Unit 390 District 390 (Region 3)
The southern Big Belts above Townsend — over-goal elk locked on private ranchland, with alfalfa-fed mule deer and a public high country up top.
West Big Belt Mountains — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
340
sq mi
Public land
45%
approx.
Elevation
3,800–9,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 390 covers the western and southern face of the Big Belt Mountains east of Townsend and Canyon Ferry Reservoir, running up Confederate Gulch and Magpie Creek country and reaching the crest toward the Ringling and Sixteenmile Creek divide. Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest owns the timbered high country, but the productive winter and ag ground on the lower flanks is private ranch, where FWP surveys peg elk well above management goal. That is the district's defining tension: plenty of elk and locally strong mule deer, but the animals spend the hunting season on ground you have to earn access to — through Block Management or landowner permission. Note that antlerless mule deer B licenses are not valid on national forest land here.
Terrain
Sagebrush and ag benches along Canyon Ferry and the Missouri rise sharply east into the timbered Big Belt Mountains, cut by deep gulches like Confederate and Magpie draining to the reservoir.
Cover: Irrigated alfalfa and hay in the valley bottoms, sage and bunchgrass on the foothill benches, Douglas-fir and lodgepole on the mid slopes, and open grassy parks and subalpine timber on the high divides.
Landmarks: Canyon Ferry Reservoir · Confederate Gulch · Magpie Creek · Sixteenmile Creek · Big Belt Mountains crest · Duck Creek Pass
Access
The upper mountain is Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest and is fully open, reached by gulch roads climbing east off Canyon Ferry. The catch is that elk and the best mule deer sit on private ranchland at lower elevation during the season — chase access through FWP's Block Management enrolled ranches and direct landowner permission. Scattered BLM and DNRC state-trust parcels fill gaps; state trust is open with a conservation/recreation permit. Antlerless mule deer B licenses do not apply on national forest ground in this district.
Managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust, BLM
Access points: Confederate Gulch Road · Magpie Creek Road (FSR 425) · Duck Creek Pass Road (Townsend to White Sulphur) · Canyon Ferry east-shore access roads · US Highway 12 / Route 284 corridors · Block Management sign-in boxes on enrolled ranches
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityElk numbers run well above management goal, but the herds hold on private ranchland through the season and only push to the public forest under pressure or deep snow.
- →Line up Block Management or private permission before the season — that is where the elk are
- →Glass ag-and-foothill transition ground at dawn and dusk
- →On the national forest, hunt hard-to-reach timber pockets and high parks where pressured elk retreat
- →Key on water sources — this is dry country and elk pattern to it
- →Hunt the late rifle season for weather-driven movement toward winter range
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer are locally strong, especially near irrigated alfalfa on the private flanks; the high Big Belts hold scattered bucks in the open parks and timber edges.
- →Glass alfalfa edges and foothill coulees at first and last light
- →Climb into high-country parks and rims for mature bucks during the rut
- →Remember antlerless muley B tags are void on national forest here
- →Still-hunt broken timber-and-sage transition ground
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail hold the Missouri and Canyon Ferry bottoms, creek corridors, and irrigated valley cover on the west edge of the district.
- →Hunt creek-bottom and reservoir-edge cover morning and evening
- →Work brushy draws and field margins during the November rut
- →Focus permission efforts on ranches with water and hay ground
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the timbered gulches and berry brush of the Big Belts; a legitimate spring and fall opportunity on the national forest.
- →Glass green-up avalanche chutes and gulch heads in spring
- →Work berry brush and north-slope timber in fall
- →Hunt the forested upper elevations away from ranch ground
Cougar
common opportunityLions follow the deer and elk through the Big Belt timber and gulches — a winter snow-tracking pursuit.
- →Cut gulch and ridge roads for fresh tracks after snow
- →Follow deer and elk wintering concentrations on the lower slopes
Pro tips
- →Secure Block Management or landowner permission before the season — the elk live on private ground
- →Focus public-land effort on the least-accessible high timber and parks where pressured animals hide
- →Hunt water sources in this dry country, especially early season
- →Glass alfalfa-and-foothill edges at dawn for both elk and mule deer
- →Carry current ownership layers on GPS — the public/private mosaic on the flanks is unforgiving
Watch out for
- !Elk and top mule deer ground is largely private — trespass is easy without careful mapping
- !Antlerless mule deer B licenses are not valid on national forest land in this district
- !Grizzly bears are dispersing into the Big Belts and near Helena — carry spray and stay bear-aware in the timber
- !Dry gulch and foothill roads turn greasy and impassable when wet or snowy
- !High Big Belt divides get early snow, wind, and cold — come prepared
Logistics
Townsend sits at the district's west edge with fuel, groceries, and lodging, and Helena is a short drive north for full services. Canyon Ferry's recreation areas offer camping and boat access along the west boundary. A truck reaches the gulch roads into the forest; higher spur roads get rough and can require care. Sort out private-land access before you arrive — it is the single biggest factor in a successful hunt here.
Nearest towns: Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Ringling, Winston, Helena
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MT FWP 2024-2025 Deer/Elk Legal Descriptions (HD 390 West Big Belt Mountains) · FWP Region 3 Hunting Forecasts — Anaconda Leader · MT FWP Hunt Planner
FAQ
- How big is Unit 390 in Montana?
- Unit 390 (District 390 (Region 3)) covers about 340 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,800 to 9,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 390?
- Approximately 45% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 390?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, 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 390 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.