Unit 316 District 316 (Region 3)
The Main Boulder canyon climbing into wilderness peaks — backcountry elk, high-country goats, and a private-ranch valley floor.
Boulder River / Absaroka-Beartooth — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
467
sq mi
Public land
55%
approx.
Elevation
4,700–11,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
District 316 follows the Boulder River (Main and West Boulder drainages) south from the Big Timber/McLeod country up into the rugged northern wall of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The valley bottom is a string of private ranches and river-bottom hay ground, while the walls climb fast into steep, timbered Custer Gallatin National Forest and open alpine peaks. This is a trophy mountain-hunting district: rocky_elk hold in the backcountry timber and parks, mountain_goat and bighorn_sheep occupy the high rock, and both deer species use the lower breaks. It sits inside Greater Yellowstone grizzly country, so bear awareness is mandatory.
Terrain
A deep river canyon rising from irrigated valley bottom through steep conifer walls to alpine cirques and rocky peaks along the Absaroka-Beartooth crest.
Cover: Cottonwood and willow river bottoms give way to Douglas-fir and lodgepole slopes, subalpine fir and whitebark pine higher up, and open alpine tundra, talus, and cliff at the peaks.
Landmarks: Boulder River · West Boulder River · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness · Custer Gallatin National Forest · Main Boulder Road (FS 212) · McLeod
Access
The upper canyon and wilderness are National Forest with excellent public access off the Main Boulder Road, but the valley floor and lower side-drainages are heavily private ranch — the productive winter and transition ground. Several ranches enroll in FWP's Block Management program for free public hunting; check current BMA maps. State trust (DNRC) parcels are open with a conservation/recreation permit. Much of the best elk and goat country is a foot- or horseback-access wilderness push.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust
Access points: Main Boulder Road (FS 212) south from Big Timber through McLeod · West Boulder Road and West Boulder trailhead · Box Canyon and Fourmile Creek trailheads · numerous wilderness trailheads at the head of the Boulder
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe marquee species — elk hold in the backcountry timber, high parks, and wilderness benches, with mature bulls available for hunters willing to get deep on foot or horseback.
- →Push past the road end into wilderness timber and alpine parks
- →Glass high basins and burns at first and last light
- →Work the private/public boundary and Block Management ground during the fall transition
- →Plan for a horseback or heavy-pack backcountry hunt to reach undisturbed bulls
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer use the open breaks, timbered ridges, and high basins; the best bucks live high early and drop with weather.
- →Glass open south-facing slopes and rock rims at dawn
- →Hunt the alpine edges early season
- →Follow deer down to lower breaks as snow pushes them off the peaks
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail concentrate in the Boulder River bottoms, willow flats, and ranch ag edges — largely private ground.
- →Still-hunt cottonwood river bottoms during the November rut
- →Focus on Block Management and public river access
- →Watch field edges at first and last light
Mountain Goat
common trophyOne of Montana's better mountain_goat districts, handing out relatively more tags — goats live on the high rock and cliff bands of the Absaroka-Beartooth crest.
- →Glass cliff bands and alpine ledges from below
- →Plan a physical, high-country stalk once you locate a billy
- →Scout access and camps well before a coveted limited-permit hunt
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA prized limited-permit bighorn opportunity in the high canyon country and wilderness rock.
- →Glass steep grassy faces and rock rims
- →Hunt the alpine and canyon breaks
- →Expect a once-in-a-lifetime coveted tag and scout hard
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose scatter through willow bottoms and wet subalpine drainages; a limited-permit species.
- →Hunt willow flats and beaver-pond complexes
- →Glass wet meadows and drainage heads at dawn and dusk
Black Bear
common qualityBlack bear work the berry brush, avalanche chutes, and green-up slopes — but grizzlies share every acre of this ground.
- →Glass green avalanche chutes and openings in spring
- →Key on berry brush in fall
- →Be absolutely certain of species before shooting — grizzlies are present
Cougar
common qualitySolid lion numbers track the deer and elk herds; a winter snow-and-hound pursuit.
- →Cut roads, ridges, and river bottoms for fresh tracks after snow
- →Follow deer wintering areas
Pro tips
- →This is a get-deep district — the road-accessible bottoms are mostly private, so the elk reward hunters who hike or ride into the wilderness
- →Mountain goat and bighorn are the standout draws; apply and scout access years ahead of a coveted tag
- →Use Block Management and public river access to legally hunt the whitetail bottoms
- →Plan a horse or heavy-pack trip for the upper Boulder — it is long, steep country with no shortcuts
- →Carry bear spray and hunt alert; you are in occupied grizzly range every day
Watch out for
- !Occupied Greater Yellowstone grizzly country — carry bear spray, hunt alert, store meat and camp cleanly, and be certain of your bear before shooting
- !Valley floor and lower drainages are heavily private ranch; know boundaries and use Block Management legally
- !Deep wilderness terrain with long access, early snow, and avalanche exposure in the high country
- !The Main Boulder is a single dead-end road corridor — plan fuel, camp, and pack logistics accordingly
- !Steep, physical hunting; goat and sheep tags demand serious fitness and route scouting
Logistics
Base out of Big Timber for fuel, groceries, and lodging, or camp along the Main Boulder Road. The canyon is a long dead-end drive with no services past McLeod, and cell coverage vanishes quickly — carry a paper map, GPS, and a satellite messenger. Wilderness hunts warrant horses or a serious pack plan.
Nearest towns: Big Timber, McLeod, Livingston
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Deer/Elk Hunting Districts (2026-2027) · MTFWP 2026-2027 Legal Descriptions (Deer/Elk/Sheep/Goat) · GoHunt Montana Unit Profiles (mountain goat districts) · USFS Custer Gallatin National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit 316 in Montana?
- Unit 316 (District 316 (Region 3)) covers about 467 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,700 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 316?
- Approximately 55% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 316?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, 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 316 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.