Unit 391 District 391 (Region 3)
The Canyon Ferry face of the Big Belts — over-goal elk on private ground, a public WMA on the reservoir, and heavy Helena pressure.
West Big Belt Mountains / Canyon Ferry — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
473
sq mi
Public land
50%
approx.
Elevation
3,800–8,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 391 covers the west and central face of the Big Belt Mountains along the east shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, running from north of Townsend up to the Beartooth WMA and Gates of the Mountains Wilderness boundary, and east across the crest to the Dry Creek and Greyson Creek country. Elk numbers here sit well above management goal, but like neighboring 390 the herds spend the season on private ranchland, so access is everything. The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area and Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest give the district a genuine public-land base, and mule deer are locally good near irrigated alfalfa. Sitting minutes from Helena, 391 draws heavy hunting pressure, especially during rifle season. Antlerless mule deer B licenses are not valid on national forest land here.
Terrain
The east shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir and its ag benches climb east into the timbered Big Belt Mountains, cut by drainages running down to the reservoir and the Missouri.
Cover: Irrigated alfalfa and hay in the bottoms, sage and grass on the reservoir benches, Douglas-fir and lodgepole on the mid slopes, and open high parks and subalpine timber toward the crest and the wilderness boundary.
Landmarks: Canyon Ferry Reservoir · Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area · Confederate Gulch · Beartooth WMA boundary · Gates of the Mountains Wilderness edge · Big Belt Mountains crest
Access
The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area on the reservoir and the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest higher up give solid public access, but the elk and best mule deer hold on private ranchland during the season — pursue Block Management enrolled ranches and direct landowner permission. Scattered BLM and DNRC state-trust parcels help; state trust is open with a conservation/recreation permit. Antlerless mule deer B licenses do not apply on national forest ground here. Expect heavy competition close to the reservoir and roads.
Managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, private ranch + Block Management, FWP Canyon Ferry WMA, MT DNRC state trust, BLM
Access points: Canyon Ferry east-shore road and WMA access · Confederate Gulch Road · Magpie Creek Road (FSR 425) · Beaver Creek Road (FSR 138) · Dry Creek Road / Ridge Road (east side) · US Highway 12-287 north of Townsend · Block Management sign-in boxes on enrolled ranches
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityElk run well above management goal, but hold on private ranchland during the season; mature bulls exist but are not abundant under the heavy local pressure.
- →Secure Block Management or landowner permission before the season — the elk are on private ground
- →Glass ag-and-foothill edges at first and last light
- →On public forest, push into hard-to-reach timber and high parks where pressured elk retreat
- →Key on water in this dry country
- →Hunt late-season weather events for movement toward winter range
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer are locally good, especially near irrigated alfalfa on the private flanks, with scattered bucks in the high Big Belt parks and rims.
- →Glass alfalfa edges and reservoir-bench coulees at dawn and dusk
- →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 sage-and-timber transition ground
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail hold the Canyon Ferry shoreline cover, creek bottoms, and irrigated valley ground along the district's west edge.
- →Hunt reservoir-edge and creek-bottom cover morning and evening
- →Work brushy draws and field margins during the November rut
- →Target ranches with water and hay for permission
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the timbered Big Belt drainages and berry brush on the national forest above the reservoir.
- →Glass green-up chutes and drainage heads in spring
- →Work berry brush and north-slope timber in fall
- →Hunt the forested upper elevations away from private ground
Cougar
common opportunityLions track the abundant deer and elk through the Big Belt timber and gulches — a winter snow-tracking hunt.
- →Cut gulch and ridge roads for fresh tracks after snow
- →Follow wintering deer and elk on the lower slopes
Pro tips
- →Nail down Block Management or landowner permission early — the elk live on private land
- →Beat the Helena crowd by hunting weekdays and walking well beyond the first ridge
- →Use the Canyon Ferry WMA and high forest for public-land deer and late elk
- →Hunt water sources in this dry district, especially early
- →Carry current ownership layers — the public/private checkerboard near the reservoir is tricky
Watch out for
- !Elk and best mule deer ground is largely private — map ownership carefully to avoid trespass
- !Antlerless mule deer B licenses are not valid on national forest land in this district
- !Very heavy local hunting pressure out of Helena, especially rifle season
- !Grizzly bears are dispersing into the Big Belts and near Helena — carry spray and stay bear-aware in the timber
- !Foothill and gulch roads turn greasy when wet; high divides get early snow and cold
Logistics
Helena is minutes from the district's north end with full services, lodging, and fuel, and Townsend anchors the south. Canyon Ferry's recreation areas provide camping and boat access all along the west boundary. A truck reaches the WMA and gulch roads into the forest; higher spurs get rough. Because Helena is so close, plan on company near the roads and reservoir — and lock down private-land access ahead of time.
Nearest towns: Helena, Townsend, East Helena, Winston, Canyon Ferry
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 391 Dry Creek-Avalanche) · FWP Region 3 Hunting Forecasts — Anaconda Leader · MT FWP Deer/Elk HD 391 Map
FAQ
- How big is Unit 391 in Montana?
- Unit 391 (District 391 (Region 3)) covers about 473 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,800 to 8,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 391?
- Approximately 50% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, private ranch + Block Management, FWP Canyon Ferry WMA, MT DNRC state trust, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 391?
- 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 391 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.