A Rare Access Opportunity Opens Up in Southwest Montana
Block Management rules and enrolled properties change every year. A new Region 3 Block Management Area that hunters may notice in this year’s guide is the USDA Agricultural Research Station (No. 5) south of the Centennial Valley.
The property is operated as a U.S. Sheep Experiment Station by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. This area is federally owned but categorically designated as “research lands,” which are not part of the national system of publicly accessible federal land. However, the property was historically mislabeled in some maps as BLM land, which has caused confusion for hunters.
Staff at the research facility and FWP worked together this year to enroll the property in Block Management so that some hunter access can continue while still adhering to federal laws that define the mission and allowable uses of the property. This property is split into east and west units, both enrolled as Type-2 Block Management areas that require hunters to sign up for access permission in advance. The day to sign up to hunt during the month of October is Monday, Sept. 21.
Why This Access Matters: The Centennial Valley Context
The Centennial Valley is one of the most remote and ecologically rich corridors in the lower 48 states. Flanked by the Centennial Mountains to the south and the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to the north, the valley sits at a high elevation and supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Pronghorn, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and upland birds all use this landscape, and the valley’s relative isolation means hunting pressure has historically been low compared to more accessible parts of southwest Montana.
That’s exactly what makes this Block Management enrollment such a notable development for Region 3 hunters. Access to private and research lands in this corner of the state is exceptionally limited. The addition of the USDA Agricultural Research Station — even under the structured Type-2 framework — opens a stretch of ground that many hunters have driven past for years without any legal way to set foot on it.
The research station itself covers a significant tract of land used for sheep grazing studies. The terrain is typical of the upper Centennial: open sagebrush flats, riparian draws, and rolling grassland that transitions into more rugged foothills country. That mix of habitat is exactly what game animals key on during the early part of hunting season, making an October draw particularly appealing.
Understanding the Block Management Program
Montana’s Block Management Program is one of the most successful hunter access programs in the American West. Administered by FWP, the program compensates landowners — and in this case, coordinates with a federal agency — to allow public hunting access on private and qualifying lands that would otherwise be off-limits. In exchange, participating landowners and land managers receive support ranging from direct payments to technical wildlife assistance.
For hunters, Block Management areas are listed in an annual guide published by FWP each fall. The guide includes maps, contact information, access rules, and any species or season restrictions that apply to each enrolled property. It’s essential reading before you head out.
Type-1 vs. Type-2: Know the Difference Before You Go
Not all Block Management areas work the same way. Understanding the distinction between Type-1 and Type-2 areas is critical before you make the drive out to the Centennial.
- Type-1 areas are open to walk-in access during specified dates without any advance contact required. Hunters simply check in at the designated box, sign in, and go.
- Type-2 areas require hunters to contact the landowner or land manager in advance to obtain permission before accessing the property. Access is not guaranteed and may be limited by hunter numbers, specific dates, or other conditions set by the managing party.
The USDA Agricultural Research Station east and west units are both Type-2, which means showing up unannounced is not an option. Plan ahead, follow the sign-up process as directed, and respect whatever conditions are attached to your permission. This is a federally managed research facility first and a hunting area second — the cooperation that made this enrollment possible depends entirely on hunters behaving accordingly.
How to Sign Up to Hunt This Area
The sign-up date for October hunting access on this property is Monday, Sept. 21. Missing that window likely means missing out, so mark your calendar now and follow the official FWP process carefully.
Learn how to sign up to hunt this area here: http://fwp.mt.gov/…/region3/maps/5_usda_ars_2026.pdf
The PDF map linked above provides boundary information for both the east and west units. Print it or download it to your phone before you go — cell service in the Centennial Valley is unreliable at best, and knowing exactly where the enrolled boundaries fall is non-negotiable on a property that abuts a federal research facility.
Tips for Hunting New Ground in Remote Southwest Montana
Whether this is your first trip to the Centennial Valley or you’ve been hunting the surrounding country for years, hunting a newly enrolled Block Management area — especially one with a Type-2 requirement — calls for a little extra preparation. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Do Your Homework on the Regulations
Because this property has a unique federal designation, hunters should verify all applicable rules directly with FWP before the season opens. Species restrictions, legal hunting hours, and any equipment limitations that apply to the broader hunting district will still apply on this land. Check current FWP regulations and confirm the details when you sign up for access.
Scout Remotely Before You Commit
The Centennial Valley is a long drive from most Montana population centers, and the roads leading into it can be rough, especially after early fall weather moves through. Use onX Hunt or a similar mapping tool to study the terrain on both the east and west units before you make the trip. Look for drainages, water sources, and transition zones between sagebrush and grassland — those are the kinds of features that concentrate game in early October.
Pack for the Country
High elevation, unpredictable weather, and genuine remoteness define the Centennial. Come prepared for cold temperatures, wind, and the possibility of snow even in early October. A broken-down vehicle or an unexpected storm here is a serious situation. Let someone know your plans, carry emergency gear, and don’t rely on your phone for navigation once you leave pavement.
Respect the Research Mission
It bears repeating: this is an active federal research station. The enrollment in Block Management is the result of a cooperative relationship that FWP and station staff worked to build. How hunters conduct themselves on this property this year will directly influence whether that relationship continues. Pack out your trash, stay within the enrolled boundaries, and treat the opportunity with the seriousness it deserves.
The Bigger Picture: Access in Region 3
Region 3 — covering southwest Montana including Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, and surrounding counties — is home to some of the most coveted hunting country in the state. But it’s also a region where large private landholdings and the complicated patchwork of federal, state, and private ownership can make access challenging for hunters without connections or the means to draw limited-entry permits.
Block Management has long been one of the most effective tools for bridging that gap. Enrollments like this one — especially on ground that was previously inaccessible due to its federal research designation — represent exactly the kind of creative problem-solving that the program was designed to encourage. When a federal agency and FWP can work together to open ground that hunters have been locked out of for years, that’s a win worth paying attention to.
Check with FWP for current rules and regulations related to properties enrolled in Block Management. For more information on other access opportunities, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement/guide-maps
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