For the 2023 fall hunting seasons, there are over 650,000 acres of private lands enrolled in FWP’s Region 1 Block Management program. Most of these lands are owned by corporate timber companies: Green Diamond Resource Company, Southern Pines Plantation of Montana, Stimson Lumber Company, and Stoltze Land & Lumber Company. Traditional private ranch land BMAs can also be found in Region 1. This region of Montana has primarily dense conifer forest habitat and offers hunters the opportunity to hunt elk, deer, moose, black bear, wolf, mountain grouse, turkey, and occasionally waterfowl.
Region 2 (Western Montana)
Region 2 has approximately 480,000 acres of private and isolated public lands enrolled in FWP’s Region 2 Block Management Program. Region 2 also manages approximately 226,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Fishing Access Sites (FAS), State Parks (SP), and other public and private land access opportunities. Most Region 2 Access Areas are in mountains, valleys, and foothills. The region provides hunters with diverse opportunities for deer, elk, black bear, moose, wolf, mountain grouse, turkey, waterfowl, antelope, and big horn sheep.
Habitat/Terrain
Region 1 (Northwest Montana)
This region of Montana has primarily dense conifer forests and rolling topography that provide exceptional habitat for white-tailed deer, which are the most plentiful big game species in Northwest Montana.
Over 62% of this region is public land. Region 2 also features large areas of private lands with ranching economies, corporate timber lands, Nature Conservancy lands and metropolitan areas.
Most Region 2 Block Management areas are in mountains, mountain valleys and foothills. The Region 2 Block Management Program provides hunters with diverse hunting opportunities for deer, elk, black bear, moose, wolf, mountain grouse, turkey, waterfowl, antelope, and big horn sheep.
How to use Region 1 BMP
Like other regions, Region 1 has Type I and Type II BMAs. A Type I BMA allows hunters to administer their own permission to hunt, while a Type II BMA requires a hunter to obtain permission through other means. BMA hunting opportunities vary greatly regarding methods of gaining access, opening and closing dates, vehicle travel, game retrieval, camping, presence of public lands, size, limits on hunter numbers, etc. It is very important to obtain the current year's BMA map and regulations for the BMA’s that you intend to hunt. Prior to recreating on timber company lands, obtain a current map and rules so that you are aware of the current rules and any landownership changes.
The best way to obtain block management area maps and rules is to visit our website: http://fwp.mt.gov/bma. Region 1 maps and rules may also be requested by calling the Region 1 office in Kalispell at (406) 752-5501. We ask that you limit your map request to five per phone call in order to maintain the ability to fill requests in a timely fashion. Block management areas have maps and rules available on-site in hunter registration boxes or in map dispensers. Maps are usually posted at BMA access points.
In most instances, motorized travel on Region 1 BMAs is restricted to a few main roads, with private ranch roads and logging roads closed to motorized travel. The reasons for limiting motorized access are: 1) reduce noxious weed spread; 2) minimize road damage; and 3) improve hunting quality. Travel on gated roads is typically open to foot, horse and non-motorized bicycle; but in some instances, exceptions are made to allow hunters to drive in with vehicles to retrieve harvested game animals.
Remember, Block Management lands are private property that are open for public use. They are only available if these properties and landowners are respected and appreciated. Please follow all rules and regulations while hunting on private property. Region 1 encourages you to share your experiences on specific BMAs by sending cards, pictures, or letters to fwprg12@mt.gov or the Region 1 office in Kalispell. We share these with landowners to show your gratitude and to help improve the program.
How to use Region 2 BMP
Like other regions, Region 2 has Type I and Type II BMAs. A Type I BMA allows hunters to administer their own permission to hunt, while a Type II BMA requires a hunter to obtain permission through other means. BMA hunting opportunities vary greatly regarding methods of gaining access, opening and closing dates, vehicle travel, game retrieval, camping, presence of public lands, size, limits on hunter numbers, etc. It is very important to obtain the current year's BMA map and regulations for the BMA’s that you intend to hunt. Prior to recreating on timber company or Nature Conservancy lands, obtain a current map and rules so that you are aware of the current rules and any landownership changes.
The best way to obtain block management area maps and rules is to visit our website: http://fwp.mt.gov/bma. Region 2 maps and rules may also be requested by calling the Region 2 Hunting Access Office in Missoula at (406) 542-5530. We ask that you limit your map request to five per phone call in order to maintain the ability to fill requests in a timely fashion. Block management areas have maps and rules available on-site in hunter registration boxes or in map dispensers. Maps are usually posted at BMA access points.
In most instances, motorized travel on Region 2 BMAs is restricted to a few main roads, with private ranch roads and logging roads closed to motorized travel. The reasons for limiting motorized access are: 1) reduce noxious weed spread; 2) minimize road damage; and 3) improve hunting quality. Travel on gated roads is typically open to foot, horse and non-motorized bicycle; but in some instances, exceptions are made to allow hunters to drive in with vehicles to retrieve harvested game animals.
Other Region 2 Hunting Opportunities
FWP Sites
FWP administers numerous Fishing Access Sites (FASs) and State Parks (SPs) throughout the region. In addition to providing water recreation access to anglers and boaters, some FASs allow hunting. These areas provide deer (archery-only) and waterfowl hunting opportunities. Maps of these areas are available at the Region 2 FWP Office or online. These sites include:
Fish Creek SP: 5,603 acres, west of Alberton
Kelly Island FAS: 705 acres, west of Missoula
Erskine FAS: 428 acres & access to adjacent USFS lands, west of Missoula
Council Grove SP: 190 acres, west of Missoula
Tucker Crossing FAS: 250 acres, south of Victor
Bell Crossing FAS: 65 acres, north of Victor
FWP also administers Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout the region, each of which provides some hunting opportunities. WMAs in the region include:
Fish Creek WMA 35,000 acres, west of Alberton
Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA: 46,200 acres, southwest of Seeley Lake
Marshall Creek WMA: 24,900 acres, northwest of Seeley Lake
Nevada Lake WMA: 1,522 acres, southeast of Helmville
Aunt Molly WMA: 1,182 acres, northwest of Helmville.
Hunters need to be aware that grizzly bears are frequently in this area.
Spotted Dog WMA: 38,000 acres, northeast of Deer Lodge
Warm Springs WMA: 4,700 acres, south of Deer Lodge.
Waterfowl and deer hunting opportunities.
Restricted archery equipment, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, and crossbow.
Lost Creek WMA: 1,404 acres, north of Anaconda
Stucky Ridge WMA: 294 acres, northwest of Anaconda
Blue Eyed Nellie WMA: 195 acres, west of Anaconda
Garrity Mountain WMA: 9,500 acres, west of Anaconda
Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) Ranch: 31,000 acres, west of Deer Lodge
The MCE ranch is divided into an archery-only hunting area and a rifle hunting area. The archery-only portion of the ranch requires written permission administered by Montana Correctional Enterprises from August 1 - December 15. Permission is not required to access the MCE Ranch rifle hunting area. Contact the Region 2 Hunting Access Office or Montana Correctional Enterprises at (406) 415-6296 for an MCE Ranch map and rules.
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS): 2,800 acres, north of Stevensville
The refuge allows archery-only deer hunting and waterfowl hunting from designated blinds. For more information contact the refuge at (406) 777-5552.
Blackfoot Waterfowl Production Area (USFWS): 1,873 acres, southeast of Ovando
The refuge allows waterfowl, upland bird, and big game hunting. For more information contact the refuge at (406) 727-7400.
