Marias River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Marias River Wildlife Management Area is 7,772 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 4, inside Hunting District 406. FWP lists antelope, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: Open from noon April 1 to 11:59 pm January 1.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Marias River WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
BLMState trust landFWP landOther publicMarias River WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 7,772 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 4, North-central Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 406 |
| Rules | Open from noon April 1 to 11:59 pm January 1. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Refer to current hunting regulations for hunting and weapons restrictions. |
| Elevation | 3181 ft |
| Nearest towns | Shelby (6 mi), Valier (12 mi) and Cut Bank (14 mi) |
What is Marias River WMA for?
FWP's Fish and Wildlife Commission set a random drawing for deer hunters' access to Marias River WMA, southwest of Shelby in HD 406. Deer hunters apply for access periods in the archery season or the general rifle season; hunting for every other species is open.
From FWP's Marias River WMA page.
What are the rules on Marias River WMA?
Open from noon April 1 to 11:59 pm January 1. Deer hunting on the WMA needs an access permit from FWP's drawing.
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: Marias River WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Marias River WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Marias River WMA: antelope, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: ducks, geese and sharp-tailed grouse.
Which hunting districts is Marias River WMA in?
All of Marias River WMA lies in Hunting District 406. 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 406 Upper Marias-Dupuyer | 7,772 | 7 (2025) | 445 (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 Marias River WMA?
From I-15, Exit 358 east to Marias Valley Road, North 3.5 miles, turn west on Hjartarson Road, for 10.2 miles, then south 2.5 miles.
Highways within 8 miles: I-15, US 2, MT 44 and MT 67. Nearest towns: Shelby (6 miles), Valier (12 miles), Cut Bank (14 miles) and Little Browning (15 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Marias River WMA open?
Open from noon April 1 to 11:59 pm January 1, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Marias River WMA?
FWP lists antelope, ducks, elk, geese, mule deer, sharp-tailed grouse and white-tailed deer for hunting or trapping on Marias River WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 406).
Can you camp on Marias River WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Marias River WMA, with pack in/pack out. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Marias River WMA in?
All of it is in Hunting District 406 (Upper Marias-Dupuyer).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Marias 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.