Unit 329 District 329 (Region 3)
Public-land elk country on the Continental Divide southwest of Dillon — early-season bugles in high, timbered Beaverhead ground.
Horse Prairie / Beaverhead — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
791
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
5,800–10,200
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 329 is the Horse Prairie / Bannack unit, sprawling across the mountains southwest of Dillon from Clark Canyon Reservoir to the Montana–Idaho border at Lemhi Pass and the Bloody Dick–Big Hole divide. It is a big, mostly public block of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest — glacier-carved valleys, willow-lined creeks, and timbered ridges rising past 10,000 feet. Elk are the marquee draw, with both mule deer and whitetail present; it is a demanding, high-country hunt that rewards experienced backcountry hunters. Recent winters saw elk numbers swell here in part from animals wintering over from neighboring HD 331.
Terrain
Rugged, mostly timbered mountains cut by glacial valleys and willow-lined creek bottoms, with open alpine meadows and rock up high; most elk hunting sits in the 6,000–7,000 ft band.
Cover: Lodgepole and Douglas-fir timber on the slopes, sagebrush and grass parks in the valleys, willow along the creeks, and alpine meadow and scree near the divide.
Landmarks: Continental Divide / Lemhi Pass · Bloody Dick Creek · Bannack State Park (ghost town) · Clark Canyon Reservoir · Horse Prairie Creek · Tendoy Mountains
Access
Predominantly public — a mix of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, BLM, and state trust — with historic logging and mining roads reaching most drainages. Private ranches dominate the Horse Prairie and Bloody Dick valley bottoms; some are enrolled in FWP's Block Management program for free public hunting, and state trust (DNRC) parcels are open with a conservation license. Check current BMA maps before relying on private access.
Managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch (Horse Prairie valley) + Block Management
Access points: Highway 324 / Bannack Bench Road · Bloody Dick Creek Road · Lemhi Pass Road · Medicine Lodge–Big Sheep Creek roads · numerous Forest Service spurs off the valley
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe signature species — solid numbers spread through timbered basins and high parks, boosted some years by elk wintering in from HD 331; not a trophy district but consistent opportunity.
- →Hunt the September rut, which can start the first week and run a month, before deep snow pushes bulls out
- →Glass open alpine meadows and timber edges at first and last light
- →Work the 6,000–7,000 ft timber band where elk hold
- →Use old logging and mining roads to reach drainages, then hunt on foot
Mule Deer
common opportunityWidespread on the open sage benches, foothills, and high basins; solid general-season opportunity though not a trophy destination.
- →Glass sage benches and burn edges at dawn
- →Push high into rocky basins for mature bucks in early season
- →Watch the transition zones between timber and open park
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityHolds in the creek bottoms and irrigated valley ground of Horse Prairie, far outnumbered by mule deer.
- →Still-hunt willow and cottonwood creek bottoms
- →Hunt ag and private edges during the November rut with Block Management access
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear scatter through the timbered high country; an incidental spring/fall opportunity.
- →Glass green-up avalanche chutes and meadows in spring
- →Key on berry patches and moist north slopes in fall
Pro tips
- →Hunt elk early — the September rut is prime, and a big snow can empty the high basins before rifle season
- →This is experienced-hunter country; know the terrain and be ready to cover ground on foot far from roads
- →Learn the Block Management boundaries in the Horse Prairie bottoms before you count on private access
- →Numbers ride on winter severity and on how elk redistribute between 329 and 331 — check the current FWP forecast
- →Carry recovery gear and watch the weather; storms can trap vehicles on the higher spur roads
Watch out for
- !Private ranches control the Horse Prairie and Bloody Dick valley bottoms — know boundaries and use Block Management legally
- !Demanding high-elevation terrain; deep snow can arrive early and abruptly
- !Long distances to services and unreliable cell coverage — carry navigation and emergency comms
- !Wolves are present and can shift elk distribution and behavior
Logistics
Dillon is the full-service hub for fuel, groceries, and lodging; Grant and Jackson offer little more than a bar and limited services. This is remote, high country — cell coverage is spotty to none off the highways, so carry a paper map, GPS, and a satellite messenger. Early snow can close the higher passes and roads.
Nearest towns: Dillon, Grant, Jackson, Lima
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Montana Hunt District 329 Unit Profile · MTFWP Region 3 Hunting Forecasts (Anaconda Leader) · MTFWP 2026/2027 Legal Descriptions
FAQ
- How big is Unit 329 in Montana?
- Unit 329 (District 329 (Region 3)) covers about 791 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,800 to 10,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 329?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch (Horse Prairie valley) + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 329?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 329 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.