Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area is 2,415 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 2, inside Hunting District 261. 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: Open to non-motorized access from noon May 15 to December 1.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Calf Creek WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestState trust landFWP landOther publicCalf Creek WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,415 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 2, West-central Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 261 |
| Rules | Open to non-motorized access from noon May 15 to December 1. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Area is open to non-motorized access from May 15 through December 1. Recreationists accompanied by dogs from May 15 through October 14. Partial opening April 15 through May 14. For more information, please contact the Region 2 Headquarter offi... |
| Elevation | 5074 ft |
| Nearest towns | Corvallis (5 mi), Hamilton (7 mi) and Pinesdale (10 mi) |
What is Calf Creek WMA for?
Calf Creek WMA is managed mainly as winter range for elk, with open grass and shrubland, creek bottoms and timber. FWP says hunting there is on foot, horseback or mountain bike, and elk are the main quarry.
From FWP's Calf Creek WMA page.
What are the rules on Calf Creek WMA?
Open to non-motorized access from noon May 15 to December 1. FWP's 2026 regulations list it as closed December 2 to May 15, and HD 261's regulations apply.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Area is open to non-motorized access from May 15 through December 1. Recreationists accompanied by dogs from May 15 through October 14. Partial opening April 15 through May 14. For more information, please contact the Region 2 Headquarter offi...
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Calf Creek WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Calf Creek WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Calf Creek WMA: black bear, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: blue grouse and ruffed grouse.
Which hunting districts is Calf Creek WMA in?
All of Calf Creek WMA lies in Hunting District 261. 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 261 East Bitterroot | 2,415 | 57 (2025) | 183 (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 Calf Creek WMA?
In Ravalli County, Calf Creek WMA is located 8 miles east of Hamilton. From Missoula, take US Highway 93 south about 40 miles to the Corvallis turnoff. Turn east onto Route 373 and drive 2 miles to the town of Corvallis. Turn right (south) onto the East Side Highway then east on Hamilton Heights Road. Drive to the end of Hamilton Heights Road to WMA.
Highways within 8 miles: MT 38, US 93, MT 269, MT 373 and MT 531. Nearest towns: Corvallis (5 miles), Hamilton (7 miles), Pinesdale (10 miles) and Victor (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Calf Creek WMA open?
Open to non-motorized access from noon May 15 to December 1, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Calf Creek WMA?
FWP lists black bear, blue grouse, elk, mule deer, ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer for hunting or trapping on Calf Creek WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 261).
Can you camp on Calf Creek WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Calf Creek WMA, with bike trail, hiking trail, horseback riding trail, pack in/pack out and parking. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Calf Creek WMA in?
All of it is in Hunting District 261 (East Bitterroot).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Calf Creek 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.