Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area is 5,670 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 5, inside Hunting District 535. FWP lists antelope, black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: Open from noon May 15 to 11:59 pm December 1.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Big Snowy Mountains WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landBig Snowy Mountains WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 5,670 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 5, South-central Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 535 |
| Rules | Open from noon May 15 to 11:59 pm December 1. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions. |
| Elevation | 5600 ft |
| Nearest towns | Ryegate (21 mi), Shawmut (22 mi) and Judith Gap (24 mi) |
What is Big Snowy Mountains WMA for?
The Fish and Wildlife Commission bought the Big Snowy Mountains WMA in 2022, mostly with hunting license money and federal Wildlife Restoration Act funds. It is grassland winter range and forest at the southeastern edge of the Big Snowy Mountains, about 20 miles north of Ryegate. FWP notes there is little flowing water on the property.
From FWP's Big Snowy Mountains WMA page.
What are the rules on Big Snowy Mountains WMA?
Open from noon May 15 to 11:59 pm December 1. Access is on foot from the established roads and parking areas shown on FWP's map; bikes and riding or pack stock are allowed. Camping is limited to 16 days in 30, stock feed must be certified weed free, and food must be stored in a vehicle or a bear-resistant container.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Big Snowy Mountains WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Big Snowy Mountains WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Big Snowy Mountains WMA: antelope, black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: wild turkey.
Which hunting districts is Big Snowy Mountains WMA in?
All of Big Snowy Mountains WMA lies in Hunting District 535. Each district's FWP harvest estimate, for the whole district, not the WMA alone:
| District | WMA acres in it | Elk harvested (district) | Deer harvested (district) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 535 Southern Snowy Mountains | 5,670 | 571 (2025) |
Harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025). WMA acres in each district measured by FilledTag from FWP's boundaries.
How do you get to Big Snowy Mountains WMA?
From Ryegate: North on HWY238 (Rothiemay Rd) 22.5 miles. Turn east on HWY238 (Red Hill Rd).
Nearest towns: Ryegate (21 miles), Shawmut (22 miles), Judith Gap (24 miles) and Lavina (26 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Big Snowy Mountains WMA open?
Open from noon May 15 to 11:59 pm December 1, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Big Snowy Mountains WMA?
FWP lists antelope, black bear, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and wild turkey for hunting or trapping on Big Snowy Mountains WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 535).
Can you camp on Big Snowy Mountains WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Big Snowy Mountains WMA, with pack in/pack out, parking and primitive campsite. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Big Snowy Mountains WMA in?
All of it is in Hunting District 535 (Southern Snowy Mountains).
Get a Montana hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Montana are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Montana included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Big Snowy Mountains WMA.
- Boundary and acres: FWP wildlife management area boundaries. Surrounding public land: Montana Cadastral Public Lands, Montana State Library, published 2026.
- District harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.