The Helena's diversity allows for a variety of wildlife. Those interested in glimpsing some of the more magnificent big game should visit the 129,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit southeast of the city of Helena. These beautiful mountain lands, co-managed with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, form the only Forest Service designated recreation and wildlife management area in the entire country. Grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, and mineral exploration all take place here. But managers also pay close attention to the animals—especially the thriving elk herd. Some of the wildlife habitat improvements on the Elkhorn, such as the prescribed burning of sage fields to promote the growth of native grasses, have been paid for by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Visitors here also stand a good chance of catching frequent glimpses of mule and white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, and mountain goat. Mountain lions also call this region home, but both patience and luck are needed to actually spot these shy creatures.
Elsewhere on the Helena National Forest, those with binoculars are likely to spot both bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. Waterfowl and shore birds, as well as antelope, can be found along the perimeter of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Many bald eagles spend the early part of winter in the Canyon Ferry area, between York Bridge and Canyon Ferry Dam, feeding on kokanee salmon. Wintering bald eagles can be seen along the Blackfoot River west of Lincoln, and golden eagles are frequently spotted at Avalanche Creek, as well as in the Big Belt Mountains at Hellgate Canyon.
Red-tailed hawks, eagles, osprey, and prairie falcons can be spotted at the Gates of the Mountains, along with mergansers, grebes, bighorn sheep, river otters, and even an occasional loon. Those who journey through the Gates of the Mountains by concessionaire boat can make a leisurely stopover at the lovely Meriwether Picnic Area—the original campsite of the westward-bound Lewis and Clark party. Because this spot is accessible only by water or trail, it has retained a certain quiet, untrammeled beauty that few developed recreation sites enjoy. About a mile upstream from the picnic area is the idyllic Coulter Campground.
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