Unit 394-00 (Sapphire Range / Rock Creek)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 394 covers the northern Sapphire Range and Rock Creek country between Missoula and Philipsburg, anchored by Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ownership. The 394-00 permit authorizes a limited antlered hunt in some of the state's highest-quality bull country. Roughly 299 tags against 1,164 three-year applicants place this as a mid-range draw with strong trophy potential.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 394-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 394

HD 394 elk occupy a classic Sapphire Range mosaic: Douglas fir-lodgepole timber, alpine parks, and mixed-conifer benches.

Rock Creek Drainage

The Rock Creek corridor provides fingertip access to the western side of the Sapphires via FSR 102. Bulls hold in the side drainages at 5,500–7,500 feet during September.

Skalkaho Pass

The terrain around Skalkaho Pass (FSR 38) offers elevation and multiple watershed access. Late September bugling is reliable in the timbered bowls.

Georgetown Lake Fringe

Elk winter toward the lower benches near Georgetown Lake. Late rifle season offers glassing opportunities as snow pushes animals off the crest.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 394

HD 394 rewards hunters who commit to backcountry travel. Road-accessible areas see heavy competition.

Spike-Camp Bugling

Pack 4+ miles off Rock Creek Road during the September archery window. Set spike camp in a basin you've scouted and call from saddles between creek headwaters.

Mid-Season Ridge Running

During early rifle, ridge-run the east-west transverse ridges at 7,000 feet. Bulls traverse these during late morning relocations.

Late Season Snow Push

When snow hits the Sapphire crest, elk slide toward the Georgetown Lake fringe. Glass from FSR 672 vantages at dawn.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

HD 394-00 permit holders harvest at approximately 35–45% based on FWP harvest data. Trophy quality is excellent — 6x6 bulls in the 320–350 class are harvested annually. General rifle elk hunters in 394 without the permit see 18–22% success.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	380	1,460	26.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 394-00 draws at mid-tier difficulty: 1,164 applicants for 299 permits over three years. Residents with 2–3 bonus points are competitive; non-residents should plan for 4–5 points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dalles, Norton, and Grizzly campgrounds along Rock Creek (Lolo NF). Extensive dispersed camping on both Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge NFs.

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Water

Abundant — Rock Creek, Skalkaho Creek, and many tributaries flow through the season.

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Road Conditions

Rock Creek Road is maintained gravel to mile 30, then rougher. Skalkaho Highway (38) is seasonally open through the pass.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Classic Sapphire steep timbered ridges with 2,000+ foot day gains.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate to heavy near Rock Creek Road. Drops significantly 2+ miles off any road.

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Weather

Typical mountain weather: 20–55°F during rifle, snow likely after mid-October.

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Nearest Town

Philipsburg (30 min) for groceries and fuel. Missoula (60 min) for full services.

Note: Rock Creek is a blue-ribbon trout stream — many angler-campers in the corridor through early October. Plan for crowded lower campgrounds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 394 good for a DIY elk hunt?

Yes — the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge NFs provide extensive public access, and hunters willing to pack 2+ miles off Rock Creek Road or Skalkaho Pass can find low-pressure bugling country.

How much snow can close access in HD 394?

Skalkaho Pass (FSR 38) typically closes with 8–12 inches of accumulation. Rock Creek Road stays plowed to the residences but forest spurs can be impassable by late October.

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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 Elk Regulations Page — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Elk season structure, License type definitions, HD-level special regulations · 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
Lolo NF — Missoula Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Rock Creek access, Sapphire Range trail network · accessed 2026-04-17
Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF — USDA Forest Service · supports: Eastern Sapphires boundary, Public-land coverage · accessed 2026-04-17