Unit 323 District 323 (Region 3)
Sprawling general-tag elk country in the Snowcrest, Gravelly and upper Ruby high country
Snowcrest & Gravelly Ranges — Region 3 (Southwest Montana) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
2,065
sq mi
Public land
65%
approx.
Elevation
5,500–10,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
A large southwest-Montana district spanning the upper Ruby River drainage and the high, rolling parklands of the Snowcrest and Gravelly ranges, in Beaverhead and Madison counties. Elk numbers here are among the highest in the state, drawing heavy pressure from hunters on a general tag, while whitetails fill the valley bottoms and mule deer run comparatively thin. A mix of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, BLM, state trust, WMA and private ranch makes for good but crowded public access, with a few road-closed security pockets holding the older bulls.
Terrain
Upper Ruby valley bottoms near 5,500-6,500 ft climbing into broad, grassy alpine ridges and timbered basins of the Snowcrest and Gravelly ranges topping out above 10,000 ft.
Cover: Sagebrush-grassland and willow bottoms along the Ruby, aspen and Douglas-fir on mid-slopes, expansive high-elevation grass parks and whitebark/subalpine fir stands along the crests, with dark-timber pockets for elk security.
Landmarks: Snowcrest Range · Gravelly Range · Upper Ruby River · Robb-Ledford Wildlife Management Area · Blacktail Wildlife Management Area · Sunset Peak · Wall Creek area
Access
Much of the high country is public Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF and BLM, easily reached by road, and the Robb-Ledford and Blacktail WMAs add walk-in public ground managed for elk. Private ranches in the Ruby bottom control valley access; some enroll in Block Management for free walk-in. The Wall Creek, upper Elk River and west-half Snowcrest area closures restrict motorized access to preserve elk security.
Managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, MT FWP Wildlife Management Areas (Robb-Ledford, Blacktail), private ranch + Block Management
Access points: Upper Ruby River Road · Robb-Ledford / Blacktail WMA access roads · Gravelly Range Road (high-country loop) · Forest Service roads off the Ruby into the Snowcrest · Approaches from Alder and Sheridan
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe marquee species — elk densities here rank among Montana's highest and the general-tag opportunity and road access make it hugely popular, though hunter congestion is real.
- →Get into the road-closed Wall Creek, upper Elk River and Snowcrest security pockets where mature bulls hide from pressure
- →Hunt the high grassy parks and dark-timber edges at dawn
- →Escape the crowds by backpacking away from the Gravelly Range Road
- →Use the September archery rut before rifle pressure scatters herds
Whitetail Deer
common qualityWhitetails are found in great numbers in the Ruby River bottoms and ag edges at the lower end of the district.
- →Hunt cottonwood and willow bottoms along the upper Ruby at first and last light
- →Work field-timber edges during the November rut
- →Secure Block Management or ranch access for the best bottomland bucks
Mule Deer
limited opportunityMule deer are present but numbers run low; they favor the higher open slopes, sage benches and mountain basins.
- →Glass high open ridges and rockslides mid-morning
- →Hunt the alpine parks and timber edges of the Snowcrest and Gravelly
- →Watch high saddles during the late-October to November rut
Pronghorn
limited opportunityPronghorn use the open sage flats at the lower, drier edges of the district; densities are modest after recent drought and hard winters.
- →Glass wide sage basins in the lower Ruby country
- →Focus on BLM and state sage ground
- →Expect low numbers and long stalks
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the timbered basins and aspen draws of the Snowcrest and Gravelly; spring green-up and fall berry crops concentrate them.
- →Glass aspen pockets, avalanche paths and green draws in spring
- →Hunt berry-heavy slopes and burns in early fall
- →Check the wetter north-facing basins
Cougar
common opportunityAbundant deer and elk support a healthy mountain lion population through the timbered ranges; a winter tracking pursuit.
- →Cut fresh tracks on FS roads after a snow
- →Focus on deer- and elk-wintering slopes off the Ruby
- →Most success comes with hounds and a good tracking snow
Pro tips
- →This is one of Montana's best general-tag elk districts — but plan for crowds and hunt the road-closed security areas for mature bulls.
- →Backpack away from the Gravelly Range Road to leave the pressure behind.
- →Time an archery hunt to the September bugle in the high grass parks.
- →Use the Robb-Ledford and Blacktail WMAs as reliable public elk ground.
- →Watch the weather — an early snowstorm on the crest can strand you or shut the high roads overnight.
Watch out for
- !Heavy hunter congestion on general-tag elk ground can make for a frustrating, competitive hunt.
- !The Ruby valley bottom is private — use verified Block Management or get permission; do not assume access.
- !Grizzly bears are expanding into the Gravelly and Snowcrest from the Greater Yellowstone — carry bear spray and treat this as grizzly country.
- !High-country and gravel roads turn to gumbo when wet and close early with snow; the interior is remote with no services.
Logistics
There are essentially no services inside the district — stock up in Sheridan, Twin Bridges or Ennis, or Dillon for full services. Expect long gravel drives on the upper Ruby and Gravelly Range roads; high routes are primitive, remote and drop snow early. Carry recovery gear and extra fuel.
Nearest towns: Sheridan, Alder, Twin Bridges, Dillon, Ennis, Virginia City
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Deer/Elk Hunting District 323 legal description & map · FWP Region 3 Hunting Forecasts (Sheridan/Dillon area) — The Anaconda Leader · HuntScore — Montana HD 323 Wall Creek (Snowcrest/Gravelly EMU)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 323 in Montana?
- Unit 323 (District 323 (Region 3)) covers about 2,065 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,500 to 10,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 323?
- Approximately 65% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, MT FWP Wildlife Management Areas (Robb-Ledford, Blacktail), private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 323?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, 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 323 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.