By editor
Lewis and Clark County, North of Helena
The Beartooth Wildlife Management Area spans over thirty thousand acres of the rugged eastern foothills of the Big Belt Mountains. It is a landscape of steep, timbered ridges, deep canyons, and sweeping, grassy benches. Managed primarily as winter range for elk and mule deer, it is also a superb, under-the-radar birding location.
The diversity of habitats here supports a wide range of species. The grassy benches are excellent for observing Vesper Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, and hunting Golden Eagles. In the ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, birders can find Cassin's Finches, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Mountain Chickadees. The deep, rocky canyons, such as the corridor along the Missouri River, provide nesting sites for Prairie Falcons and Canyon Wrens.
Visitor Access
Managed by Montana FWP, the WMA requires a Montana Conservation License for entry. To protect wintering big game, the entire WMA is closed to all public access from December 1 through May 14. During the open season, access is via a network of primitive dirt roads that require high-clearance vehicles. Dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas.