At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Grizzlies live in this unit; keep food and game meat out of reach
- Buy a wolf tag
- Buy an elk and whitetail deer tag
- Fishing is good in some small lakes and the Lochsa River
Terrain
Access
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
High
Low
Hunter success in this part of the Lochsa River drainage has gone down, resulting in fewer moose harvested by hunters.
This is one of the most difficult units in Idaho for seeing and harvesting Shiras moose.
Hunters have a difficult time in this unit because of steep terrain, lack of road access, mature forests that lack moose feed and low numbers of moose. The entire unit is mountainous and the only roads are on the northern and eastern boundaries. The Lochsa River runs from about 3,445 feet above sea level and drops to 1,775 feet. The northern part is wilderness where steep hills rise sharply from the Lochsa River. The higher peaks tend to be rocky and steep but not rugged. A number of small lakes can be found in basins below the highest peaks and ridges. Between Fenn Mountain and Chimney Peak are Dishpan, Kettle, Elizabeth, Wood, Lloyd, Hjort and Florence lakes. Hungry Lake is just below Hungry Peak.
This unit is roadless except for U.S. Highway 12 along the Lochsa River and Forest Road 362 along the eastern boundary from the highway to the edge of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.
Most land is covered by dense conifer forests made up of cedars, spruces, pines and firs. Mature conifer forests have little understory which results in little food for moose that browse on brush and saplings of trees. Dense forests also make for difficult hunting, especially when game numbers are low. Some high peaks and basins are rocky and open, resulting in some browse, forbs, wildflowers and grass grow on them and providing limited feed.
Roughly 320 square miles
99.7% public land
Elevations from 1,700-7,400 feet
No vehicles are allowed in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness
ATVs are unnecessary except perhaps to climb Forest Road 362
Four-wheel drive is recommended in wintery weather
Some hunters camp along roads. The Forest Service maintains seven campgrounds on the southern boundary of this unit along U.S. Highway 12. Lodging is available in Kooskia with 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.