Gallatin Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Gallatin Wildlife Management Area is 8,653 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 3, inside Hunting District 310. FWP lists bighorn sheep, black bear, elk, moose, mountain goat, mountain lion and mule deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's 2026 regulations list Gallatin WMA as closed December 2 to May 15, and the Gallatin Special Management Area, on FWP and national forest land, is closed to deer and elk hunting except elk on permit 310-46.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Gallatin WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestFWP landNational park (no hunting)Other publicGallatin WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 8,653 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 3, Southwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 310 |
| Rules | Walk-in access. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Walk-in. |
| Elevation | 8121 ft |
| Nearest towns | Big Sky (4 mi), Corwin Springs (15 mi) and Hebgen Lake Estates (18 mi) |
What is Gallatin WMA for?
Gallatin WMA is about 8,600 acres checkerboarded with national forest land south of Big Sky, in three main units: Porcupine (along the Gallatin River and Porcupine Creek), Buffalo Horn (11 parcels along US 191 near the corner of Yellowstone National Park) and Deadhorse (along Deadhorse Creek). FWP's main goal for it is winter range for elk and moose.
From FWP's Gallatin WMA page.
What are the rules on Gallatin WMA?
Walk-in access. FWP's 2026 regulations list Gallatin WMA as closed December 2 to May 15, and the Gallatin Special Management Area, on FWP and national forest land, is closed to deer and elk hunting except elk on permit 310-46.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Walk-in.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Gallatin WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Gallatin WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Gallatin WMA: bighorn sheep, black bear, elk, moose, mountain goat, mountain lion and mule deer. Also listed: blue grouse, pine marten, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse.
Which hunting districts is Gallatin WMA in?
All of Gallatin WMA lies in Hunting District 310. 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 310 Upper Gallatin | 8,644 | 58 (2025) | 74 (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 Gallatin WMA?
Highways within 8 miles: US 191 and MT 64. Nearest towns: Big Sky (4 miles), Corwin Springs (15 miles), Hebgen Lake Estates (18 miles) and South Glastonbury (18 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Gallatin WMA open?
FWP's 2026 regulations list Gallatin WMA as closed December 2 to May 15, and the Gallatin Special Management Area, on FWP and national forest land, is closed to deer and elk hunting except elk on permit 310-46. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Gallatin WMA?
FWP lists bighorn sheep, black bear, blue grouse, elk, moose, mountain goat, mountain lion, mule deer, pine marten, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse for hunting or trapping on Gallatin WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 310).
Can you camp on Gallatin WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Gallatin WMA, with pack in/pack out. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Gallatin WMA in?
All of it is in Hunting District 310 (Upper Gallatin).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Gallatin 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.