Located in northwest Montana near the Idaho border, just south of Libby, this hunting district showcases steep terrain and challenging ground cover, along with a significant portion of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. Hunters can expect to see a healthy population of deer, although the average age of harvested animals tends to be relatively low. While some mature bucks inhabit the area, locating them can be quite challenging due to the rugged landscape. Although encounters with grizzly bears are rare, they can occur in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, so it's important to take necessary precautions.
Hunt District 122 covers most of the Thompson River drainage in western Montana. Hunters can pursue deer throughout the seasons using a general license.
This distinctive unit is situated in the west-central part of the state and is designated exclusively for archery use. It provides a traditional tree stand experience for whitetail hunting in some stunning river bottom terrain.
This hunting district is located in west-central Montana, just east of Missoula. Due to its proximity to a large city, it experiences a high volume of hunters. The terrain can be challenging to navigate, but numerous logging and mining roads facilitate access. Hunters can pursue whitetail with a general tag. However, the average age of animals in this district tends to be low, which limits the potential for trophy-quality specimens.
Located in the picturesque Gallatin Valley, this unit boasts the Gallatin River as its western border. The terrain of the unit offers fantastic hunting opportunities, with breathtaking views. Deer hunting can be done with a general license. In particular, unit 301 is home to a large population of whitetail deer, which can primarily be found in the northern part of the district where agricultural land provides excellent habitat for these animals.
Deer hunting can be done with a general tag in Unit 304. This district encompasses parts of the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area. Whitetails tend to favor creeks and river bottoms on private lands. The Madison and Gallatin Rivers also both have numerous creeks that flow into them, providing ideal home ranges for mature bucks.
This general unit is referred to as the Gallatin Valley Weapons Restriction Area and includes the suburban areas around Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, and Belgrade. Legal weapons for hunting in this district include archery equipment, shotguns, muzzleloaders, traditional handguns, and crossbows, which can be used at any time during the general season. The district is home to a large number of whitetail deer, which are primarily concentrated along riverbottoms.
Being a general whitetail unit located just North of Bozeman makes this unit extremely convenient for folks flying in to Bozeman or even driving along I-90. However with that convenience, comes increased pressure at the limited access points of the Bridger Range. Private land or accessing public land through rivate land can be a big help here. Expect diverse terrain with some steep slopes and timber once you're out of the valley. You'll find the the majority of the whitetail population in agricultural fields and river bottoms west of the Bridger Mountains.
This unit is found in the stunning Paradise Valley, with the Yellowstone River marking its eastern boundary. It offers excellent backcountry hunting opportunities alongside breathtaking scenery. Hunters can pursue deer throughout the seasons using a general license.
This general whitetail unit covers the west slope of the Crazy Mountains and many hunters find success in the area every year. Since about 80% of this unit is private land with intermittent agriculture, whitetail deer can be found in much of the area. These deer naturally seek out areas with dense cover and nearby access to food and water. When scouting for a mature buck, it is recommended to start with any areas that include creek bottoms and irrigated fields.
This hunting district lies just north of Yellowstone National Park and runs alongside the Yellowstone River. Hunters can pursue deer throughout the seasons using a general license.
This expansive district is located in southwest Montana and encompasses a significant portion of the region. It features several prominent mountain ranges, including the Greenhorn and Gravelly ranges. Whitetail deer are abundant.
Unit 380 is a prime location for hunting whitetail deer. It is a general unit for whitetail, but it boasts impressive harvest numbers and good success rates each year, most of which are harvested later in the year during the rut. Whitetail are widely distributed throughout the district but can be found in higher concentration in the southern portions.
Whitetail hunting can be done in Unit 393 with a general tag. This district, located in southwest Montana on the east slope of the Bridger Mountains, is renowned for its high population of game animals, both deer and elk. In addition to providing excellent hunting opportunities, it is also renowned for its stunning natural scenery.
This general hunt unit is located in northcentral Montana, with nearly all land being farmed. The best thing about this district is the minimal pressure on wildlife. The land has very little topography; however, some breaks can be found along rivers and creeks.
This district is situated in north-central Montana, bordering Canada. While it predominantly consists of extensive private land, there are also significant areas of public land available. Much of the accessible hunting terrain includes private properties enrolled in Montana's Block Management Program, which can enhance hunting success. This district offers excellent prospects for deer hunting.
This general hunt unit is situated in northcentral Montana, where the majority of the land is used for dryland farming. The terrain is relatively flat, with only slight variations in the form of breaks in the landscape along major rivers and creeks. Despite the relatively unvaried topography, this area is known to be home to a number of good bucks.
This general hunt district is mostly cattle rangeland and dryland farming ground. Located in northcentral Montana west of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, this wide open prairie should bode well for deer hunters. Disease in this unit has done a number on the buck size; however, populations are slowly recovering.
This hunt district, which is a general unit for whitetail, is located in the picturesque Missouri River Breaks region. It offers a wealth of hunting opportunities, with a large population of deer dispersed throughout the area. The greatest concentration of whitetail can be found on private land.
Located in the Snowy and Little Snowy Mountains of central Montana, south of Lewistown, this hunt district is renowned for its stunning natural scenery as well as its exceptional hunting opportunities. The district is home to good populations of whitetail deer, which tend to concentrate around private lands and river bottoms, and offers favorable hunting conditions overall.
Hunt District 412, located in central Montana, encompasses the Judith Mountain Range and the North and South Moccasin Ranges. Sportsmen can hunt whitetail deer in this district with a general tag, with higher densities of these deer found in the foothills. Whitetail deer may be more difficult to spot early in the season, but their numbers tend to increase as the rut progresses in November.
This district is found in central Montana just south of Great Falls. Excellent opportunities can be found in this district, especially since the unit is a general tag. In general, hunters can expect a fun hunt in this district with good chances for a great experience and harvest.
Located in the renowned Little Belt Mountains of central Montana, this district features a robust blend of dense, forested mountains and productive wintering grounds, providing excellent opportunities for hunters during the season. It offers good road access, along with some roadless regions for those seeking a more remote experience. With ample public land and thriving game populations, hunters are likely to enjoy their time in this area.
This hunting district is located on the western edge of the Missouri River Breaks, on the south side of the Missouri River. The rugged terrain provides ample opportunities for extensive foot travel and encourages hunters to spend significant time glassing the landscape. Whitetail deer can be hunted with a general deer license for both archery and rifle seasons.
Situated in the central region of the state, southwest of Lewistown, this district includes a combination of private lands, BLM areas, state lands, and a small section of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Within the forest, old logging roads wind through dense timber, providing excellent access for those willing to hike.
This district is positioned just south of Great Falls in west-central Montana, forming the northern part of the Big Belt Mountain Range. Although the hunting habitat largely consists of private lands, access is notably good thanks to the Block Management Program and willing landowners. However, this area is not specifically managed for trophy-quality animals.
This hunt district, located in south central Montana, is almost entirely composed of private land and is a general unit for deer hunting. Despite being overlooked by some hunters, Unit 502 is home to a large population of whitetail deer, which some may consider overpopulated due to the limited habitat in the area.
Unit 515 is situated in south central Montana, northwest of Billings and north of Columbus. This general unit is bordered by the Musselshell River to the north and the Yellowstone River to the south. Whitetail deer are predominantly found near creek and river bottoms.
This vast hunt district in southern Montana offers a range of hunting opportunities. Unit 525 can be hunted with a general tag for whitetail. Although good bucks can be found throughout unit 525, the majority of deer are commonly found along the front country of the Beartooth Mountain Range. These deer are primarily found at lower elevations and most commonly on private land.
Unit 535 is a general unit for whitetail and is located in central Montana, north of Roundup and south of Winnett. It is bounded by the Musselshell River on the south and east, and is mostly private land. The Big Snowy Mountains are located just to the north, while the Little Snowy Mountains are in the northwest corner of the unit. Whitetails can be found around the agriculture fields near the Musselshell River and Flatwillow Creek. Despite a population decline due to disease in 2012, overall harvest statistics for this unit are good.
This expansive district is located between the Beartooth Mountains and I-90 in south-central Montana. Most of the area consists of riparian cattle lands and farmland, with limited public hunting options. Deer hunting is accessible with a general tag and the habitat supports a healthy population of game.
Unit 590 is located east of Billings and south of Roundup, and includes the Bull Mountains to the north of the Yellowstone River and Pine Ridge to the south of the river. Whitetail deer can often be found near agriculture and in thick cover along the Yellowstone River, Musselshell River, and some of the creeks in the district. Whitetail can be hunted with a general tag.
This district is found in north-central Montana, occupying a vast and remote area between Montana Highway 2 to the south and the Canada-US border to the north. Whitetail are present throughout the district, with higher concentrations near private agricultural fields and brushy creek beds. While most of the prime hunting habitat is on private land, access can be quite good for those friendly hunters who are willing to reach out and ask for permission.
Situated on the north side of the Missouri River, this rugged terrain provides ample opportunities for extensive foot travel and encourages hunters to spend considerable time observing the landscape through their optics.
Located in northeastern Montana, this hunting district provides good hunting opportunities for mule deer and whitetail, with a number of mature bucks taken annually. The region is predominantly agricultural land with some scattered coulees. Unit 640 is a general tag area for deer hunters.
Unit 650 is a general tag area for deer hunters in northeastern Montana. The highest number of whitetail deer can be found in and around the agricultural areas within this unit.
Unit 670 is located in Montana's Hi-Line region and is predominantly made up of prairie and river bottom habitat, which supports a large deer population. This unit can be hunted with a general tag. In past years, some good deer have been taken in this district towards the end of the rifle season. While giant bucks are not common in this region, they can occasionally be found, particularly when the weather is bad in Canada. The district as a whole has good whitetail numbers and overall quality.
This hunting district is located in the northcentral part of the state and includes the Bears Paw Mountain Range, which is located north of the Missouri River and south of the town of Havre. The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation is situated within the district, which presents challenges for both hunters and game managers. Whitetail deer can be found in good numbers in the southern and western parts of this district and can be hunted with a general tag.
Hunt District 700 is located in eastern Montana, in the region known as the Missouri River Breaks. This district offers not only excellent hunting opportunities, but also stunning scenery. Whitetail deer can usually be found in their summer areas, near agriculture and creek bottoms, during the archery season. Whitetail can be hunted with a general tag in Unit 700.
This hunt district is located between the Bighorn River and Tongue River in southeast Montana. The northern border in some areas is the Yellowstone River. This area has lots of private land and holds quality deer. Hunters can make the short drive from Miles City and Billings.
This southeastern Montana hunting district offers not only excellent hunting opportunities, but also breathtaking scenery. Both deer and elk can be hunted in both the archery and rifle seasons with a general tag in this region.
Located in the southeast corner of Montana, Hunt District 705 is bordered by the Powder River to the west. This is a general unit for deer hunting. Whitetail and mule deer are scattered throughout the district.