Sun River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sun River Wildlife Management Area is 19,745 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 4, inside Hunting Districts 425 and 442. 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 May 15 to December 1.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Sun River WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestBLMState trust landFWP landSun River WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 19,745 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 4, North-central Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 425, HD 442 |
| Rules | Open from noon May 15 to December 1. |
| Camping | Allowed (FWP) |
| Hunter access | See travel plan map. Travel plan specifies open/closes roads and specific parking/camping locations. Grizzly bear alert/presence! |
| Elevation | 4962 ft |
| Nearest towns | Augusta (8 mi), Gilman (10 mi) and Choteau (23 mi) |
What is Sun River WMA for?
FWP set up the Sun River WMA in 1948 as winter range for the Sun River elk herd. FWP says up to 95 percent of the herd winters on the WMA. It sits on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain Front, in foothill grassland, timber and creek bottoms.
From FWP's Sun River WMA page.
What are the rules on Sun River WMA?
Open from noon May 15 to December 1. A travel plan map sets the access road and the places to park and camp. Grizzly and black bears are present, and FWP's food storage rules apply. Commercial use is not allowed.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: See travel plan map. Travel plan specifies open/closes roads and specific parking/camping locations. Grizzly bear alert/presence!
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Sun River WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Sun River WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Sun River WMA: antelope, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: mountain grouse and sharp-tailed grouse.
Which hunting districts is Sun River WMA in?
Sun River 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 425 Sun River WMA | 18,672 | 98 (2025) | 203 (2025) |
| HD 442 Sun River | 1,072 | 44 (2025) | 94 (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 Sun River WMA?
In northern Lewis and Clark County, approximately 9 miles northwest of Augusta. The north edge of the WMA is south of the Sun River as it leaves Sun Canyon. From Augusta, take the Gibson Reservoir/Sun Canyon Road northwest approximately 3.5 miles. Where the road splits, take the left fork to the counties road end at WMA Boundary.
Nearest towns: Augusta (8 miles), Gilman (10 miles), Choteau (23 miles) and Fairfield (27 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Sun River WMA open?
Open 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 Sun River WMA?
FWP lists antelope, elk, mountain grouse, mule deer, sharp-tailed grouse and white-tailed deer for hunting or trapping on Sun River WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 425 and 442).
Can you camp on Sun River WMA?
FWP lists camping as allowed on Sun River WMA, with pack in/pack out, primitive campsite and toilet (vault). Follow the area's posted rules.
Which hunting district is Sun River WMA in?
HD 425 (18,672 acres) and HD 442 (1,072 acres), by FWP's boundaries.
Get a Montana hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Montana are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Montana included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Sun 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.