Montana Mountain Goat

Unit 240-20 (Sapphire / Skalkaho Goat Area)

Montana Hunting Guide — Mountain Goat

HD 240 goat district covers the high Sapphire Range country around Skalkaho Pass. The 240-20 permit issues just 1 tag against 1,143 three-year applicants, making it among the most competitive mountain goat draws in Montana. Resident goats use the steep cliff bands and alpine basins above 8,000 feet within the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge NFs.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 240-20

Where to Find Goats in HD 240

Sapphire goats are small in total population and concentrate on specific cliff bands — scouting is non-negotiable.

Skalkaho Peak

Skalkaho Peak and the surrounding ridges hold a resident herd. Glass the east and south-facing limestone cliff bands at sunrise.

Palisade Mountain

The Palisade Mountain area on the Sapphire divide holds occasional groups. Access from FSR 5106 and hike to ridge vantages.

How to Hunt Goats in HD 240

With a 1-tag quota, treat this hunt as a multi-week operation with multiple scouting trips.

Spot From Below

Goats notice hunters approaching from above but tolerate animals below them. Spot from lower vantages and plan a stalk that keeps the goat above your approach line.

Weather Windows

September in the Sapphires can deliver snow that restricts access. Plan your hunt early in the season with weather margin.

Recovery Plan

A downed goat on a cliff band requires ropes and partners. Pre-plan recovery before taking a shot.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle68%

HD 240-20 success is near 100% when weather cooperates — the single tag holder typically commits 2–3 weeks to the hunt. Horn quality in the Sapphires is solid though not as thick as the Cabinet Mountains herd.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	1,153	0.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 240-20 issues roughly 1 tag per year against 1,143 three-year applicants — individual-year odds are a fraction of 1%. Once-in-a-lifetime rules apply: drawing ends your future mountain goat eligibility in Montana.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed USFS camping along Skalkaho Pass (FSR 38). No developed campgrounds immediately within HD 240 goat area.

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Water

Good in alpine basins — streams and snowfields through early fall.

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Road Conditions

FSR 38 (Skalkaho Highway) seasonally open. High-elevation spurs are rough and weather-dependent.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Class 3 scrambling likely; cliff-band exposure real.

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Hunting Pressure

None — single tag holder.

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Weather

Early snow possible by mid-September. Pack winter bivy gear.

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Nearest Town

Hamilton or Philipsburg (60+ min to trailheads) for full services.

Note: Partner and satellite communicator strongly recommended given the cliff terrain and remote access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use HD 240 bonus points toward a different goat district?

Yes — Montana mountain goat bonus points accrue statewide. Apply strategically for whichever HD matches your access/trophy goals.

How fit do I need to be for HD 240?

Excellent shape. Expect multi-day backpacks above 8,000 feet with heavy packouts. Scrambling/mountaineering experience is highly recommended.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

2026 Deer, Elk, and Antelope Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Hunting district (HD) boundaries, Season dates per weapon, Quotas for limited B/general licenses, Private-land hunting rules · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Mountain Goat Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Once-in-lifetime rules, HD-level quotas, Sex restrictions · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD boundary geometry, Public-land layers (BLM/USFS/SLB/Block Management), Block Management Areas + Walk-In · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds by license/permit code, Applicant and quota counts, Bonus points progression · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Per-HD harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Game check-station data · accessed 2026-04-17
Bitterroot NF — East Side Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Skalkaho Pass access, Sapphire trail network · accessed 2026-04-17