East Bitterroot district lies within portions of Missoula and Ravalli Counties. Most of the western half is private land within the Bitterroot valley. The Bitterroot National Forest encompasses the Sapphire Range providing thousands of acres of public lands. Montana Route 93 sets the western boundary with Route 38 forming the southern edge. Only residents may apply of an antlered Shiras bull limited license.

Missoula County has a number of Shiras bulls in the Boone and Crockett record book with the largest scoring 180”. A number of other 150” class bulls are also recorded. Ravalli County has one bull that scores 186” but no others are recorded. Private land may cause some access issue especially in the Bitterroot Valley. Make plans to hunt private land well before the season begins.

Peaks rise above 9,000 feet in the Sapphire Range but are not as formidable as the Bitterroot Mountains to the west. The Bitterroot River created a broad valley with rangelands and agriculture filling the area. The slopes of the Sapphire Range begin around 4,500 feet near Missoula and climb to close to 6,000 near Shirley Peak. Skalkaho Pass sits near 7,600 feet in the southwest corner of the district.

Large grassy meadows are surrounded with thick stands of ponderosa pines in the Bitterroot Valley. Foothills have mountain shrubs, some stands of aspen, more ponderosa and lodgepole pine with willows along creek bottoms. Mountain slopes have dense forest of pine, spruce and fir yielding to alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers.

Montana Rout 93 along the western edge connects to a good system of county and Forest Service roads and trails. Few ridges, mountain or valleys can’t be gotten close to by either a road or a trail. ThreeMile Wildlife Management Area is nine miles east of the town of Florence and consists of some 6,000 acres. Palisades National Recreational Trail can be reach from Skalkaho Pass.

Bitterroot National Forest provides developed campsites as well as dispersed camping with a limit of 14 consecutive days. RV parks can be found along Montana Route 93. The largest regional center is at Missoula and provides a wide variety of motels, hotels, bed and breakfast options, many cafe and restaurants to choose from, a regional hospital, airport and 24/7 gas and diesel fuels. Hamilton and Stevensville have fewer lodging options, cafés or medical facilities.