This largely public unit found west of Bear Lake bordering Utah offers high success moose hunting and some trophy-size animals.

This unit produces some big moose every year. Hunters have excellent access to National Forest land. Most hunters find bulls with antlers from 36-40” wide.

The western two-thirds of this area is public land in the Bear River Range and is mountainous, largely forested and not rugged. The eastern third is private and made up of foothills. The National Forest and a lot of foothills are moderately steep. The southern border of this area is Utah’s Cache moose unit which is managed conservatively and has many mature bulls, some of which periodically wander across the state line. The eastern border follows the spine of the Bear River Range and runs between 8,700 to 9,100 feet in elevation.

The National Forest is covered by aspens, Douglas firs, Engelmann, blue spruces, subalpine firs, chokecherry bushes, mahoganies and grasses. The backbone of the Bear River Range is open with grassy, brushy meadows and openings scattered in the forest. Foothills are covered with sagebrush, bigtooth maple brush, mahoganies, junipers, scattered conifers and aspens. Ceanothus is common at high elevations. Private flat lands are planted in alfalfa and grass hay with hilly sections used as grazing rangeland. Creek bottoms are choked with willows. This land is ideal for long range glassing from high vantage points.

Access to the National Forest is good with public roads crossing private land on the eastern side of the Bear River Range. Access points include St. Charles, Dry, Emigration, Fish Haven, Green and Paris canyons. Forest roads and ATV trails lead to many interior sections, but game department rules allow ATVs only on roads that can be used by full-size vehicles.

Some hunters camp on National Forest land along four-wheel-drive or gravel roads. Lodging is available in Montpelier and at resorts along Bear Lake. See Bear Lake Cabin Rentals.