Quick Tips
- Grizzlies are prevalent in this area and a sidearm or spray is recommended
- Clean campsites are a must when camping in bear country
- GPS, Maps, or a compass are highly recommended
- Off trail/road travel can be difficult due to vegetation and terrain steepness
On The Ground
This hunting district is found in west central Montana and borders the Flathead Indian Reservation as well as Glacier National Park. This area features some of the most rugged country in the state and is sure to provide anyone with scenic views to last a lifetime. Most of the bear habitat in this area will require climbing and cross country travel, physical conditioning will be key.
Black bears will be found here in abundance, along with a quickly growing population of grizzlies.
Terrain
The country here can be extremely unrelenting and requires a mental and physical fortitude to hunt. From the valley floors, the ridges rise sharply and climb to extreme heights full of cliffs and rockslides. Vegetation cover is extremely dense and travel can be very difficult at times. The scenery is unparallelled and well worth the hikes into the high country.
Roughly 878 square miles
93% public land
Elevations range from 3,200-8,500 feet
Vegetation
A wide array of vegetation will be found here partly in thanks to the amount of precipitation this area typically sees. Down low in the valleys, hunters can expect to encounter thick creek bottoms full of pine, fir, alder brush, willows, mountain maple, and other natural brush. As you gain elevation, the vegetation vaguely thins and white pine and lodgepole become increasingly common. In the highest elevations, the ground cover will reduce immensely and subalpine fir and rock fields will begin dominating the landscape. Huckleberries grow in abundance here and are going to be a primary food source for the bears come fall.
Access
This area is nearly 100% public land and a hunter’s dreams. As mentioned before, physical condition prior to the hunt can keep you in the woods day after day. This country is incredibly steep and requires a lot of effort out of anyone to traverse. This area is almost entirely roadless and will require foot travel to reach any of the backcountry areas.
US Highway 2, Highway 83, West Side Road, and East Side Road
Cross country travel can be difficult and a GPS is highly recommended
“Bushwhacking” can be very difficult and challenging but may be necessary to reach the high country
Camping and Lodging
Modern lodging options can be found in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and areas around GNP. Some hunters may opt for primitive camping which is permitted on public lands for up to 14 days in a single spot. Groceries and other amenities are found in Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Sporting goods can be found in Kalispell.
Modern lodging options can be found in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and areas around GNP
Bear tags are not valid until 24 hour after the time of purchase, this can be important to remember for traveling hunters
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5