Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area is 29,343 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 2, inside Hunting Districts 282, 281, 285 and 292. FWP lists black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: The WMA opens to the public at noon on May 15 each year.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landBlackfoot-Clearwater WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 29,343 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 2, West-central Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 282, HD 281, HD 285, HD 292 |
| Rules | The WMA opens to the public at noon on May 15 each year. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Please contact the regional office for more information. |
| Nearest towns | Ovando (4 mi), Seeley Lake (5 mi) and Potomac (11 mi) |
What is Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA for?
FWP says the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA's main job is winter range for elk and deer.
From FWP's Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA page.
What are the rules on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA?
The WMA opens to the public at noon on May 15 each year. Camping is allowed for up to 16 days. Grizzly bears live here, so food storage orders apply. Groups of more than 15 people and any commercial use need a permit.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Please contact the regional office for more information.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA: black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: ducks, dusky grouse, geese, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse.
Which hunting districts is Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA in?
Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA lies in 4 deer and elk districts. 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 282 Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA | 21,357 | 31 (2025) | 104 (2025) |
| HD 281 Upper Blackfoot | 6,707 | 77 (2025) | 373 (2025) |
| HD 285 Monture | 1,062 | 113 (2025) | 1,107 (2025) |
| HD 292 West Garnet Range | 217 | 121 (2025) | 531 (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 Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA?
Located in Missoula and Powell counties, take MT Highway 200 east approximately 6 miles from its junction with MT Highway 83 to Woodworth county road. Follow Woodworth county road north approximately 2 miles to the main entrance.
Highways within 8 miles: MT 200, MT 83 and MT 141. Nearest towns: Ovando (4 miles), Seeley Lake (5 miles), Potomac (11 miles) and Helmville (12 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA open?
The WMA opens to the public at noon on May 15 each year, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA?
FWP lists black bear, ducks, dusky grouse, elk, geese, mule deer, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse and white-tailed deer for hunting or trapping on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 282, 281, 285 and 292).
Can you camp on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA, with bike trail, hiking trail, horseback riding trail, pack in/pack out, parking and ramp (dirt). Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA in?
HD 282 (21,357 acres), HD 281 (6,707 acres), HD 285 (1,062 acres) and HD 292 (217 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
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, Blackfoot-Clearwater 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.