Unit 393 District 393 (Region 3)
Deer and elk on the east face of the Bridgers above Bozeman — great populations, tough private-land access.
Bridger Range East Slope / Shields Valley — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
618
sq mi
Public land
15%
approx.
Elevation
4,500–9,600
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 393 hangs on the east slope of the Bridger Mountains north of Bozeman, wrapping the Shields River foothills and the timbered high country toward Ross Pass and Sacagawea Peak. It holds strong numbers of both deer and elk on general tags, though it is not a trophy district — think opportunity and animal density over antler size. The country grades from irrigated creek bottoms and ag ground through sagebrush-and-grass foothills into steep conifer, and the killer variable is access: most low ground is private, so a good map, GPS, and Block Management legwork separate success from a scenic hike.
Terrain
River and creek bottoms and irrigated ag rise through grass-and-sage foothills into the steep, timbered east face of the Bridger Range topping out on rocky peaks near Sacagawea and the crest.
Cover: Cottonwood and willow bottoms, irrigated hay and grain, sagebrush-grassland foothills, then Douglas-fir and lodgepole timber with subalpine parks and rock up high.
Landmarks: Bridger Range · Sacagawea Peak · Ross Pass · Shields River · Bangtail Ridge · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Access
The public land is mostly Custer Gallatin National Forest along the mountain crest and upper timber, with scattered state trust (DNRC) sections and small BLM parcels; the productive foothill and bottom ground is overwhelmingly private ranch. FWP's Block Management program opens some private acreage to free public hunting here and is often the key to reaching huntable ground below the forest boundary — check the current Region 3 BMA rosters and maps. State trust sections are open with a conservation/recreation permit.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management, BLM (scattered)
Access points: Fairy Lake Road (FS 74) to the north Bridgers · Bridger Canyon Road corridor · Brackett Creek Road · Shields River Road / US 89 corridor from Wilsall and Clyde Park · Custer Gallatin NF trailheads on the east face
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityA genuine draw — solid general-tag elk numbers move between private foothill feed and the timbered mountain, though pressure and private ground push herds around.
- →Glass the sage-timber transition and foothill parks at first and last light
- →Hunt the forest boundary where elk retreat off private ground under pressure
- →Work Block Management and access agreements to reach the low country elk use
- →Get above them early and still-hunt timber pockets and benches
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer hold the foothills, sage draws, and open timber of the Bridger face; good density, but not a big-buck reputation.
- →Glass sage-and-grass foothill basins from a high vantage at dawn
- →Push into open timber and rock benches for rutting bucks in the late season
- →Cover ground on the DNRC and forest sections between private blocks
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail concentrate in the Shields River and creek bottoms and adjacent ag — classic valley whitetail ground, mostly on private land.
- →Still-hunt cottonwood bottoms and brushy creek edges during the November rut
- →Glass irrigated ag and field edges at dawn and dusk
- →Lean on Block Management parcels along the Shields for legal bottom access
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear range the timbered upper district and berry brush; a secondary fall opportunity in the higher country.
- →Glass green forest openings and avalanche brush in early fall
- →Key on berry patches and north-slope timber
- →Be certain of species — grizzlies are expanding into this range
Cougar
common qualityMountain lions follow the strong deer and elk herds through the Bridger timber; a winter tracking-and-hound pursuit.
- →Cut fresh tracks along ridgelines and roads after snow
- →Focus near deer and elk wintering ground on the east face
Pro tips
- →Access is the whole game — sort out Block Management and landowner permission on the foothill private ground before the season, not opening morning
- →Hunt the National Forest boundary and DNRC sections where pressured elk cross off private land into public timber
- →Glass the sage-to-timber transition at dawn; that band holds both mule deer and elk on the east face
- →Late-season snow is your friend for pushing high-country deer and elk down within reach
- →Carry a good land-status map and GPS — the private/public checkerboard is unforgiving here
Watch out for
- !Most low and mid-elevation ground is private ranch — verify boundaries and use Block Management legally
- !Grizzly bears are increasingly dispersing into the Bridger and Crazy Mountain country; carry bear spray and hunt alert
- !Steep, snow-prone forest roads on the east face can strand vehicles late in the season
- !This is a density district, not a trophy district — set expectations for animal numbers over antler size
- !Weather in the Bridgers turns fast; be ready for cold, wind, and early snow at elevation
Logistics
Bozeman and Belgrade have full services, fuel, and lodging minutes from the district; Wilsall and Clyde Park serve the Shields Valley side. Cell coverage is decent near the highways but drops in the mountain drainages. Forest roads on the east face gate and snow up seasonally — carry chains and recovery gear late in the year.
Nearest towns: Bozeman, Belgrade, Wilsall, Clyde Park, Livingston
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: Public Lands Interpretive Association — Montana D393 · GOHUNT Montana Unit 393 profile · MTFWP Region 3 hunting information · USDA Custer Gallatin National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit 393 in Montana?
- Unit 393 (District 393 (Region 3)) covers about 618 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,500 to 9,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 393?
- Approximately 15% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management, BLM (scattered). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 393?
- 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 393 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.