Unit 380

Elkhorn Peak and the Elkhorn Mountains anchor the country and offer orientation from distance. Canyon Ferry Reservoir on the east is unmistakable and useful for establishing position. Devils Fence Ridge and Mike Murray Ridge provide natural travel corridors and glassing vantage points.

Crow Creek Falls marks notable drainage terrain. The Limestone Hills and associated features form a training area but shouldn't deter hunting. Scattered meadows—Turnley Meadows, Sagebrush Park, Elk Park, Sheep Park—identify terrain breaks useful for locating moose.

These parks, along with named creeks like Elkhorn Creek and Warm Springs Creek, serve as practical navigation checkpoints.

Terrain starts in the 3,600-foot range at river level and climbs to nearly 9,400 feet on the divide. Most of the hunting country sits in the lower-to-middle elevations, with sagebrush-covered parks dotting the landscape between forested ridges. Timber is moderate overall—mixed conifer stands alternate with open meadows and grassland.

The flatter badge reflects the foothills character: rolling rather than steep, but broken enough to offer terrain features. Willow thickets cluster along creeks and seepage areas, particularly important for moose. Transition zones between sagebrush and timber create good movement corridors.

Over 1,600 miles of road connects the unit—substantial infrastructure that makes this fairly accessible country. USFS roads (4031, 424) and local ranch roads provide multiple entry points. Route 518, Route 284, and US 12-287 border the unit.

The connected road network means most terrain is reachable by vehicle or short walk, reducing wilderness feel but simplifying logistics. This likely concentrates pressure on accessible drainages and parks, making strategy about finding moose where fewer hunters venture—higher elevation willow pockets and less obvious seeps. Hunting Gulch and similar named drainages are worth investigating precisely because names exist.

Unit 380 is a substantial chunk of country in Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson Counties. It's bounded by the Missouri River and Canyon Ferry Reservoir on the east, the Boulder-Missouri Divide on the south, Interstate 15 and US Highway 12-287 on the north and west. Townsend serves as the primary reference point on the east side, with Helena and Montana City accessible from the western boundary.

The unit encompasses a mix of agricultural valleys, foothills, and lower mountain terrain—substantial enough to absorb pressure but defined enough to navigate.

Water access is solid. Canyon Ferry Lake anchors the east side, while the Missouri River defines the boundary. Perennial streams include Elkhorn Creek, Warm Springs Creek, Farnham Creek, and Golconda Creek—all reliable for water and moose habitat.

Numerous named springs scattered throughout (Hunters Spring, Silver Spring, Rogers Spring, Half Moon Springs, among others) reduce the weight of water concerns. Willow Swamp and associated wet areas concentrate moose during summer. Canyon bottoms and creek drainages hold water predictably.

The moderate water badge reflects this access: not abundant like high country but not sparse either.

Unit 380 is moose country, and the habitat supports them across elevation zones. Willow-lined creeks and seepage areas in the foothills and lower canyons concentrate moose, especially during rut in fall. Early season focus on higher-elevation willow patches as temperatures warm.

Mid-season (September-October) moose move to rut zones and respond to calling in brushy drainages. Late season finds them dropping to lower, snow-free creek bottoms. The road access is double-edged: it enables efficient scouting and reduces foot traffic, but it also means popular areas receive pressure quickly.

Exploring the less-obvious drainages—Anderson Gulch, Wood Gulch, Cabin Gulch—away from main roads rewards deliberate effort. Water features throughout mean moose don't concentrate desperately; expect patient stalking and good optics over ambush hunting.