Quick Tips
- Clean campsites are a must when camping in bear country
- GPS, Maps, or a compass are highly recommended
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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This huge hunting district makes up the entire Region 4. A wide array of terrain is found within this unit and hunters can usually find what they are after with a little scouting. The southern and western edges of the unit see more mountainous terrain while the remainder is largely open prairie land. Public access can be an issue in some areas and hunters will need to plan accordingly for that.
This area encompasses a huge area and scouting prior to the hunt can largely narrow down prospective hunting areas.
Overall, the terrain in this district will be fairly easy for most to navigate, with the exception of some high country areas housing huge rock cliffed basins. The lower lying country is mostly open prairie with periodic patches of timber. Here, the walking will be mostly easy but there can be some extreme elevation variations that can be very deceiving when viewing from a distance. There are several island mountain ranges containing the best bear habitat, most public land opportunities, and the most remote country from within the district. Here, the elevations will rise sharply as heavily forested ridges climb into steep peaks, often covered in rock and cliffs. The areas along the Rocky Mountain Front can provide some exceptional views while looking for bears.
Along with the unique mixture of terrain, this hunting district also sports a diverse range of vegetation. The lower elevation areas are primarily comprised of native grasses, sage, and ponderosa pine that ribbons its way up some of the higher ridgelines. As the elevation climbs towards the southern and western edges of the unit, the tree cover increases greatly as red fir and lodgepole become more common. Nearly all of the northern slopes will be heavily forested with a bulk of the southern exposures experiencing far less tree cover and more open meadows and slides. Locating a good vantage point can yield some incredible glassing opportunities. Overall, ground cover is mostly sparse here, and other than the steepness, navigating cross country is fairly straightforward.
Most of the open prairie type country is comprised of private lands with a few parcels of public lands intermixed. These areas are generally very isolated and small enough that they can be glassed from the roads. Some bears can be found in these areas, though the age class will generally be much lower. Most of the higher elevation and more secluded areas are public land and hunters are free to explore. There are quite a few roads located throughout the unit making for great access and even offering some great glassing opportunities from a good pullout. Driving roads from glassing point to glassing point can be a great way to cover a lot of country.
Great lodging options can be found in Great Falls located near the center of the unit. The decision on which town to base out of will largely depend on the area to be hunted. Primitive camping is permitted on public lands for up to 14 days.
Roughly 23,300 square miles
25% public land
Elevations range from 3,000 to 9,000 feet