District 210, Montana

The district spans elevations from approximately 4,200 feet in valley bottoms along Flint Creek and Rock Creek up to the high ridges of the John Long Range. Notable peaks include Quigg Peak (8,419 ft) and Butte Cabin Ridge (8,468 ft). The range contains a sizable roadless area of roughly 65,000 acres centered on Silver King Mountain (7,581 ft). Terrain transitions from rolling shrub-choked foothills in the west through densely timbered middle slopes to open rocky ridges. Drainages include Upper Willow Creek, South Fork Lower Willow Creek, and lower Rock Creek on the western flank.

Primary vehicle access via Interstate 90 along the northern boundary (Drummond exit) and Montana Highway 1 along the eastern edge through the Flint Creek Valley (Philipsburg). The 42-mile Rock Creek Road (Forest Service road off I-90 near Clinton) follows Rock Creek from its confluence with the Clark Fork River south to Montana Highway 348 — it is notably narrow, poorly maintained, and requires reversing for oncoming traffic in places; it provides the main corridor for trailhead access into the western John Long Mountains. Key trailheads along Rock Creek Road include the Babcock Mountain trailhead (site of the 8,000-acre Babcock Mountain Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area) and the Sandstone Ridge trailhead on the southern end; Brewster Creek provides northern access to Sandstone Ridge. Forest Service roads off Highway 1 and Highway 38 provide access from the east and south. The Pintler Ranger District (Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, Philipsburg, 406-859-3211) manages the bulk of USFS land. Public land totals approximately 41–46% of the district; private lands in the northeast Flint Creek Valley and southern drainages require landowner permission. Montana Block Management Areas (BMAs) via FWP Region 2 add additional access on private ground. November snow can block many Forest Service roads. A 2024 boundary change was drawn at Henderson Creek, affecting B-license validity zones — verify current boundaries with FWP Region 2.

Lower valley floors along Flint Creek carry cottonwood and willow riparian corridors with farm meadows and open grasslands. Mid-elevation foothills transition to ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on south-facing slopes with open meadows and sagebrush patches. North and east-facing middle slopes support lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and heavy downfall; higher elevations transition to spruce-fir and whitebark pine on upper ridges. Western slopes contain Douglas-fir groves interspersed with grassy parks. The Flint Creek Valley floor contains cultivated agricultural land providing important edge habitat for white-tailed deer.

Elk: A resident herd of roughly 150 animals uses lower Rock Creek drainages as winter range, moving to upper timbered slopes and open grasslands in summer; during hunting season herds commonly shift between Strawberry Mountain, Black Pine Ridge, and Henderson Mountain in response to weather and hunting pressure. White-tailed deer: Concentrated within the Flint Creek Valley corridor near Highway 1 on agricultural lands; remain near farmland edges through season. Mule deer: Use high ridgelines and upper slopes in summer and early fall, dropping into drainages and foothills as season progresses and weather deteriorates. Bighorn sheep: A visible population frequents the Babcock Mountain area on the western side of the range (8,000-acre Babcock Mountain Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area along Rock Creek Road). Wolves: A pack is documented in the northern John Long Range. Black bear and mountain lion have established presence in the forested terrain. The John Long Mountains are noted as relatively wild and isolated despite proximity to Missoula, with hunting pressure relatively low due to access limitations from private land blockades.

1. The 15.7% hunter success figure from HuntScore reflects 2021 aggregate data (all species combined) — it is not elk-specific. Elk-only success rate is unknown. 2. Elk B-license antlerless quota for HD 210 could not be confirmed for 2026; verify with FWP Region 2. 3. A 2024 boundary adjustment at Henderson Creek affected B-license validity zones within HD 210 — confirmed by FWP Region 2 Big Game Forecast. 4. Either-sex white-tailed deer opportunity at General Season opening modified from 9 days to 7 days — confirmed for 2024–2025; 2026 status should be verified in 2026 DEA regulations. 5. Bighorn sheep present at Babcock Mountain; specific FWP bighorn sheep district numbers overlapping HD 210 not confirmed — verify before applying. 6. Public land pct: GoHunt reports 41.5%; HuntScore reports 46% — 46% used as reported value. 7. No designated Wilderness within HD 210; the range contains ~65,000 acres of roadless area around Silver King Mountain. 8. Bighorn sheep season dates corrected from draft: archery Sep 5–14, general Sep 15–Nov 29 (2026 statewide), per fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/bighorn-sheep. 9. Season dates are 2026 statewide general dates; verify district-specific shoulder or special seasons in the 2026 FWP DEA regulations booklet.