Wildlife and Birding
The Bitterroot Valley is host to a healthy wildlife population that can be seen on trails in the backcountry or out the window of your car.
| A winter range for elk that offers hiking, biking and horseback riding along the foothills of the Sapphire Mountains just east of Corvallis. Set out in search of an elk herd in the grasslands and ponderosa pine forests or watch for songbirds and raptors. The Wildlife Management Area is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Open April 15 - December 2 with restrictions in certain times of the year such as calving season. Hunting is allowed, check with Montana FWP for details. No dogs allowed from October 15 - May 14. |
| Location: |
Corvallis, MT |
| Visitors can enjoy wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretation on the Refuge. There are 2.5 miles of walking trails at two locations, the Wildlife Viewing Area (WVA) Trail and the Kenai Nature Trail. Both include a .25 mile of accessible asphalt-paved path. These two trails differ by wildlife habitats; the WVA trail meanders through riparian forest bordering the Bitterroot River while the Kenai Nature Trail (trailhead at Headquarters) borders grassland/wetland habitat offering an open landscape vista of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains. Don`t have enough time for a walk? Wildfowl Lane is the county road that bisects the Refuge providing drive-thru scenic views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife. |
| Location: |
Stevensville, MT |
| The Teller is a wildlife sanctuary running for 4 miles along the Bitterroot River near Corvallis. The land is managed by a private, non-profit organization working to conserve riparian habitat. Of the 1200 acres nearly 40 acres is open to the public, called the Teller Trail. Enjoy Teller`s National Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) status while you walk along the banks of the Bitterroot River and wander through approximately 40 acres of riparian (riverbottom) habitat. Moose, deer, mountain lion and over 145 species of birds have called Teller home. The approximate mile long trail loop can be used for hiking, bird watching and fishing the Bitterroot River. |
| Location: |
Corvallis, MT |
| Threemile Wildlife Management area encompasses 6,089 acres. The area may be accessed by two-wheel drive vehicles whenever roads are dry between May 15 and November 30. The area lends itself to mountain biking in summer, but motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited at Threemile. Few elk inhabit this Wildlife Management Area during summer, but they are often observable nonetheless. The most likely observations are of songbirds and raptors commonly found in upland grasslands and ponderosa pine forests. Threemile is closed to all visitation from December 1 through May 14. |
| Location: |
Stevensville, MT |
