This area bordering Montana in the Lochsa River drainage produces a good number of moose with antlers averaging a bit more than 40” wide.

This is a good area for hunting moose in either well-roaded logging areas or in roadless, remote high country. Despite bears and wolves, some moose survive long enough to grow wide racks. Moose generally have antlers spreading 38-42”.

Montana borders this unit from just north of Rhodes Peak all the way around the Lochsa River drainage. Most land is in the Clearwater National Forest, but many thousands of acres are alternating sections of private and federal land in a checkerboard pattern. The terrain is mountainous, ranging from moderate to steep. A lot of land is between 4,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level. The southeastern portion includes part of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, which makes up a few ridges and peaks over 7,500 feet in elevation like Sky Pilot Peak and Ranger Peak.

Most of the land is heavily forested with some logged forests within five miles of U.S. Highway 12. The logged areas have open, grassy slopes and brushy clearcuts with some trees that have grown past the sapling stage. Mature, natural forests are mostly sterile with a lack of browse and grass growing beneath the dense forest. Pines, firs, spruces and cedars are so dense that spot-and-stalk hunting is difficult except in recently logged areas and some of the south and west-facing slopes near the northeastern border where many basins provide good glassing. Willows, birches and other browse plants grow along rivers and some creeks with meadows with brush, forbs and small trees growing along the edges.

Much of the unit is well-roaded, especially the mountains within five miles of U.S. Highway 12. Most roads are open to all motor vehicles. Within about five miles of U.S. Highway 12 and north and northwest of Beaver Ridge are about 70 square miles of private property situated in an alternating checkerboard pattern with national forest land. Much of this land has not been posted or fenced and has been open for public hunting. Part of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness is in the southeastern part of the unit and is roadless. The Clearwater County part of this unit also is mostly roadless.

Most hunters camp along roads. White Sand, Powell, Whitehouse and Wendover are maintained by The Forest Service and are located near U.S. 12 within five miles of the unit. Lodging is available in Kooskia and includes a couple of bed and breakfasts, Western Motor Inn and River Junction RV Park. River Dance Lodge, east of Kooskia on Highway 12, has rooms as well as cabins and luxury tents.

The Clearwater National Forest makes vehicles maps available online

No vehicles are allowed in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness

ATVs are recommended on some forest roads

Four-wheel drive is recommended

A few miles of trails are restricted to motorcycles