Unit 301 District 301 (Region 3)
Steep public backcountry south of Bozeman with a migratory Yellowstone elk herd
Gallatin Range — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
329
sq mi
Public land
87%
approx.
Elevation
5,050–10,300
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
HD 301 covers the rugged northern Gallatin Range south of Bozeman, bordered on the west by the Gallatin River. It is high, steep, heavily public land — roughly 87% national forest — climbing from valley floors near 5,000 feet to peaks over 10,000 feet. The southern end of the district leans on a migratory elk herd that moves out of Yellowstone National Park during the season, while resident elk, mule deer, and valley-fringe whitetails round out the mix. This is Greater Yellowstone grizzly country and a physically demanding hunt.
Terrain
Very steep, rugged mountains with high timbered ridges, deep drainages, and open alpine peaks rising from the Gallatin River valley.
Cover: Douglas-fir and lodgepole on mid-slopes, spruce-fir and whitebark near timberline, open alpine parks and rock above, with willow and cottonwood along the Gallatin and its tributaries.
Landmarks: Gallatin Range · Gallatin River · Hyalite Peak · Hyalite Reservoir · Storm Castle Peak · Hyalite Canyon · Gallatin Canyon
Access
Overwhelmingly public national forest, with private land concentrated on the valley floor and lower benches. Trailheads off Hyalite Canyon, the Gallatin Canyon (Highway 191), and the west side give strong public entry into the high country; expect to climb hard and fast off the roads. Adjacent HD 309 around Bozeman-area development is weapons-restricted, so know exactly which district and rules you are in near the valley edges.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, private ranch (valley floor), MT DNRC state trust
Access points: Hyalite Canyon Road / Hyalite Reservoir trailheads · Highway 191 (Gallatin Canyon) pullouts and trailheads · Storm Castle / Squaw Creek area · Portal Creek and Buck Creek trailheads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe marquee species — the southern district holds a migratory herd that pours out of Yellowstone with weather, plus resident elk in the high timbered basins; the herd has been building since 2020.
- →Backpack or climb well off the trailheads into high basins
- →Hunt the September rut with bugles in timbered benches
- →Position for the late-season migration as snow pushes Park elk north and down
- →Glass burn edges and alpine parks at first and last light
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer range from the valley floor to the highest peaks at generally low density, but the rugged high country produces the occasional quality buck.
- →Glass alpine basins and timberline ridges early season
- →Hunt the highest ground before snow pushes bucks down
- →Spot-and-stalk open parks and scree slopes
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetails hold on the private valley land and lower elevations bordering private ground along the Gallatin.
- →Hunt the river-bottom brush and ag edges at the district's lower fringe
- →Secure private permission for the best valley-floor cover
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears use green-up meadows and fall berry and old-burn slopes — but grizzlies are established here, so positive bear identification is critical.
- →Glass avalanche chutes and berry fields in the evening
- →Identify every bear before shooting — grizzlies share this range
- →Focus on green-up benches early and burns in the fall
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use willow bottoms and beaver complexes along the Gallatin drainages — a coveted limited-draw tag.
- →Hunt willow flats and riparian meadows at dawn and dusk
- →Work beaver-pond complexes in the lower creek bottoms
Pro tips
- →This is a get-off-the-road hunt — pressure fades fast a mile or two past the popular Hyalite and Gallatin Canyon trailheads
- →Time the late season to weather — the Yellowstone migration is snow-driven and can be feast or famine
- →Bring the best optics you can for glassing steep timberline and alpine parks
- →Carry bear spray and run a clean camp — this is Greater Yellowstone grizzly country
- →Confirm your exact district and weapon rules near the valley edge; neighboring HD 309 is weapons-restricted
Watch out for
- !Greater Yellowstone grizzly country — carry bear spray, store food properly, and identify bears before shooting
- !Very steep, rugged terrain and deep late-season snow demand fitness and caution
- !Weapons-restricted HD 309 abuts the Bozeman valley edge — know which district you are in
- !Limited cell coverage in the canyons and backcountry
Logistics
Bozeman is minutes from the north end for complete services and lodging, with Highway 191 running the Gallatin Canyon toward Big Sky. Hyalite Canyon Road accesses the popular reservoir and trailhead network. Cell coverage fades quickly in the canyons and backcountry, and interior hunting means serious climbing.
Nearest towns: Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, Big Sky, Four Corners
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Region 3 Deer & Elk Season-Setting Justifications (HD 301) · GoHunt — Montana Big Game Unit 301 Profile · MTFWP Region 3 Elk Management Plan (HDs 301 & 309)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 301 in Montana?
- Unit 301 (District 301 (Region 3)) covers about 329 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,050 to 10,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 301?
- Approximately 87% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, private ranch (valley floor), MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 301?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Moose. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 301 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.