Wise River-Grasshopper unit includes portion of Beaverhead, Silver Bow, and Madison Counties lying west of Interstate 15 between Dillon and Divide. Beaverhead National Forest along with BLM lands offers hundreds of square miles of great public access. Only residents may apply for a limited license that is valid for one of two different seasons.

A few mature bulls scoring over the 140” Boone and Crockett minimum roam the Pioneer Mountains. The difficult part is not only finding one, but it’s an arduous chore of packing such a bull off the mountain. Trophies meeting the Pope and Young minimum of 125” or 140” B&C can be expected to be seen during the multi month hunt. A special hunt takes place from mid-November to mid-December in the Grasshopper Drainage offering a resident tag holder a chance of an exceptional bull if weather conditions cooperate.

Pioneer Mountain Range contains two 11,000 foot peaks, Tweedy and Torrey Mountains that create a dynamic backdrop for the surrounding 9,000 to 10,000 foot peaks, alpine lakes and basins. Wise River drains the entire middle of the unit flowing towards the Bib Hole River near the Town of Wise River. Grasshopper Creek carries snowmelt off the mountains in the southern portion towards the Beaverhead River. Long ridges, gulches, and canyons head east and west off the Pioneer Mountains all leading to river valleys below.

Close to Dillon along the Beaverhead River are irrigated crops, willows, cottonwoods, and lush meadows. Foothills slopes have large areas of sagebrush, mountain shrubs, and clusters of aspens, ponderosa pines, and oak brush. Big Hole River supports a number of large hay fields. Mountain slopes have dense stands of lodgepole pine, spruce, fir, and open parks covered with lush grasses. Alpine basins are carpeted with wildflowers, short grass, moss and lichens on talus slopes. Small lakes have clusters of willows on their banks.

Excellent access into the Beaverhead National Forest Bitterroot is provided by Forest Service road and trail system. Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway travels south of Wise River and connects to a number of trailheads leading into the Beaverhead National Forest. Upper portions of Grasshopper Creek flow through private lands requiring permission to access. Four wheel-drives are recommended during periods heavy snowfall.

Beaverhead National Forest provides a number of developed campgrounds along the Wise River/ Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway. Camping is limited to 16 days within the National Forest. Dillon and Butte have number of motels, café and restaurants along regional medical facilities with 24/7 gas and diesel. Wisdom and Wise River offer limited lodging, café and fuel options.