Iron Mask Land Acquisition, Phase III inside the target area
Project Name: Iron Mask Land Acquisition, Phase III
Sponsor: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and The Conservation Fund
Year: 2006 - two grants
Grant Amount: $240,000 & $300,000
Total Project Cost: $2,775,000
Project: Just south of Helena, Montana, the 5,548 acre Iron Mask property is part of 8,000 acres of habitat in the Elkhorn Mountains that will be maintained as undeveloped timbered foothills and open range land.
Purpose: Provide year-round protection of critical winter range for up to 300 elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer.
This project brings communities, landowners and hunters together in a far-reaching effort to improve the preserve the more than 20,000 acres of Elkhorn Mountain habitat where so many wild species find refuge. With the help of funds from the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Conservation Trust and other partners, the Iron Mask property maintains its natural integrity and protects critical winter range for up to 300 elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer. Public recreational access opened nearly 5,500 acres on the property that was previously closed;.adjoining public lands will allow widespread hunting access.
Directions: South of Helena, Montana and north of Townsend, Montana. Turn west off of MT 287 on Indian Creek Road traveling west.
Restrictions: None