Bull River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Bull River Wildlife Management Area is 1,576 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 1, inside Hunting Districts 121 and 104. FWP lists black bear, elk, moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: Opens at noon on May 15.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Bull River WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestFWP landOther publicBull River WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,576 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 1, Northwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 121, HD 104 |
| Rules | Opens at noon on May 15. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions. |
| Elevation | 2338 ft |
| Nearest towns | Bull Lake (next to it), Heron (10 mi) and Noxon (15 mi) |
What is Bull River WMA for?
FWP bought Bull River WMA to protect bull trout and cutthroat trout habitat, to keep a wild corridor for grizzly bears, lynx and other wildlife between the East and West Cabinet Mountains, to keep winter range for elk, moose and deer from being subdivided, and to give public access.
From FWP's Bull River WMA page.
What are the rules on Bull River WMA?
Opens at noon on May 15. FWP's 2026 regulations list it as closed December 2 to May 15.
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: Bull River WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Bull River WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Bull River WMA: black bear, elk, moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: ducks, geese, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse.
Which hunting districts is Bull River WMA in?
Bull River WMA lies in 2 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 121 West Clark Fork | 1,034 | 237 (2025) | 1,155 (2025) |
| HD 104 Cabinets | 542 | 91 (2025) | 533 (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 Bull River WMA?
Between Troy and Noxon along the Bull River highway.
Highways within 8 miles: MT 56. Nearest towns: Bull Lake (next to it), Heron (10 miles), Noxon (15 miles) and Pioneer Junction (16 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Bull River WMA open?
Opens at noon on May 15, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Bull River WMA?
FWP lists black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, ducks, geese, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse for hunting or trapping on Bull River WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 121 and 104).
Can you camp on Bull River WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Bull River WMA, with no site fees., hiking trail, horseback riding trail, pack in/pack out and primitive. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Bull River WMA in?
HD 121 (1,034 acres) and HD 104 (542 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Bull River 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.