Montana Elk Mule Deer Moose

Unit 101 (South Bitterroot Valley)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Moose

HD 101 encompasses the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley and lower Bitterroot River drainage in Ravalli County, extending toward the Lost Trail Pass area near the Montana-Idaho border. The unit features a mix of private valley-floor land and extensive Bitterroot National Forest terrain rising into the Bitterroot Mountains on the west and the Sapphire Mountains on the east. Elk densities are good given the substantial public-land corridor, and the unit receives moderate hunting pressure relative to more northern Bitterroot units.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 101

Where to Find Elk in HD 101

Elk in HD 101 use both the western Bitterroot Mountains and the eastern Sapphire Mountains seasonally. The Salmon River Mountains on the Idaho border create a significant high-country refuge that holds elk well into rifle season. Migration routes concentrate elk along the main Bitterroot River drainage and its tributaries as animals descend toward winter range.

High Country (September–October)

Early season elk concentrate in the high basins and alpine meadows of the Bitterroot Mountains above 7,000 feet. The drainages off US-93 south of Darby — including Tin Cup, Nez Perce Fork, and the East Fork Bitterroot — all support elk populations. North-facing timber drainages hold bulls in velvet and during the early rut.

Mid-Elevation Corridors (October–November)

As rifle season pressure builds, elk push deeper into the Bitterroot Wilderness and USFS roadless areas. Focus on the timbered ridges and parks between 5,000 and 7,500 feet — especially the drainages that run parallel to the main valley but are accessible only on foot or horseback. Elk funnel through these mid-elevation corridors when migrating between summer and winter range.

Late Season (November)

Late-season elk concentrate on south-facing slopes and valley benches near the main Bitterroot River and the East Fork drainage. Scout for elk in or near Block Management Area boundaries where agricultural land provides supplemental forage adjacent to public land timber.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 101

HD 101 rewards hunters who are willing to leave the valley-floor access roads behind and push into the Bitterroot National Forest's roadless drainages. The most productive elk hunting is found 3+ miles from trailheads.

Wilderness Pack-In Hunts

The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary touches the western portion of HD 101. Pack-in camps accessed from Nez Perce Fork, East Fork, and other trailheads allow access to minimally pressured elk country. Horses or llamas are the preferred method for packing meat out of the wilderness given the distances involved. Plan for 5–7 day wilderness hunts for best results.

Day Hunting the Forest Edge

For hunters without stock access, focus on the USFS roaded system in the lower drainages and walk in from trailhead parking. Target the timbered benches and saddles 2–4 miles from the trailhead where pressure drops substantially. A lightweight wall tent camp at an interior location dramatically increases hunt effectiveness.

Archery Along the River Bottom

Archery hunters can find good early-season action along the East Fork Bitterroot River riparian corridor and the lower reaches of the tributary drainages before elk migrate to higher country. River bottom willows and cottonwoods concentrate elk at dawn during the pre-rut period.

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Elk Success Rates

HD 101 elk success averages 15–20% for rifle hunters with the substantial variation driven by access effort — hunters who reach the interior roadless country significantly outperform road-hunters. Archery success runs 7–12%. The unit's southern location near Lost Trail Pass and the Idaho border provides a large wilderness refuge that maintains good elk numbers despite annual hunting pressure. Cow-elk harvest is an important management tool in this unit; check FWP harvest reports for trend data.

Elk Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Like most southwest Montana elk units, HD 101 general cow-elk licenses are typically over-the-counter for Montana residents. Bull elk and non-resident license availability depend on current FWP regulations. Check whether antlerless-only or antlered restrictions are in place for the current season. Non-resident hunters must apply through the Big Game Combination License drawing — FWP drawing statistics at myfwp.mt.gov provide current odds and applicant counts for this unit.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 101

Mule deer in HD 101 inhabit the sage benchlands, rocky timbered foothills, and creek-bottom breaks of the southern Bitterroot Valley. While whitetail deer dominate the valley-floor riparian zones, mule deer hold the drier, more open terrain along the Sapphire Mountain front to the east and the lower Bitterroot Mountain foothills to the west. The unit provides solid general-season mule deer hunting with a mix of public and Block Management Area private land access.

Where to Find Mule Deer in HD 101

Mule deer in HD 101 use the broken foothills and sage-covered benches flanking both sides of the southern Bitterroot Valley. Bucks concentrate in terrain that offers a combination of sage and bitterbrush forage with rocky or timbered escape cover nearby.

East-Side Sapphire Foothills

The eastern margin of HD 101 along the Sapphire Mountain front holds resident mule deer bucks year-round. Glass the rocky draws and sage parks above the valley floor — bucks feed in the open terrain at dawn and dusk and bed in the scattered ponderosa and Douglas fir timber during midday. Focus on south-facing aspects that hold sage and bitterbrush browse through late fall.

West-Side Bitterroot Mountain Breaks

The lower slopes of the Bitterroot Mountains on the west side of the valley feature mixed conifer and open parks with sage patches. Mule deer use these areas more than the deeply timbered middle elevations, preferring the transition zone between open and forested terrain.

November Rut

The mule deer rut in HD 101 runs mid-to-late November. Bucks become highly visible as they travel open terrain searching for does in estrus. The sage flat corridors between the valley floor and the foothills concentrate rutting buck movement.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in HD 101

Spot-and-stalk is the primary method for mule deer in HD 101's foothill terrain. Identify glassing vantages that give views into multiple draws and basins, then commit to a patient, methodical approach once a buck is located.

Morning and Evening Glassing

Position on elevated benches or ridge ends that overlook the sage draws and park edges where mule deer feed. First light is the most productive time — bucks are on their feet and feeding. Identify bedding cover (timber patches, rimrock) between feeding and bedding zones and set up along that travel corridor for a shot opportunity during morning transition.

Late-Season Rifle

Late-season mule deer in HD 101 concentrate near the Block Management agricultural parcels and hay fields where supplemental forage is available. Check the FWP BMP guide for enrolled private parcels and hunt the public-land timber edges adjacent to those properties for bucks transitioning between private feeding areas and public-land bedding cover.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

General deer success in HD 101 averages 20–30% for rifle hunters. The mixed public-private landscape means success is closely tied to access — hunters with Block Management Area permissions or access to the larger national forest parcels outperform those limited to road-adjacent public land. Mule deer numbers have shown modest fluctuations tied to severe winter conditions, which can impact buck age structure in successive years.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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General deer licenses in HD 101 are available over-the-counter for Montana residents. Non-resident general deer licenses require the Big Game Combination License drawing. License conditions may specify antler-point restrictions — verify current FWP regulations for HD 101 before purchasing. The FWP Drawing Statistics portal provides non-resident draw odds and applicant counts.

Moose Hunting in Unit 101

HD 101 covers the eastern slope of Glacier National Park and the Two Medicine drainage in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Rocky Mountain Front. Moose inhabit the willow-choked creek drainages and aspen parklands where the Rocky Mountain Front meets the prairie. The 101-00 limited moose permit offers a rare combination of Glacier-adjacent scenery and legitimate Shiras moose opportunity in one of Montana's most dramatic landscapes.

Where to Find Moose in HD 101

HD 101 moose use the willow-filled creek bottoms and aspen parklands along the eastern Glacier NP boundary and Two Medicine River drainage.

Two Medicine River Corridor

The Two Medicine River and its tributaries flowing east off the Continental Divide provide classic moose habitat. Willow flats and beaver-modified creek sections below Two Medicine Lake and along the lower drainage hold both cow and bull moose through the fall season.

Rocky Mountain Front Aspen Parklands

Where the Rocky Mountain Front meets the Great Plains, aspen groves and willow draw moose down from the high country during the rut. The transition zone between forest and prairie along US-89 south of St. Mary holds moose that shift between elevations with weather changes.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 101

HD 101 moose hunting combines Rocky Mountain Front glassing with creek-bottom willow work along the eastern Glacier boundary.

Glass the Front from Elevated Points

The open terrain of the Rocky Mountain Front allows glassing productive creek drainages from distance. Spot moose from elevated prairie points before committing to an approach. The transition between timber and open terrain along the Front makes bulls visible at long range during morning and evening.

Willow Bottom Calling

During the rut, position at productive willow-bottom confluences and call with cow moans. Bulls respond actively in HD 101 where hunting pressure is minimal and moose are largely undisturbed outside of the limited permit season.

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Moose Success Rates

Montana moose permit success statewide is 60–80%, and HD 101 permit holders perform well given the open terrain that makes locating moose more straightforward than in dense western-slope drainages. The two-season window (early archery and late rifle) provides flexibility for permit holders.

Moose Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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The 101-00 moose permit is highly competitive. Expect to hold 8–12+ bonus points for a reasonable resident draw. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — plan your application strategy around realistic long-term point accumulation.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Darby (20–30 min north) has RV facilities. Sula area has limited camping. Some USFS campgrounds south of Darby along the East Fork Road accommodate smaller rigs.

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Camp Sites

Numerous Bitterroot National Forest campgrounds along the East Fork Road, Nez Perce Fork Road, and US-93 south of Darby. Dispersed camping widely available on national forest land.

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Trailer Access

US-93 and the East Fork Road are trailer-accessible. Spur roads to interior drainages are narrow and rocky — recommend leaving trailers at valley-floor staging camps.

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Water

Excellent. The Bitterroot River, East Fork, and all major tributaries run clear through hunting season. Filter or treat all backcountry water.

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Road Conditions

US-93 and East Fork Road paved or maintained gravel. Interior forest roads range from good gravel to rough two-track requiring high-clearance 4WD. Snow closes higher roads by late October.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to very strenuous depending on drainage. Valley access is easy; wilderness hunting involves 2,000–4,000 foot elevation gains on steep, timbered terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate near trailheads; light in wilderness interior. Southern portions of HD 101 see less pressure than more accessible northern Bitterroot units.

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Weather

Expect 20–55°F during rifle season with frequent snow events after mid-October. The Lost Trail Pass area can receive significant early-season snow. Winter camping gear is advisable for any multi-day hunt.

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Cell Service

Reliable along US-93 and near Darby. Absent in canyon drainages and wilderness areas. Satellite communicator strongly recommended for backcountry hunts.

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Nearest Town

Darby for fuel and basic supplies. Hamilton (40 min north) for full services and meat processing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What drainages hold the most elk in HD 101?

The East Fork Bitterroot River drainage and the Nez Perce Fork are the primary elk corridors in HD 101. The deeper draws off these main drainages — accessible by foot or horseback — hold the best bull populations away from road pressure.

Can you pack horses into HD 101 for elk hunting?

Yes. The East Fork Bitterroot and several other trailheads in HD 101 provide horse-trailer parking and trailhead access into the Bitterroot National Forest and adjacent Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Pack-in camps dramatically expand the huntable area.

Are there mule deer or whitetail in HD 101?

Both species are present in HD 101. Whitetail deer dominate the valley-floor riparian corridors along the Bitterroot River. Mule deer are more common on the sage benches, rocky foothills, and open breaks flanking both sides of the valley.

When is the mule deer rut in HD 101?

Mule deer rut peaks in mid-to-late November in southwest Montana. Bucks become highly active and visible during this period, making the late rifle season an excellent time to target mature bucks.

Is HD 101 near Glacier National Park?

Yes — HD 101 borders Glacier NP on the east side along the Continental Divide. The hunting area is outside the park boundary in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and adjacent lands.

When is the best time to hunt moose in HD 101?

The September rut is the most productive window. Bulls are actively responding to calls and moving during daylight hours. Early October can also be excellent as bulls recover post-rut and begin concentrating near winter forage areas.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

Montana Big Game Regulations 2025-26 — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 101 species list, Season dates, Permit structure, HD boundary description · accessed 2026-04-18
FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 101 boundary geometry, Public-land layers, Block Management Areas · accessed 2026-04-18
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Per-HD harvest totals, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-18
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds, Applicant counts · accessed 2026-04-18
FWP Moose Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Moose season structure, Once-in-lifetime rules, HD 101 quota · accessed 2026-04-18
Lewis and Clark National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Rocky Mountain Front access, Two Medicine drainage, Public land boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 101 (South Bitterroot Valley)

Elk Hunting in Unit 101

Where to Find Elk in HD 101

High Country (September–October)

Mid-Elevation Corridors (October–November)

Late Season (November)

How to Hunt Elk in HD 101

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 101

Where to Find Mule Deer in HD 101

East-Side Sapphire Foothills

West-Side Bitterroot Mountain Breaks

November Rut

How to Hunt Mule Deer in HD 101

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 101

Where to Find Moose in HD 101

Two Medicine River Corridor

Rocky Mountain Front Aspen Parklands

How to Hunt Moose in HD 101

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

HD 100 — Elk

HD 101 — Mule Deer

HD 103 — Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification