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 along the border with Idaho. This district is extremely large and will offer hunters many different types of hunting opportunities. Black bears will be found in abundance here, along with a growing grizzly population. Vegetation will be very thick throughout most of the area with a majority of the hunting being conducted on closed roads, timber cuts, and some of the natural avalanche chutes along the southern boundary of the district. This hunt will be what you make it, hunters will find their experience parallel with the amount work they are willing to put in.
This area, like most of western Montana, has a high density of black bears and can provide a great chance at a mature bear.
Terrain
While this area does have the luxury of many logging roads, hunters will quickly find out that off road travel can be incredibly challenging. Alder and willow grows in extreme abundance and can make navigating some of the north slopes an impossible endeavor. Ridges rise steeply off of the Clark Fork River valley and can make access into some of the high country a very physically taxing activity. Bears can be found along the closed logging roads as well as timber cuts. Hunters will also have the opportunity to head into the backcountry and chase bears in the many avalanche chutes found along the southern boundary of the hunting area.
Roughly 1,898 square miles
81.6% public land
Elevations range from 2,600-7,700 feet
Vegetation
This area is home to an extremely large array of vegetation which provides excellent feed opportunities for bears, but it can cause glassing difficulties later in the spring. In the creek bottoms you can expect to find a typical arrangement of leafy plants and grasses along with cedar, yew, and various pines. In spots, the creek bottoms can also become impassable with huge patches of alder and willow. As the elevation climbs, the ground cover will remain largely the same but hunters can expect to encounter more fir and lodgepole. Very little reprise from the constant ground cover will be found until reaching some of the highest elevations and periodic areas of alpine type county. Here you can expect to encounter subalpine fir, native grasses, and rock. In some of the wetter avalanche chutes, the ever present willow and alder will grow heavily. Most of the high elevation bowls will open up enough to provide some great glassing opportunities.
Access
For the most part, access into bear country is fairly easy to come by in this district. Bears can be found with relative ease along many of the closed logging roads or timber cuts, but a larger percentage of the mature bears will be found in the high country areas. These areas will require a higher level of physical commitment and overnight hunting will become the best option. The hunting district is comprised almost entirely of public lands giving hunters the freedom to roam.
Main roads for access include Interstate 90, Little Joe Rd, Trout Creek Rd, and Fish Creek Rd
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
Hunters will find some modern lodging opportunities in the towns of St. Regis or Superior, but the easiest options will be found on the eastern end of the district in Missoula. Camping is permitted on public lands for up to 14 days and can be a great way to really experience the area. Groceries and other amenities can be found in nearly every town with most of the sporting goods in Missoula.
Modern lodging options can be found in Superior, St. Regis, or Missoula
Bear tags are not valid until 24 hour after the time of purchase, this can be important to remember for traveling hunters
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