Bordering British Columbia, this unit has a healthy moose herd on public and private land. Most land is in the Kaniksu National Forest, while the Kootenai River bottom and the southern end near Sandpoint are mostly private.

Hunters do well in this unit, which consistently produces bulls in the category of 34-38” along with a few bulls that have antlers spreading more than 40”.

This is a long, narrow unit that runs south from British Columbia. Terrain varies from low, flat river valleys to low hills and high mountains. Most ground is heavily forested and is between 4,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. Some peaks and ridges are more than 6,000 feet in elevation with the higher peaks exceeding 7,000 feet. Much terrain above 6,000 feet is steep and has a lot of exposed rock and cliffs. Some farms and pastures lie the Kootenai and Pend Oreille rivers. Most land is in the Kaniksu National Forest although the Purcell Trench is primarily private.

Much of this land has been logged and is a patchwork of forests and tracts that are in various stages of regrowth. Old growth forests are mostly composed of spruces, firs, cedars and pines. Clearcuts and old burns are covered with brush, grass, forbs, wildflowers, saplings and big trees with the vegetation depending on the time that has gone by since logging or forest fires opened up the forest canopy. Streams cut through many fields and are lined with brush. Chokecherries, aspens, junipers, ash trees, birches, serviceberries and hemlock are common plants. Low lands are mostly agricultural fields and pastures.

The Purcell Trench, which is a wide, fairly flat valley along the Kootenai River, is mostly private. A lot of deeded property also is near Sandpoint, mainly to north, west and southwest of town. Medium elevation and high land is mostly public land in the Kaniksu National Forest. Hunters can access much of the forest by driving or hiking. Some roadless tracts are so large that only horseback hunters can reasonably access them for moose hunting.

Camping is permitted along forest roads in the Kaniksu National Forest. Most campgrounds close in September. The Forest Service has new rules that require food and game carcasses to be kept from grizzlies and black bears.

Motels and RV parks are in Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint.

Bonners Valley lodging options:

Sandpoint lodging options: