District 311, Montana

Elevation ranges from approximately 4,800 feet in the lower Gallatin and Madison valley floors to over 11,000 feet at Gallatin Peak and adjacent summits on the Yellowstone-Gallatin and Gallatin-Madison divides. About 80% of the area has slope at or below 30 degrees, but mountain flanks adjacent to the Bridger, Madison, and Gallatin ranges are steep and rugged. The Horseshoe Hills in the northern portion provide lower, rolling terrain with dissected coulees and drainages above the Gallatin Valley floor.

Public land constitutes only approximately 14% of the district and is concentrated in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks unit) along the southern and western margins. US Highway 191 (the Gallatin Canyon corridor) provides primary access to trailheads into the Lee Metcalf and Spanish Peaks Wilderness from the east. US Highway 287 running through Ennis along the Madison River corridor provides western access to Forest Service roads and trailheads. Trail Creek Road off I-90 gives access into the northeast portion. The Beartrap Canyon area along the Madison River, accessed via Ennis Lake Road off Hwy 287, borders the western boundary. The Gallatin Drainage section offers the best public hunting access; access on the Madison River side has decreased since 1993. Roughly two-thirds of the district is comprised of large private ranches that are generally closed to public hunting. FWP Block Management Access Program properties may provide some additional access seasonally. The I-90 corridor (Bozeman Pass and Three Forks area) forms the northern boundary. Note: a Gallatin Valley Weapons Restriction Area applies within HD 311 (see 2026 regulations p.18-19).

Lower elevations and valley floors support irrigated agriculture, river-bottom cottonwood and willow riparian corridors along the Gallatin and Madison Rivers, and shrub-grassland. Foothills transition to ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Mid-elevation Custer Gallatin National Forest slopes carry lodgepole pine, spruce-fir, and aspen. Upper-elevation terrain in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness includes subalpine fir, whitebark pine, and alpine meadows above treeline. Private ranch lands on intermediate slopes and valley edges provide the primary wintering habitat for elk and deer herds.

Elk are present district-wide with two distinct monitored herds: the North Tobacco Herd (801 animals counted in 2024, 3-yr average 642, within 200-1,000 objective range, status At) and the Red Mountain Herd (954 animals counted in 2024, 3-yr average 800, within 200-1,000 objective range, status At), both associated with the Lower Madison Elk Management Unit. Elk summer primarily on National Forest lands and move to private ranch lands under hunting pressure or deep snow. White-tailed deer occupy river bottoms and lower private agricultural lands throughout, with concentrations in the Gallatin River corridor. Mule deer are present district-wide, summering on the Madison Range and Horseshoe Hills, with some herds largely resident on private lands year-round. Pronghorn occur in the flatter sagebrush-grassland portions, primarily the Horseshoe Hills and lower Madison drainage; the population has declined from a historic high of approximately 800 to around 300 animals. Black bear are present in the forested National Forest portions. Mountain lion occupy the mountain terrain throughout. Gray wolves are present in the Gallatin corridor and surrounding mountain ranges. CWD has been confirmed in white-tailed deer in the district as of 2024-2025 FWP surveillance.

Public land percentage (14%) sourced from GoHunt unit profile — treat as approximate. Elk harvest numbers and hunter success rates specific to HD 311 were not available in public documents. Elk counts (801 North Tobacco, 954 Red Mountain) verified from FWP 2024 aerial survey report; both herds At objective (200-1,000 range). Pronghorn population decline to ~300 animals noted from multiple sources; low-confidence, verify against FWP antelope management reports. Antelope License 311-20 quota confirmed at 75 (range 25-150) from 2026 regulations. CWD confirmed in white-tailed deer as of 2024-2025 FWP surveillance. The HD 311/322 (not 311/320) boundary was adjusted for 2026-2027 to encompass the full North Tobacco Root elk herd home range per FWP commission documents. The 397-00 B-license is valid in HDs 301, 309, 311, 312, 314, 315, portion of 380, 390, 391, and 393. Early shoulder season ends Sep 04 (not Sep 1). Gallatin Valley Weapons Restriction Area applies within HD 311 — see regs p.18-19. Mountain lion LMU boundaries covering HD 311 were not confirmed from available documents.