This large unit is surrounded by four other District 1 units, with Hwy 2, Hwy 395 and Rd 20 forming its boundary. Colville National Forest offers the largest area of public hunting, covering less than 20% of the unit, with a high percentage of small to medium private land tracts breaking up the public land. Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is the second largest piece of land in Unit 117 and does allow hunting opportunities. Various timber companies also have large amounts of land holdings in all shapes and sizes. The northern national forest and wildlife refuge are more rugged and wooded.

During the winter, deer migrate from the higher elevations to lower ground where there is not as much snowpack. Elk are spread throughout the unit.

This unit has seen its share of logging, ranching, farming, private homes and horse properties just to name a few. Terrain here consists of conifer forests, past logged areas in various stages of regrowth, and areas cleared for livestock grazing and hay meadows. The northern national forest and wildlife refuge is more rugged than the southern portion. Along the Pend Oreille River, ground is basically all rolling or flat private agriculture ground, all good whitetail habitat.

Colville National Forest has decent access, and the wildlife refuge offers additional hunting access opportunities, however both will receive significant hunting pressure. Access to private land will be extremely beneficial in this unit.

The area holds conifer forests and past logged areas in various stages of regrowth. Most mild terrain and benches have been cleared and left as grass for grazing livestock and hay meadows. A variety of crops follow the typical low ground valleys and waterways. Large areas of broken cover and benches make glassing and hunting easy, but are highly broken up between multiple private landowners making access extremely difficult. There are two wildlife refuge tracts that lie within the Selkirk Mountains, providing much needed flora diversity, refuge lakes and marshes, key pieces of moose habitat and waterfowl migration stopover. These mountains are considered the westernmost portion of the Rocky Mountains chain.

Primitive camping in the National Forest and Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge is allowed for the majority of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may happen, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower, and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, you can find these in Colville, Chewelah, Newport and Deer Park.