Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area is 1,557 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 1, inside Hunting Districts 170 and 103. FWP lists black bear, elk and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: Opens at noon on April 14; walk-in.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Ray Kuhns WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestState trust landFWP landOther publicRay Kuhns WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,557 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 1, Northwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 170, HD 103 |
| Rules | Opens at noon on April 14; walk-in. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | Walk-in. |
| Elevation | 2989 ft |
| Nearest towns | Rhodes (2 mi), Whitefish (7 mi) and Kalispell (7 mi) |
What are the rules on Ray Kuhns WMA?
Opens at noon on April 14; walk-in. FWP's 2026 regulations list Kuhns WMA as closed December 2 to April 1.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Walk-in.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Ray Kuhns WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Ray Kuhns WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Ray Kuhns WMA: black bear, elk and white-tailed deer. Also listed: beaver, bobcat, coots, ducks, geese, mink, muskrat, otter, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, snipe and wild turkey.
Which hunting districts is Ray Kuhns WMA in?
Ray Kuhns 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 170 Flathead River | 1,126 | 67 (2025) | 1,772 (2025) |
| HD 103 South Salish | 431 | 154 (2025) | 1,715 (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 Ray Kuhns WMA?
Located on Farm-to-Market Road between Kalispell and Whitefish.
Highways within 8 miles: US 93, MT 424, US 2 and MT 40. Nearest towns: Rhodes (2 miles), Whitefish (7 miles), Kalispell (7 miles) and Helena Flats (8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Ray Kuhns WMA open?
Opens at noon on April 14; walk-in, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Ray Kuhns WMA?
FWP lists beaver, black bear, bobcat, coots, ducks, elk, geese, mink, muskrat, otter, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, snipe, white-tailed deer and wild turkey for hunting or trapping on Ray Kuhns WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 170 and 103).
Can you camp on Ray Kuhns WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Ray Kuhns WMA, with horseback riding trail, pack in/pack out and parking. Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Ray Kuhns WMA in?
HD 170 (1,126 acres) and HD 103 (431 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Ray Kuhns 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.