Unit 380

Crow Peak anchors the western divide boundary and serves as a major orientation point. The Limestone Hills dominate the western portion with their distinctive ridge systems and open faces—prime glassing country. Canyon Ferry Lake provides visual reference and water security on the eastern side.

Crow Creek Falls marks a reliable drainage system worth investigating. The numerous parks—Cooney, Elk, Sheep, Sagebrush, Half Moon, and others—create natural gathering areas and feed zones. These parks break up the timbered terrain and offer both glassing vantage points and transition zones between timber and open country.

The unit rises from roughly 3,800 feet along Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Missouri River bottom up to nearly 9,400 feet in the high basins and ridges. Lower elevations feature sagebrush parks and grasslands interspersed with ponderosa and Douglas-fir timber. Mid-elevation country transitions through mixed conifer stands with openings like Cooney Park, Elk Park, and Sheep Park that break up the forest.

Higher ridges and the Limestone Hills support scattered alpine and subalpine habitat. The moderate forest coverage reflects a landscape of alternating timbered slopes and extensive park systems—characteristic Montana foothills habitat.

Approximately 1,487 miles of road network thread through the unit with clear access from Helena and surrounding towns. Indian Creek Road, USFS Road 4031, Route 518, and highway corridors provide connected, well-established access. The unit is close enough to Helena to experience regular hunter presence, but size and terrain complexity allow separation from pressure.

Private land scattered throughout requires route planning, but the connected road system and public land base create legitimate hunting opportunity. Most access concentrates along main corridors—savvy hunters pushing into ridge systems and high parks can find solitude.

Unit 380 is anchored by the Missouri River corridor and Canyon Ferry Reservoir on its eastern boundary, with the Continental Divide trending west from Crow Peak marking the watershed divide. The unit spans three counties—Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson—and encompasses the foothill zone immediately east of Helena between the major river system and the high country drainages. Interstate 15 and US Highway 12-287 form clear access corridors along the unit's margins.

This is transitional country between the river valleys and the Elkhorn Mountains, covering significant terrain diversity across moderate elevation bands.

This unit benefits from abundant and reliable water. Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Missouri River provide perennial water along the eastern boundary. Crow Creek runs through the western portions with falls and reliable flow.

Numerous named creeks including Muskrat, Nursery, Golconda, Badger, and McKanna Spring Creek drain the high country. Springs are distributed throughout—Hope, Cherry, Silver Rock, White Rock, Spears Gulch, Pete, and Half Moon Springs offer consistent water sources across the unit. This water abundance is significant for sheep hunting, reducing reliance on finding seasonal sources and supporting year-round habitat capability.

Unit 380 holds mountain sheep in the Limestone Hills and associated ridge systems, particularly the higher elevations and cliff-broken terrain. Early season hunting can focus on high parks and subalpine basins where sheep gather. Mid and late season pressure sheep toward higher, steeper ridges and cliff country where escape terrain dominates.

Glassing from ridge saddles and park overlooks is effective across much of the unit. Creeks and springs throughout support sheep movement, making drainage headwaters and park margins productive. The abundant water means sheep aren't forced to predictable source areas.

Success requires patience, good glass work, and willingness to cover vertical terrain—the moderate complexity means the country isn't overwhelming but demands competent mountain hunting.