District 652, Montana

Rolling mixed-grass prairie dissected by steep coulees and badlands breaks dropping toward Fort Peck Reservoir; the reservoir surface sits at roughly 2,246 ft elevation with surrounding benches and ridge lines rising to approximately 2,600–2,900 ft. Terrain is described as somewhat steep in portions, with gumbo clay soils that can render two-track roads impassable when wet. The Fort Peck Reservoir backs up 134 miles along the Missouri River within the CMR refuge corridor, creating extensive riparian edges and boat-accessible canyons within the district.

Primary vehicle access via Montana Highway 24, which runs along the eastern boundary of the district and CMR Refuge from Brockway northward toward Fort Peck town. The Rock Creek access road (gravel, described as all-weather) leads approximately 10 miles west off Hwy 24 to Rock Creek Bay on the eastern arm of the reservoir. Additional access via a network of BLM and CMR two-track roads (the CMR has more than 680 miles of mostly gravel/dirt roads); many become impassable in wet conditions, requiring high-clearance 4WD. Boat access from Rock Creek Marina and other launch points on Fort Peck Reservoir provides a significant tactical advantage — outfitters and experienced hunters routinely use watercraft to reach remote shoreline draws. Public lands include the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS, ~915,814 acres spanning the reservoir corridor), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands (Rock Creek Recreation Area, ~2,800 acres), BLM-administered parcels, and Montana State Trust Land. Substantial private ranch land is interspersed throughout the district; FWP Region 6 Block Management Program enrolls 208 BMAs covering approximately 1.48 million acres, providing additional walk-in access. No wilderness areas or National Forest lands within this district.

Native mixed-grass prairie (blue grama, western wheatgrass, needlegrass) on upland benches and flats; sagebrush-grassland mosaic on mid-slope; forested coulees with Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine, and limber pine on north-facing draws; cottonwood and willow riparian corridors along creek bottoms and reservoir shoreline; wheatfields and cropland on private land parcels add edge habitat. The Rock Creek drainage (2,800-acre Army Corps Recreation Area, McCone County) provides a recognized concentration area for mule deer.

Mule deer are the signature game animal; the district holds significant populations in the Rock Creek drainages and breaks adjacent to the reservoir, with the rut running from late October through late November (peak approximately November 15–20, the week before Thanksgiving). Region-wide mule deer densities were approximately 22% below the long-term average as of 2025 FWP surveys, with antlerless quotas reduced region-wide. White-tailed deer occur in lower numbers, primarily along cottonwood/willow creek bottoms. Pronghorn antelope are present on the open prairie benches. Elk are present at very low density — HD 652 is part of a multi-district EMU (HDs 600, 640, 650, 652, 670) covering extensive prairie habitat described as void of elk or very low elk density. Mountain lion are present but rarely encountered. Sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and waterfowl are also common. No CWD has been detected in HD 652 as of 2024–2025 FWP surveys, making it one of only two Region 6 districts without a confirmed detection (the other being HD 621); CWD prevalence region-wide has risen to approximately 18% in adult mule deer.