District 335, Montana

The district covers approximately 218 square miles (139,302 acres) across a moderate, heavily roaded mountain range. Elevations range from roughly 4,200 feet in the lower foothills to over 8,800 feet at the highest peaks, with Haystack Mountain on the Continental Divide reaching 8,819 feet; other significant peaks include Jack Mountain (8,752 ft), Bull Mountain (8,609 ft), and Thunderbolt Mountain (8,597 ft). The Boulder Mountains are geologically part of the Boulder Batholith — rounded granite country with a north-south orientation, bounded by U.S. Highway 12 to the north (Helena to Garrison Junction) and Interstate 15 to the east. The terrain is moderate by Montana standards with no major wilderness areas; roads and trails provide access throughout most of the district.

Primary vehicle access runs along Interstate 15, which forms the eastern boundary of the district, with exits at Clancy, Jefferson City, and Montana City. U.S. Highway 12 bounds the northern extent between Helena and Garrison Junction. The Helena Ranger District (Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59601; 406-449-5201) manages the bulk of federal land within the district (48% USFS, 8% BLM, 2% state, 1% other = 58% public total). The South Hills Trail System on the northern edge connects Helena city land with Forest Service land and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Numerous Forest Service roads penetrate the interior, making it difficult to get more than one mile from a motorized route in most areas. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through via McDonald Pass (west of Helena) and Homestake Pass (east of Butte). Private land is concentrated along the valley bottoms and lower benches flanking I-15 and the Boulder River drainage. Block Management Area (BMA) access through FWP Region 3 provides some hunting access on enrolled private lands.

Lower elevations feature sagebrush-covered hills and riparian corridors with scattered ponderosa pine. Mid-elevations transition into dense ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir stands that make up the bulk of the Helena National Forest within the district. The range is described as mostly forest-covered, with lodgepole pine also present at higher elevations. Sagebrush-grassland parks and benches are interspersed throughout, providing important winter range and early-season habitat for deer and elk.

Elk are present throughout the district but face heavy road-hunting pressure from proximity to Helena; FWP regional forecasts describe Helena-area elk populations as generally robust and increasing yet within population-goal ranges. Mule deer are present, with better-quality bucks typically found in the southeast portion of the district. White-tailed deer populations are stable or increasing per FWP regional harvest trend data, found primarily in riparian corridors and lower-elevation mixed forest. Black bear and mountain lion inhabit the district. Wolf activity is possible given regional presence in southwest Montana; huntable status should be verified annually. The district is noted as a reasonable option for mobility-impaired hunters due to the extensive road network.

Public land 58% confirmed by HuntScore (48% USFS, 8% BLM, 2% state, 1% other). Elk B-license 394-00 quota 300 (range 100-500) from LandTrust citing 2024 regulations — verify current quota with FWP. Season dates updated to 2026 per FWP deer/elk regulations page (archery Sept 5–Oct 18, general Oct 24–Nov 29, muzzleloader Dec 12–20). Pronghorn removed — not present in HD 335 per regional forecasts. Wolf status and mountain lion season quota should be confirmed annually with FWP Region 3. No wilderness areas exist within HD 335.