Unit 212 District 212 (Region 2)
Above-objective elk on the moisture-fed west slope of the Flint Creek Range
Flint Creek Range / Rock Creek — Region 2 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
133
sq mi
Public land
59%
approx.
Elevation
4,500–9,300
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 212 sits in the Flint Creek Range and John Long country of western Montana between Philipsburg and the Rock Creek drainage. It is a strong Region 2 elk district — the Rock Creek/Flint Creek herd runs well above the FWP population objective — with mixed timber, high open ridges, and productive west-facing slopes that catch the moisture and hold the animals. Both mule deer on the high country and whitetail in the creek bottoms are common, and it is largely a general-tag, road-and-hike public-land hunt on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
Terrain
West-tilted flank of the Flint Creek Range dropping into the Flint Creek and upper Rock Creek drainages; timbered mid-slopes, brushy gulches, and open alpine ridges up top.
Cover: Douglas-fir and lodgepole timber on the slopes, mixed conifer with grassy parks and burns, sagebrush-grass benches lower down, willow and riparian brush along the creek bottoms.
Landmarks: Flint Creek Range · John Long Mountains · Rock Creek · Flint Creek · Philipsburg
Access
Majority public with a large Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF block on the range, plus BLM parcels and state trust; lower valley ground near Philipsburg and along Flint Creek is private ranch, much of it opened to free public hunting through FWP Block Management Areas. Check the annual BMA map and boundaries carefully before crossing.
Managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management
Access points: Rock Creek Road corridor · Flint Creek / Philipsburg approaches · Forest Service roads and trailheads off the range · Block Management Area sign-in boxes
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityPart of the Rock Creek/Flint Creek herd, which is running above FWP objective — good numbers with a real shot at a mature bull.
- →Hunt the wetter west-facing slopes and timbered benches that hold better feed
- →Glass high open ridges and burns at first light, then still-hunt the dark timber
- →Push higher early season, then intercept elk dropping to lower parks once snow and cold arrive
Mule Deer
common opportunityBucks hold on the high open ridges and rocky basins of the Flint Creek Range; regional mule deer numbers are down from historic highs but buck harvest has stayed stable.
- →Glass alpine ridgelines and rockslides morning and evening
- →Focus the rut window on high does
- →Hike beyond the road-hunted first ridge for older bucks
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail concentrate in the Flint Creek and Rock Creek bottoms and adjacent ag/riparian edges.
- →Hunt creek-bottom brush and field edges at dawn and dusk
- →Use Block Management ground for access to private bottomland
- →Rattle and grunt during the November rut
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears are common on the timbered slopes and berry patches through fall.
- →Glass avalanche chutes, burns, and berry-heavy south slopes
- →Hunt near carcasses and gut piles late season
- →Check color-phase bears feeding in open parks at last light
Cougar
common opportunityHealthy lion population following the deer and elk; primarily a winter tracking-snow pursuit.
- →Cut fresh tracks on forest roads after snow
- →Work drainages where deer winter
- →Most success comes with hounds and fresh snow
Pro tips
- →Prioritize the moisture-fed west-facing slopes — that is where the feed and the animals concentrate
- →Pull the current Block Management map to legally reach private bottomland whitetail and elk
- →Get past the first road-accessed ridge; older bulls and bucks live in the country that takes a hike
- →Time your trip to the first real cold snap to catch elk shifting to lower ground
- →Load GPS boundaries — the public/private checkerboard on the lower end is easy to bust
Watch out for
- !Lower valley ground is private ranch — verify Block Management enrollment and boundaries before crossing
- !Grizzly presence is expanding into the Flint Creek/John Long country from the NCDE; carry bear spray and handle game meat carefully
- !Fast-moving snow and high winds at elevation; be prepared to get weathered in
- !Steep, remote timber — pack GPS, extra fuel, and provisions
Logistics
Base out of Philipsburg or Drummond; Missoula is the nearest full-service hub roughly 1.5 hours away for gear, fuel, and lodging. Carry extra fuel, food, and water — services on the range are minimal.
Nearest towns: Philipsburg, Drummond, Deer Lodge, Missoula
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP 2025 Elk Count (Rock Creek/Flint Creek EMU) · GoHunt Montana Unit 212 Profile · MTFWP Destination: Western Montana (Region 2)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 212 in Montana?
- Unit 212 (District 212 (Region 2)) covers about 133 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,500 to 9,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 212?
- Approximately 59% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 212?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 212 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.