Hunt District 540 in Montana, particularly around the Little Belts, offers interesting challenges and insights for hunters. While sightings of grizzly bears are generally rare, some hunters have reported evidence of their presence, including tracks and local stories about sows with cubs. Hunters planning to visit should focus on finding water sources, as the area tends to be very dry, which influences game movement. Additionally, it's worth noting that recent changes in draw odds for nonresident combination licenses have made preference point-based applications more competitive, as a significant pool of applicants with zero points now exists due to the 25% no point rule being fully utilized for the first time.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 130"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 320"+ |
High
Low
This district is in central Montana on the southeast corner of the Little Belt Mountain Range. The lower elevations of the district are comprised of a mix of private and state lands north of the Musselshell River between the towns of Martinsdale and Harlowton. Hunting in this district is available on a general tag for elk and deer. Trophy quality in this area leaves much to be desired, but elk and deer numbers are good.
The Little Belt Mountains are known in Montana for great elk hunting opportunity. One of the main winter ranges for elk in the Little Belt’s is the Haymaker WMA which is located in the center of this district. Late in the season the Haymaker WMA and surrounding private lands can be very good elk hunting.
This district begins along the north banks of the Musselshell River and slowly rises up and becomes mountainous in the southeastern tail of the Little Belt Mountains. The lower elevations in the south are primarily moderate farmland and cattle pastures. The upper elevations in the north are steep timbered mountain canyons riddled with trails and a few forest service roads.
Public access in the National Forest is good. Much of the elk habitat during the hunting season is on very restricted private land. Block Management Areas and state lands provide hunting opportunity in the lower elevations of the district.
The upper quarter of this district is made up of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests in steep timbered canyons from the top to the bottom. Grassy meadows break up the dense timber which leads down to lower elevation foothill country with long sweeping ridges of prairie grasses, oak brush and willows. The lower elevations are a mix of agricultural farmlands of alfalfa and wheat, and riparian pastures with sagebrush and cactus.
Options in this district are fairly limited. There are a few public campgrounds in the district and the National Forest provides excellent access for more primitive style camps. Backcountry style camps are common in the National Forest, especially during the archery elk hunt.
Roughly 584 square miles
33.7% public land
Elevation from 4,100-8,200 feet
Horses and ATV’s are helpful in the backcountry