District 240, Montana

Rugged, mountainous terrain characterized as among the most demanding public-land hunting country in western Montana. Elevation ranges from approximately 3,200 feet on the Bitterroot Valley floor to 9,000 feet on high wilderness ridges and peaks. Terrain is defined by more than 20 deep glacial canyons cutting east from the Bitterroot crest — including Blodgett, Bass, Sweathouse, Mill, Lost Horse, Bear, and Como — flanked by 2,000-foot granite canyon walls and cliff-laden high ridges. Steep, rolling timbered ridges dominate the northern portion, dropping toward Lolo Creek drainages. The southern wilderness portion holds towering cliffy ridges above major creek drainages running east into the valley.

U.S. Highway 93 runs the length of the Bitterroot Valley (east boundary of HD 240), providing the primary travel corridor. All canyon trailheads branch west off US-93 via short paved or gravel connector roads. Key access corridors from north to south: Bass Creek Trailhead (near Florence/Stevensville), Sweathouse Creek (near Victor), Blodgett Canyon Trailhead (northwest of Hamilton — most developed, signed trailhead), Canyon Creek and Mill Creek (near Hamilton), Lost Horse Road (deepest motorized penetration into the range, 18+ miles of drivable Forest Service road west of Hamilton), Como Lake/Peaks (near Darby via FS road), West Fork Road (south of Darby providing access to Trapper Peak area and southern wilderness). Skalkaho Highway (MT-38) provides a seasonal gravel route over the southern range. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (1.34 million acres) covers the backcountry heart of HD 240 — all motorized use including ATVs and mountain bikes is prohibited beyond wilderness boundaries, making most hunting access strictly by foot or horse. Valley-floor land along US-93 is predominantly private and largely blocks direct valley-to-wilderness travel without using established trailheads. The Bitterroot National Forest (Stevensville, Darby, and West Fork Ranger Districts) manages the public lands. HD boundary adjustments impacting HDs 201, 202, 240, and 285 were implemented in 2022; hunters should verify current boundaries before hunting.

Upper elevations support whitebark pine and subalpine larch forests transitioning to spruce-fir stands near timberline, with expansive alpine meadow basins adjacent to high lakes. Mid-elevation slopes carry mature Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch. The foothill transition zone along the valley margin features ponderosa pine with alder brush and cottonwood in creek bottoms. Valley-floor riparian corridors along the Bitterroot River and tributary streams support cottonwood and willow. The bulk of huntable habitat is dense, unroaded wilderness timber with limited open parks at high elevation.

Elk are the primary big-game species; the Bitterroot EMU (which includes HD 240) is managed for a population objective of 600–900 animals. Bull quality is described as slightly above average relative to surrounding districts, though overall elk density is lower than neighboring units. White-tailed deer are present in moderate numbers, primarily in the foothill and riparian transition zone. Mule deer occupy higher elevations and show increasing population trends with improving buck quality in recent years; hunters are directed high into the mountains for best mule deer opportunity. Black bear are present throughout the district with an OTC general license. Mountain lion inhabit the rugged canyon terrain. Gray wolves are present and huntable under a general license season. Mountain goat have been documented in the high cliff terrain of the Selway-Bitterroot, though special permit tags are extremely rare and limited. Moose occur in the district. The Bitterroot drainage supports a diverse population of non-game species consistent with mature conifer wilderness ecosystems.