Unit 200 District 200 (Region 2)
Timbered Clark Fork corridor from Lolo to Lookout Pass — whitetail bottoms under big Lolo NF elk country.
Middle Clark Fork — Region 2 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
238
sq mi
Public land
70%
approx.
Elevation
2,500–7,300
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
HD 200 (Middle Clark Fork) follows the Clark Fork River and I-90 corridor across Mineral and western Missoula counties, from Lolo west along US Highway 12 to Lolo Pass, up the Montana–Idaho border over Lookout Pass, and along the C-C Divide (Mineral–Sanders county line). It is classic western Montana whitetail-and-elk country: dense conifer mountains draining to a narrow river valley, almost entirely on the Lolo National Forest with private and tribal land pinching the bottoms. Whitetail deer own the river bottoms and lower draws while elk, mule deer, black bear and lion work the timbered ridges above.
Terrain
Steep, heavily timbered mountains rising off a narrow Clark Fork River valley. The Bitterroot/Idaho divide and the C-C (Coeur d'Alene–Cabinet) Divide form the high western and northern rims; the Clark Fork threads the low center along I-90.
Cover: Dense Douglas-fir, larch, lodgepole and cedar on north slopes, ponderosa pine and grass on south faces, brushy riparian cottonwood and alder along the river and side creeks. Old burns and logging cuts create huckleberry and shrub forage.
Landmarks: Clark Fork River · Lolo Pass · Lookout Pass · C-C Divide (Mineral–Sanders line) · Combest Peak · Cascade Campground · Ninemile–Siegel Creek Divide · Flathead Indian Reservation boundary near Evaro
Access
Overwhelmingly Lolo National Forest, so public access is strong once you leave the valley floor. The bottleneck is the private and reservation land along the Clark Fork bottoms and I-90 frontage — much of the low, snow-free winter range is private. Block Management (FWP Region 1–2) opens some valley private acreage; check the current BMA maps. The CSKT Flathead Reservation edge near Evaro is tribal land and closed to non-tribal hunting.
Managers: USFS Lolo National Forest, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust, tribal (CSKT Flathead Reservation — separate, not FWP)
Access points: Interstate 90 exits (Lolo Pass Rd, Fish Creek, Tarkio, Superior, St. Regis, Lookout Pass) · US Highway 12 over Lolo Pass · USFS Road 7592 (Miller Creek Loop) · USFS Road 97 to Ninemile–Siegel Divide · USFS Trail 242 / Cascade Campground river crossing · Big Flat Road (County Rd 30)
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
abundant qualityThe bread-and-butter species — whitetails saturate the Clark Fork bottoms, side-creek riparian, and ag/pasture edges in the valley.
- →Hunt river-bottom cottonwood and brushy creek mouths at first and last light
- →Rut in mid-November pulls mature bucks into the open along field edges
- →Glass logging cuts and old burns on lower slopes where deer feed
- →Secure written permission or use Block Management for the private valley bottoms
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityMarquee species of the Lolo NF — elk hold in the timbered high country and move to lower north slopes with snow. Densities are moderate and hunter effort is high in this accessible corridor.
- →Get back off the road system into roadless timber pockets to find undisturbed bulls
- →Still-hunt north-slope dark timber and old burns during the rut
- →Follow early snow that pushes elk down toward the C-C Divide benches
- →Archery in September on the high divides before pressure builds
Mule Deer
common opportunityMuleys occupy the higher, more open slopes and ridgelines above the whitetail zone, in smaller numbers than whitetails.
- →Glass high open faces and rocky ridges on the Idaho-border divide
- →Hunt the rut in November when bucks drop to mid-elevation
- →Separate them from whitetails by working the open south-facing benches up high
Black Bear
common qualityStrong black bear numbers — this is prime northwest Montana bruin country with heavy spring green-up and fall huckleberry/berry crops.
- →Spring: glass south-facing avalanche chutes and old burns for feeding bears on green-up
- →Fall: hunt huckleberry fields and mountain-ash draws
- →Watch grassy logging landings and roadside cuts at dawn and dusk
Cougar
common qualityHealthy lion population riding the deer herds; a winter-snow houndsman's district.
- →Cut fresh tracks on snow-covered USFS roads after a storm
- →Focus on deer wintering areas in the lower drainages
- →Team with a licensed hound outfitter if you don't run dogs
Moose
limited opportunityA few moose use the wetter willow bottoms and higher timber; a permit-limited, low-density opportunity.
- →Check willow-choked creek bottoms and beaver ponds
- →Glass wet meadow edges at dawn
Pro tips
- →The public land is here — the animals winter on the private bottoms. Line up Block Management or landowner permission early for the valley floor.
- →Hunt away from the interstate: effort near I-90 exits is intense, so put in the miles to reach roadless timber.
- →November rut on the Clark Fork bottoms is your best mature-whitetail window.
- →Follow the first real snow — it concentrates elk and deer and opens lion tracking.
- →Respect the Flathead Reservation boundary near Evaro; it is CSKT tribal land, not open to non-tribal hunters.
Watch out for
- !GRIZZLY COUNTRY: the lower/middle Clark Fork and Ninemile are within the Cabinet-Yaak–NCDE grizzly connectivity zone; grizzlies are increasingly documented here. Carry bear spray, be certain of your target, and handle game meat/gutpiles carefully.
- !Much of the low winter range is private or reservation land — do not assume valley-bottom access without permission.
- !USFS roads on the high divides get snowbound and slick fast; carry chains, traction and recovery gear.
- !Steep timbered terrain and short daylight — plan pack-outs and know your exit before dark.
Logistics
Interstate 90 and US-12 make this one of the most road-accessible districts in western Montana. Fuel, lodging and supplies at Superior, St. Regis and Missoula. USFS roads climb every drainage but can be gated seasonally or washed out; carry chains and recovery gear once snow flies.
Nearest towns: Superior, St. Regis, Alberton, Lolo, Missoula
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP 2026/2027 Deer/Elk/Antelope Legal Descriptions (HD 200 Middle Clark Fork) · MTFWP Deer & Elk Hunting Districts (2026–2027) GIS · MTFWP Block Management — Western Montana (Regions 1 & 2)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 200 in Montana?
- Unit 200 (District 200 (Region 2)) covers about 238 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,500 to 7,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 200?
- Approximately 70% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Lolo National Forest, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust, tribal (CSKT Flathead Reservation — separate, not FWP). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 200?
- Whitetail Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Cougar, Moose. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 200 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.