Unit 202 District 202 (Region 2)
Big roadless Lolo NF timber south of the Clark Fork around Superior, running to the Idaho line.
South Superior — Region 2 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
960
sq mi
Public land
78%
approx.
Elevation
2,600–7,600
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
HD 202 (South Superior) sits on the south and west side of the Clark Fork River in Mineral and Missoula counties, wrapping from Superior south along Petty Creek Road to US-12, west over the country between Bear Creek and Telephone Butte, and up the Montana–Idaho border from Lolo Pass to Lookout Pass. It is a deep, heavily timbered Lolo National Forest district — one of the more public-land-rich units in Region 2 — offering whitetail bottoms along the Clark Fork and Trout Creek plus genuine backcountry elk, bear and lion in the high border timber.
Terrain
Steep, densely forested mountains climbing from the Clark Fork valley near Superior up to the high Montana–Idaho Bitterroot divide. Long timbered ridges and drainages with limited open ground.
Cover: Heavy mixed conifer — larch, Douglas-fir, lodgepole, cedar and hemlock in wet drainages — with ponderosa and grass on south faces, riparian brush along the Clark Fork and Trout Creek, and huckleberry-rich old burns and cuts.
Landmarks: Clark Fork River · Superior · St. Regis · Trout Creek · Quartz Creek · Telephone Butte · Bear Creek · Lolo Pass · Lookout Pass · Montana–Idaho Bitterroot divide
Access
Predominantly Lolo National Forest with an extensive USFS road and trail network, so public access is excellent — better than the more valley-pinched districts to the east. Private ground is concentrated in the Clark Fork bottom near Superior and St. Regis and along the I-90 frontage; Block Management (FWP Region 1–2) may open some of it — check current BMA maps. Scattered MT DNRC state trust parcels are open to hunting with the state land use license.
Managers: USFS Lolo National Forest, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management
Access points: I-90 exits (Superior, St. Regis, Lookout Pass) · US Highway 12 (Lolo Pass corridor) · Petty Creek Road / County Rd 489 · Trout Creek Road (USFS) · USFS Road 17806 / Trail 1220 · West Fork Butte Rd (FS 37) and Elk Meadows Rd (FS 451)
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
abundant qualityWhitetails dominate the Clark Fork and Trout Creek bottoms, riparian brush and lower timbered draws.
- →Hunt river-bottom and creek-mouth brush at first and last light
- →Time the mid-November rut for cruising mature bucks on the valley edges
- →Glass logged benches and burns on the lower slopes
- →Use Block Management or permission for the private Clark Fork floor
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk are the marquee backcountry species in the deep border timber. Densities are moderate but the large roadless blocks let a fit hunter escape pressure.
- →Pack into roadless timber toward the Idaho divide for undisturbed bulls
- →Still-hunt north-slope dark timber and old burns
- →Follow early snow that pushes elk to mid-elevation
- →September archery high on the border ridges before rifle crowds
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer hold on the higher, more open ridges and south faces above the whitetail zone in modest numbers.
- →Glass open high slopes and rocky ridgelines along the divide
- →Hunt the November rut when bucks drop to mid-elevation
- →Stay high on the open faces to separate them from whitetails
Black Bear
common qualityStrong black bear country — wet drainages, avalanche chutes and abundant fall berries make South Superior a top Region 2 bruin unit.
- →Spring: glass south-facing avalanche chutes and green-up on old burns
- →Fall: hunt huckleberry and mountain-ash draws
- →Watch grassy logging landings at dawn and dusk
Cougar
common qualityHealthy lion numbers on the resident deer herds; a productive winter tracking district.
- →Cut fresh tracks on snowy USFS roads after storms
- →Hunt lower-elevation deer wintering areas
- →Partner with a licensed hound outfitter if you don't run dogs
Moose
limited opportunityA low-density, permit-limited moose presence in wet willow bottoms and higher timber.
- →Check willow creek bottoms and beaver ponds
- →Glass wet meadow edges at dawn
Pro tips
- →This is one of the more public-land-heavy Region 2 units — use the roadless Idaho-border timber to get away from crowds.
- →Whitetails winter on the private Clark Fork bottoms near Superior/St. Regis; arrange Block Management or permission early.
- →Time the November rut on the valley margins for mature whitetails.
- →Follow the first hard snow to concentrate elk and open lion tracking.
- →Check MT DNRC state-trust parcels — they add legal public acreage but require the state land use license.
Watch out for
- !GRIZZLY COUNTRY: the lower Clark Fork/St. Regis area lies within the Cabinet-Yaak–NCDE grizzly connectivity zone with expanding grizzly presence. Carry bear spray, be sure of your target, and handle meat and gutpiles carefully.
- !Private and rural-residential ground pinches the Clark Fork bottoms — do not assume valley access without permission.
- !High USFS roads close and drift shut with snow; carry chains, traction and recovery gear.
- !Deep, steep timber and short daylight — plan the pack-out and exit before dark.
Logistics
I-90 and US-12 frame the district; Superior and St. Regis provide fuel, lodging and basics, with full services in Missoula. An extensive USFS road/trail web reaches most drainages but gates seasonally and drifts shut with snow. Carry chains and recovery gear, and expect long timbered pack-outs from the high border country.
Nearest towns: Superior, St. Regis, Missoula, Lolo
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 202 South Superior) · MTFWP Deer & Elk Hunting Districts (2026–2027) GIS · MTFWP Block Management — Western Montana (Regions 1 & 2)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 202 in Montana?
- Unit 202 (District 202 (Region 2)) covers about 960 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,600 to 7,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 202?
- Approximately 78% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Lolo National Forest, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 202?
- 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 202 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.