Unit 565 District 565 (Region 5)
Near-total public wilderness backcountry at the head of the Boulder River
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness — Region 5 (South-Central Montana) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
205
sq mi
Public land
99%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–11,200
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
District 565 is a small, high, nearly all-public unit in the Absaroka Range at the head of the Boulder River south of Big Timber and McLeod, tucked against the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Roughly 99% public land climbing from around 6,000 feet to over 11,000, it is remote, rugged mountain country reached by backpack or horseback and laced with high-lake trails. Deer and elk numbers aren't dense, but the draw is a true wilderness experience on National Forest with high-country mule deer, elk, mountain goat and the chance at other alpine game. This is Greater Yellowstone grizzly country — hunt accordingly.
Terrain
Steep, remote Absaroka mountain terrain rising from timbered Boulder River drainages through avalanche chutes and cirques to alpine basins, high lakes and rocky peaks.
Cover: Douglas-fir, lodgepole and Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir in the drainages; willow bottoms along creeks; alpine meadow, krummholz and rock above timberline.
Landmarks: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness · Boulder River · Absaroka Range · high alpine lakes · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Access
Almost entirely public National Forest and designated Wilderness, so private-land access is a non-issue — the challenge is the terrain, not permission. The Main Boulder Road (FS road) up from McLeod/Big Timber is the primary vehicle access to trailheads; from there it is foot or horseback into wilderness. Numerous high-lake trails provide good backcountry access. No motorized travel is allowed inside the wilderness.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, USFS wilderness (Absaroka-Beartooth), MT DNRC state trust
Access points: Main Boulder Road (FS) south from McLeod/Big Timber · Boulder River trailheads · West Boulder access · high-lake trail system · Custer Gallatin NF campgrounds
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk use the timbered drainages and high parks; concentrations aren't high, but wilderness bulls hold in remote pockets away from pressure.
- →Backpack or ride deep past the trailhead crowds
- →Glass high parks and timber edges at first light
- →Hunt north-slope timber and drainage heads
- →Locate herds early, then move in before weather closes the high country
Mule Deer
common opportunityHigh-country mule deer inhabit the alpine basins, benches and timber edges; remote terrain lets some bucks reach good age.
- →Glass alpine basins and open south slopes above timberline
- →Hunt the high country early before snow pushes deer down
- →Spot-and-stalk with the thermals in steep terrain
Mountain Goat
limited qualityMountain goats occupy the high cliffs and alpine terrain of the Absaroka peaks (limited-permit only).
- →Glass cliff bands, rock faces and alpine benches
- →Plan a physical, multi-day backcountry hunt
- →Judge billies carefully in the rocks
Moose
limited opportunityShiras moose use the willow bottoms and beaver-pond corridors along the Boulder River drainages (limited-permit only).
- →Still-hunt willow flats and creek bottoms at dawn and dusk
- →Check beaver ponds and wet meadows
- →Move slowly and glass the riparian edges
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear inhabit the timbered drainages and avalanche chutes; grizzlies are also present throughout this Greater Yellowstone wilderness — identify carefully.
- →Glass green-up avalanche chutes and berry slopes
- →Watch drainage-head meadows in the timber
- →Confirm species with certainty before any shot — grizzlies share this country
Pro tips
- →Access isn't the problem — 99% public; fitness, weather and logistics are. Come prepared for a real backcountry hunt
- →Get past the trailhead pressure via backpack or horseback for undisturbed elk and deer
- →Watch the forecast — an early snowstorm can strand you or close the high country overnight
- →Hunt high early in the season; be ready to drop with the game when storms hit
- →Carry bear spray and practice strict game-handling — this is Greater Yellowstone grizzly country
Watch out for
- !Greater Yellowstone grizzly country — carry bear spray, hang/store meat properly, and identify bears with certainty
- !Early and severe mountain snow can close access and movement with little warning
- !Remote, steep wilderness far from help — go self-sufficient with navigation, shelter and a plan
- !No motorized travel inside the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness — plan foot or stock access
Logistics
Big Timber is the nearest service town for lodging, fuel and supplies, with tiny McLeod up the Boulder and Livingston a larger hub to the west. Access is a long drive up the Main Boulder Road to trailheads, then backpack or stock into the wilderness. Plan a self-sufficient backcountry trip; there is no help deep in the mountains and weather turns fast.
Nearest towns: Big Timber, McLeod, Livingston
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: Montana Hunt District 565 Unit Profile (GOHUNT) · MTFWP Region 5 (South-Central Montana) · Custer Gallatin National Forest (USFS) · Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters — Boulder River hunting area
FAQ
- How big is Unit 565 in Montana?
- Unit 565 (District 565 (Region 5)) covers about 205 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 11,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 565?
- Approximately 99% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, USFS wilderness (Absaroka-Beartooth), MT DNRC state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 565?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Moose, 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 565 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.