especially near park boundaries
- Abundant grizzly bear population; constant vigilance required
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