Kootenai National Forest offers thousands of acres of public land. Private lands are found on both sides of the Tobacco River and Fortine Creek near the small towns of Eureka, Rexford and Fortine. This area is covered in thick vegetation but heavy logging acitvity has opened up much of the landscape anf provides good feed for animals and glassing opportunities for hunters.

If your focus is on whitetail deer, spend time before season getting permission to hunt private ground near the Tobacco River and Fortine Creek. One Block Management Area is situated along Fortine Creek and might be worth some time glassing for whitetails. Mule deer bucks typically can be found anywhere from the heavy timber slopes of the Salish Mountains to Pinkham or Sutton Creeks. Some mule deer can be found hanging near agricultural fields near the Tobacco River. Look for bulls in the dark timber on either Sutton or McGuire Mountains.

The damming of the Kootenai River forms the 40 mile long Lake Koocanusa along the western boundary. The Salish Mountains, Sutton and McGuire Peaks all rise some 6,500 feet above the Kootenai River. Tobacco River runs through a broad valley from Dickey Lake to the Rexford. Between the Tobacco River and Kootenai River there are rugged remote mountains and drainages that flow into Pinkham Creek that eventually end up draining into the Kootenai River.

Mountains in this district are heavily forested with spruce, fir, ponderosa and lodgepole pine. There are some sections of new growth timber found on clear cuts. Mountain shrubs and willows choke most of the small creeks. Tobacco River Valley has hay fields lined with willows and pine. South facing slopes have short grasses mixed with mountain shrubs.

An extensive system of Forest Service roads and trails provide good access into the Kootenai National Forest. The area has been logged for many years leaving many logging roads that enable tag holders to travel into remote areas. Heavy snow or rain may shut down some of the remote Forest Service roads. During any season four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended along with chains or a winch.

Kootenai National Forest has developed and undeveloped camping that is restricted to a 14 day stay limit. The community of Eureka has limited motels, cafés and service stations. You are close to the Canadian border so services are limited. Libby, some 30 miles to the southwest, provides a variety of motels, restaurants and cafés, a medical facility and 24/7 gas and diesel.