Unit 392 District 392 (Region 3)
Rugged public-land Big Belts around Gates of the Mountains and Mann Gulch — permit-only mule deer bucks, a wilderness elk challenge, and grizzly country.
Gates of the Mountains / North Big Belts — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
251
sq mi
Public land
70%
approx.
Elevation
3,600–8,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
District 392 wraps the northern Big Belt Mountains along the Missouri River between Canyon Ferry and the Gates of the Mountains, taking in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area, and the storied Meriwether Canyon and Mann Gulch country. Unlike the private-locked districts to the south, 392 is largely public — Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest, designated wilderness, and an FWP WMA — making it a foot-and-horseback hunt in steep, timbered terrain. Elk are present but winter counts run below management goal, and this is a tougher, lower-density hunt than 390 or 391. Antlered mule deer are limited-permit only here, protecting a quality buck resource in the high country. Grizzly bears use this ground, so hunt bear-aware.
Terrain
The Missouri River and Canyon Ferry shoreline give way to the steep, timbered north Big Belt Mountains, sliced by dramatic limestone canyons like Meriwether and Mann Gulch climbing to high divides and wilderness parks.
Cover: Riparian and grassy benches along the Missouri, Douglas-fir and ponderosa on the lower canyon slopes, lodgepole and fir in the mid mountains, and open high parks, rock, and subalpine timber toward the crest.
Landmarks: Gates of the Mountains Wilderness · Missouri River · Meriwether Canyon · Mann Gulch · Beartooth Wildlife Management Area · Canyon Ferry Reservoir · Sleeping Giant
Access
This is a predominantly public district — national forest, the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, and the FWP Beartooth WMA anchor it, so access is far better than the private-locked units to the south. The tradeoff is rugged, roadless terrain: much of the best ground is a foot or horseback hunt, and the wilderness is non-motorized. Some lower parcels are private with Block Management or permission options. State trust is open with a conservation/recreation permit. Antlered mule deer are limited-permit only in this district.
Managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, FWP Beartooth WMA, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust
Access points: York Road to Trout Creek and Beartooth WMA · Beaver Creek Road (FSR 138) · Avalanche Creek Road (FSR 359) · Gates of the Mountains boat/wilderness access off the Missouri · Canyon Ferry east-shore roads · Helena-Lewis & Clark NF trailheads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk use the district but winter counts run below management goal; more elk are believed present during the season than surveys show, and the wilderness holds mature bulls for those willing to work.
- →Hunt deep — get past roads into wilderness and roadless timber where bulls hold
- →Locate elk in high parks and timber pockets early, then still-hunt in
- →Use horseback to cover the rugged country and pack out
- →Key on water and secluded benches away from pressure
- →Hunt the rut in the backcountry for bugling bulls
Mule Deer
common trophyAntlered mule deer are limited-permit only here, which protects buck age structure — a quality high-country hunt for the drawn hunter.
- →Glass high rims, parks, and rockslides at dawn and dusk for mature bucks
- →Hunt the wilderness and roadless high country where bucks find security
- →Time the rut for the biggest bucks to move
- →Be ready for a steep, backcountry pack-out
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetail hold the Missouri River and Canyon Ferry bottoms and lower riparian cover at the district's edges.
- →Hunt river-bottom and reservoir-edge cover morning and evening
- →Work lower brushy draws during the November rut
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears are common in the timbered north Big Belts; hunters report mostly black bears with occasional big ones — but grizzlies also use this ground, so identify your target carefully.
- →Glass green-up avalanche chutes and canyon slopes in spring
- →Work berry brush and north-slope timber in fall
- →Be certain of species identification — grizzlies are present
Cougar
common opportunityLions follow the deer and elk through the rugged Big Belt canyons and timber — a winter snow-tracking pursuit.
- →Cut canyon and ridge roads for fresh tracks after snow
- →Follow wintering deer along the lower canyon slopes and river breaks
Pro tips
- →This is a public-land, foot-and-horseback hunt — fitness and backcountry skills matter more than access permission here
- →Draw the limited mule deer permit and hunt the high wilderness rims for a genuine trophy buck
- →Get deep past the roads for elk — the animals use the roadless and wilderness security cover
- →Use the Gates of the Mountains boat access to reach otherwise remote river-side country
- →Plan your pack-out before you shoot — this is steep, non-motorized terrain
Watch out for
- !Grizzly bears use this district — carry bear spray, be certain of bear identification, and store food properly
- !Rugged, roadless, and wilderness terrain — non-motorized, physically demanding, and unforgiving in bad weather
- !Elk densities run below goal — success takes effort and time in the backcountry
- !Antlered mule deer are limited-permit only — know the rules before you hunt bucks
- !Early snow, cold, and wind on the high divides can turn a backcountry hunt serious fast
Logistics
Helena is the natural base, roughly a half hour to the York and Beartooth WMA access on the district's northwest side, with full services. Gates of the Mountains offers boat access off the Missouri, and Canyon Ferry recreation areas provide camping to the south. Beyond the trailheads this is a foot-and-horseback hunt in steep, roadless terrain — plan for backcountry logistics, a way to pack out an animal, and no vehicle access in the wilderness.
Nearest towns: Helena, York, East Helena, Townsend, Wolf Creek
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 392 Avalanche-Gates of the Mountains) · FWP Region 3 Hunting Forecasts — Anaconda Leader · MT FWP Hunt Planner
FAQ
- How big is Unit 392 in Montana?
- Unit 392 (District 392 (Region 3)) covers about 251 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,600 to 8,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 392?
- Approximately 70% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Helena-Lewis & Clark NF, Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, FWP Beartooth WMA, private ranch + Block Management, MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 392?
- 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 392 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.