Unit 310 District 310 (Region 3)
High, wild Gallatin and Madison Range mountains on Yellowstone's doorstep.
Upper Gallatin — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
314
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–11,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
HD 310 is the Upper Gallatin, a rugged block of Gallatin and Madison county mountains south of Bozeman along the US-191 corridor toward West Yellowstone. It is a marquee limited-permit elk district built on huge public acreage — Custer Gallatin National Forest, the Spanish Peaks/Monument Mountain unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, and state WMAs. This is genuine alpine country that borders Yellowstone National Park, holding elk, both deer species, and high-country trophy species. Wolves and grizzlies are established here.
Terrain
Steep, roadless mountains rising from the Gallatin River canyon to alpine peaks; Sage Peak and neighbors top 10,000 ft with knife-edge ridges and deep timbered creeks.
Cover: Douglas-fir and lodgepole timber on the slopes, spruce-fir in the high basins, whitebark pine and open alpine tundra above treeline, willow and sage in the valley bottoms.
Landmarks: Gallatin River / US-191 corridor · Spanish Peaks (Lee Metcalf Wilderness) · Sage Peak · Cabin Creek WMA · Porcupine / Buffalo Horn drainages · Yellowstone NP boundary
Access
Public-land dominant — roughly 200,000 accessible acres via national forest, wilderness, and WMAs, most reached off US Highway 191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Wilderness zones are foot/horse only; forest roads and trailheads serve the rest.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks Unit), MT FWP WMAs (Cabin Creek, Gallatin), private ranch, MT DNRC state trust
Access points: US-191 Gallatin Canyon trailheads · Buffalo Horn / Porcupine trailheads · Big Sky area forest roads · Cabin Creek WMA · Spanish Peaks trailheads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityA high-demand limited-permit elk unit; heavy rifle pressure keeps most bulls young, but the wild terrain and Yellowstone genetics let some reach trophy age.
- →Draw the permit, then hunt hard in the roadless backcountry away from trailheads
- →Glass alpine basins and timber edges at first and last light
- →Push into wilderness on foot or horseback to escape crowds
- →Watch migration into the district as high-country snow builds
Mule Deer
common qualityBucks summer high in the alpine and drift to mid-elevation timber and sage in fall; classic glass-and-stalk country.
- →Glass alpine basins and rock rims early season
- →Follow bucks down as snow pushes them off the peaks
- →Hunt timbered benches on north slopes midday
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetails hold in the Gallatin River bottom and lower brushy draws.
- →Still-hunt riparian willow and cottonwood bottoms
- →Watch field-edge and river-corridor movement at dawn and dusk
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use willow bottoms and spruce-fir riparian pockets; a coveted once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Glass willow flats along creeks morning and evening
- →Check beaver ponds and boggy spruce edges
Mountain Goat
limited trophyGoats inhabit the high crags of the Spanish Peaks and Gallatin crest; premium limited draw.
- →Glass cliff bands and alpine ledges from a distance
- →Plan multi-day backcountry access to reach goat terrain
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyBighorns occupy rugged escape terrain in the range; a marquee limited-entry tag.
- →Locate rams on high grassy benches near cliffs
- →Expect long, steep stalks in exposed country
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work avalanche chutes and berry slopes; grizzlies are also established throughout this Yellowstone-adjacent country.
- →Glass green avalanche paths and berry fields in spring and fall
- →Identify color and shoulder hump carefully — grizzlies are protected and present
Cougar
common opportunityHealthy lion numbers follow the deer and elk herds through the timber.
- →Hunt with hounds on fresh snow after storms
- →Check drainages holding wintering deer
Pro tips
- →This is a limited-permit elk district — plan your application strategy years ahead
- →Get well off US-191 and the popular trailheads to find undisturbed animals
- →Carry and know how to use bear spray; assume grizzlies on every hunt here
- →Time the general season to catch snow-driven migration into the lower canyon
- →Contact the Region 3 wildlife biologist for current herd and access specifics
Watch out for
- !Occupied grizzly country bordering Yellowstone — food storage and bear spray are mandatory
- !Wolves and grizzlies have reduced elk in places; densities vary by drainage
- !Wilderness zones are non-motorized — know the boundaries before you hunt
- !Fast, severe alpine weather; hypothermia and whiteout risk
- !Steep roadless terrain makes meat retrieval a major undertaking
Logistics
Base out of Big Sky or Bozeman with full services; US-191 is the spine of the district and stays plowed, but side roads and trailheads can drift shut. Backcountry hunts demand serious fitness, deep-country gear, and often horses to pack meat out.
Nearest towns: Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, Bozeman, West Yellowstone
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Deer/Elk HD 310 Map · Eastmans' Forum — Montana Elk HD 310 info · HuntScore — Elk Hunting in Montana's HD 310 (Upper Gallatin) · GOHUNT — Montana Hunt District 310 Unit Profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 310 in Montana?
- Unit 310 (District 310 (Region 3)) covers about 314 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 310?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks Unit), MT FWP WMAs (Cabin Creek, Gallatin), private ranch, MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 310?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Moose, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, 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 310 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.