HD 130 covers the Potomac and Greenough area in the upper Blackfoot Valley—rolling timbered foothills and valley floor east of Missoula where the Blackfoot River and its tributaries wind through a patchwork of ranch land and national forest. Elevations range from about 3,800 feet on the Blackfoot River to 7,000 feet on the surrounding forested ridges. The valley floor is a mix of irrigated hay fields, CRP grasslands, and cottonwood river bottoms that create a rich mosaic of wildlife habitat. The foothills carry ponderosa pine and Douglas fir parklands that transition into denser lodgepole and mixed-conifer forests on the higher ridges. Elk move freely between the timbered ridges and the valley-floor ag land, creating classic conflict-zone dynamics where ranchers want animal numbers managed and hunters want access to the animals doing the damage. Land ownership is a checkerboard of Lolo National Forest, state trust sections, private ranches, and timber company lands with varying access policies. MT-200 follows the Blackfoot River and provides easy highway access, with county and forest roads branching into the foothills on both sides. Potomac has a store and bar; Missoula is 20 minutes west with everything you could need. Cell service is good along the highway and fades in the timber. Block Management is critical here—several ranches enroll and provide walk-in access to ground that holds wintering elk and whitetail year after year. The proximity to Missoula guarantees competition for the best spots, but the landscape is big enough to absorb the pressure if you are willing to walk past the first ridge. Valley-floor whitetail hunting during the late-November rut can be exceptional, and elk that have been hazed off the ag fields by frustrated ranchers often settle on the timbered benches just above the valley. HD 130 (Potomac / Greenough / upper Blackfoot) is a checkerboard landscape of national forest, timber company land, private ranches, and state trust sections where elk move freely between timbered ridges and valley-floor ag land. General elk tags are available OTC for residents. Block Management is critical here — several ranches enroll and provide walk-in access to ground that holds wintering elk and whitetail. The proximity to Missoula (20 minutes) guarantees competition for the best spots. Lolo National Forest covers the timbered ridges. No designated wilderness exists. Elk that damage hay fields and compete with cattle create rancher frustration, and FWP responds with liberal B-licenses (cow tags) to manage numbers — shoulder-season cow hunts can be extremely productive on Block Management properties. The Garnet Range to the south absorbs hunters and rewards those willing to hike past the first ridge. Valley-floor whitetail hunting during the late-November rut can be exceptional. The key to this HD is knowing the Block Management system and applying early for the best ranches.