Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area is 5,920 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 3, inside Hunting Districts 380 and 391. FWP lists moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Canyon Ferry WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landBureau of ReclamationOther publicCanyon Ferry WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 5,920 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 3, Southwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 380, HD 391 |
| Rules | Hunting follows the HD 380 and 391 regulations; FWP's 2026 tables give the WMA white-tailed deer licenses of its own (395-01). |
| Camping | Not listed in FWP's area data |
| Hunter access | Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions. |
| Nearest towns | Townsend (next to it), The Silos (next to it) and Winston (7 mi) |
What is Canyon Ferry WMA for?
Canyon Ferry WMA, about 5,920 acres, lies just north of Townsend where the Missouri River enters Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Most of it is Bureau of Reclamation land that FWP manages under an agreement dating to 1957, with farm leases and waterfowl ponds managed for waterfowl, pheasants, white-tailed deer, moose and other wildlife.
From FWP's Canyon Ferry WMA page.
What are the rules on Canyon Ferry WMA?
Hunting follows the HD 380 and 391 regulations; FWP's 2026 tables give the WMA white-tailed deer licenses of its own (395-01). Trapping is by permit only.
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: Canyon Ferry WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Canyon Ferry WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Canyon Ferry WMA: moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: ducks, geese, gray partridge (Hungarian partridge), mourning dove and ring-necked pheasant.
Which hunting districts is Canyon Ferry WMA in?
Canyon Ferry 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 380 Radersburg | 3,451 | 419 (2025) | 723 (2025) |
| HD 391 Dry Creek-Avalanche | 2,469 | 313 (2025) | 677 (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 Canyon Ferry WMA?
The Canyon Ferry WMA is located just north of Townsend on the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. It is accessible from U.S. Hwy 12/287, Canton Lane on the northeast side of Townsend, and from four roads (Riley Road, Lower Ray Creek Road, Meyer Road, and Lower Dry Gulch Road) that come off of State Hwy 284.
Highways within 8 miles: US 12 and US 287. Nearest towns: Townsend (next to it), The Silos (next to it), Winston (7 miles) and Radersburg (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Canyon Ferry WMA?
FWP lists moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, ducks, geese, gray partridge (Hungarian partridge), mourning dove and ring-necked pheasant for hunting or trapping on Canyon Ferry WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 380 and 391).
Can you camp on Canyon Ferry WMA?
FWP does not list camping on Canyon Ferry WMA.
Which hunting district is Canyon Ferry WMA in?
HD 380 (3,451 acres) and HD 391 (2,469 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Canyon Ferry 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.