Quick Tips
- Grizzlies are sometimes found 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 the historical Bitterroot River Valley of western Montana and houses some of the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness Complex. Bears can be found in abundance here but the biggest obstacle for most hunters is going to be the sheer size of the country. This unit is not for the faint of heart and is sure to test your mental, emotional, and physical limits. Along with great trophy potentials, hunters will also find some of the most breathtaking views in western Montana and miles upon miles of available trails for access.
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
On the northern side of the unit hunters will find the most accessible land, with a few logging roads and moderately gentle country, providing good hunting conditions for most physical backgrounds. As you head south and into the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness Complex you can expect things to get much more physically demanding. Here, deep cut valleys will run in a west to east direction, with ridges rising steeply from the valley floor, sometimes over several thousand feet, and topping out in craggy rock cliffs that will generally prove impassible. Thankfully, many trails provide access into nearly every major drainage, however, off trail travel can be extremely difficult and trying.
Roughly 1,484 square miles
86.7% public land
Elevations range from 3,200-9,300 feet
Vegetation
Vegetation will be found in great abundance here and will give hunters just about everything western Montana has to offer. In the low lying creek bottoms expect of find ponderosa, willow, alder, and fir, and occasional cedar or yew trees. As elevations increase, some of the leafy trees will dissipate as pines, firs, and lodgepole take over. Rock cliffs will be very prevalent in most of these high elevation areas. At times, the undergrowth around creek bottoms can be nearly impossible to navigate and can mentally exhaust a person within a matter of hours. When planning for cross country travel it is important to carefully examine these areas and to plan a route in order to avoid as much brush as possible.
Access
The majority of this unit is public land, with a large portion of it being wilderness. Hunters will have little to no problem finding ground to hunt; the biggest issue will be actually accessing some of the more prime looking spots. When hunting the wilderness areas, using the trails will be your best bet. From here you will have access into the many finger drainages where other hunters seldom visit.
Main roads for access include Highway 93, Highway 12, Elk Meadows Rd, and Lost Horse Rd
Cross country travel can be difficult and a GPS is highly recommended
Crossing through creek bottoms and north facing slopes can be an exercise in futility, when planning cross country travel keep these areas in mind
Camping and Lodging
Modern lodging options can be found in Missoula, Lolo, and Hamilton. Groceries can be found in those towns, along with Florence, Stevensville, and Victor. Sporting good needs can be met in either Missoula, on the north end of the hunting district, or in Hamilton to the south.
Modern lodging options can be found in Hamilton, Lolo, or Missoula
Bear tags are not valid until 24 hours 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