Quick Tips
- You might see a grizzly or wolf
- Lake Pend Oreille has Kamloops trout from five to 30 pounds
- Priest Lake produces lake trout
- 800 to 3,000 year old cedars grow in Roosevelt Forest
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 150"+ |
| Elk | 270"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
Bordering Canada, this unit is mostly forested except for the highest parts of steep mountains and the agricultural flat lands along river valleys. Whitetail deer and elk thrive, while mule deer are in lower numbers.
The main attraction of this unit for trophy hunters is its whitetail deer herd.
Terrain
Most of this unit is composed of heavily forested mountains in the Kaniksu National Forest and the Priest Lake State Forest. Some of the mountains, especially those that are higher than 6,000 feet in elevation, are steep and rugged with a lot of exposed rock and cliffs. Several peaks are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Much timber grows on flat and hilly terrain. The Purcell trench, a flattened valley that is five to 10 miles wide, stretches for about 50 miles along the Kootenai River. The largest lake inside the unit is 19-mile-long Priest Lake.
Roughly 2,475 square miles
69.2% public land
Elevations from 2,200-7,200 feet
Vegetation
Spruces, firs, cedars and pines cover most of the land. The forests are a patchwork of old growth, clearcuts and tracts that have been replanted with saplings and are in various stages of regrowth. Meadows, crop fields and pastures are along river valleys. Streams cut through many fields and are lined with brush. Chokecherries, aspens, junipers, ash trees, birches, serviceberries and hemlock are common plants.
Access
Access to most public land is good, but there is a lot of private land, especially in valleys. Most of the Purcell Trench is private. Thousands of acres of private land lie north of the Pend Oreille River west and southwest of Sandpoint. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which is northwest of Bonners Ferry, is open to hunting.
Myrtle Creek and David Thompson game preserves are closed to hunting
Some trails are open to motorcycles
Some trails are open to ATVs no wider than 50”
Four-wheel drive is recommended on secondary and primitive roads
Kaniksu travel maps are available online
Camping and Lodging
Camping is permitted along forest roads in the Kaniksu National Forest, which maintains campgrounds near Sandpoint, Priest Lake and Bonners Ferry. Most campgrounds close in September. The Forest Service has new rules that require food and game carcasses in camps to be kept away from grizzlies and black bears. Motels and RV parks are in Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint.
Bonners Valley lodging options:
Northside Inn Bed & Breakfast
Sandpoint lodging options:
Sandpoint Vacation Rentals offers cabins, condos and homes
Guesthouse Lodge Sandpoint
Best Western Edgewater Resort
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