Quick Tips
- Buy a whitetail deer tag
- Do not get stuck in backcountry by snowstorms
- Carry a GPS to avoid getting lost
On The Ground
Hunters take a few moose in this unit which includes a peninsula between the North Fork and Little North Fork that runs east another 25 miles.
Bull moose in this unit are hard to hunt because of limited numbers, steep terrain, dense forests and moose that are accustomed to avoiding predators. Extremely tough hunt for a chance at a 32-38” bull.
Terrain
This area is made up of low mountains with steep canyons along Kelly Creek, Dworshak Reservoir and the North Fork of the Clearwater River. The western tip has some state and private land along the shores of the reservoir, while the rest of the unit is national forest. High points in the pioneer area are Larkins Peak, Black Mountain and East Sister peak. Pot Mountain at 7,139 feet in elevation and Pot Mountain Ridge, which runs down to about 6,000 feet, are the most dominant features of the southern part of the unit. Most land is between 2,500 and 5,500 feet above sea level.
Roughly 332 square miles
99.4% public land
Elevations from 2,500-7,100 feet
Vegetation
The highest mountains are rocky, rugged and open, including Pot Hill, Pot Hill Ridge, Mallard Peak and Heart Peak. Large, grassy meadows and subalpine basins full of brush, scattered trees, forbs and wildflowers can be found here. Conifer forests cover flat and moderately steep land along with northern and eastern slopes. Firs, larches, pines, spruces, aspens and cedars grow densely and provide escape cover for moose. Moose usually feed on willows, birches and alders along creek bottoms. Berry bushes can be found in shady areas and near rock slides.
Access
Much of the land is roadless, including the southern half of the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area. Plan to use horses to reach areas three to five miles from the closest roads. The land between the Little North Fork and the North Fork is largely state land. A few primitive roads provide access in the western part. Many roads in the western section and in the Pot Mountain region are limited to ATVs less than 50” wide.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
ATVs are needed on some primitive roads
A few trails are restricted to motorcycles or horses
Some remote canyons require a one to three-mile hike
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along roads. No towns with lodging are nearby. Nine campgrounds are in the unit on the southern edge. Kelly Forks Campground is a developed fee site with 14 spots and a group campground.
Campgrounds that can be found in the North Fork of the Clearwater River corridor include:
Aquarius Campground east of Dworshak Reservoir
Hidden Creek Campground northeast of Elizabeth Mountain
Washington Creek Campground on the western edge
Historical Temperatures
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