Idaho Moose Elk

Unit 2 (Selkirk Mountains / Bonner County)

Idaho Hunting Guide — Moose, Elk

Unit 2 covers the Selkirk Mountains in extreme north Idaho along the Canadian border — remote cedar and hemlock old-growth country with the Kootenai and Pend Oreille river systems providing prime moose habitat. IDFG issues extremely few moose tags here, and the unit is one of Idaho's most remote moose destinations. Hunters who draw Unit 2 encounter bulls in wilderness-quality terrain rarely reached by other hunters.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Moose in Unit 2

Moose in Unit 2 use the Selkirk Mountains' old-growth riparian zones, beaver pond systems, and willow-dominated creek drainages. This is classic north Idaho moose country with abundant water and dense cover.

Kootenai River and Pend Oreille Drainages

The Kootenai River system and its tributaries in Unit 2 provide extensive riparian moose habitat. Willow and alder corridors along these drainages are core moose feeding areas. Slow walks along river margins at dawn and dusk produce the best encounters.

Beaver Pond Complexes in the Selkirks

The numerous beaver pond systems in the Selkirk Mountains' lower drainages are excellent moose habitat. Identify these on topographic maps or aerial imagery during pre-hunt scouting. Approach slowly on foot, stopping frequently to listen for feeding sounds or movement in the willows.

Old-Growth Cedar Swamps

The cedar swamp terrain unique to the extreme north Idaho panhandle creates wet, dense habitat that moose use for thermal cover and security. These areas are challenging to navigate but receive almost no hunting pressure due to the difficulty of travel.

How to Hunt Unit 2 Moose

Moose hunting in Unit 2 requires navigation skills and comfort in extremely dense north Idaho timber. The cedar swamp and old-growth terrain is unlike any other moose hunting in the lower 48.

Slow Riparian Walk

The most reliable method is a slow walk along the Kootenai and Pend Oreille tributary corridors at first light. Move 50 yards, stop, listen for 2 minutes, then repeat. Moose in dense timber are detected by sound — the crack of a branch, the splash of wading, a deep grunt — before they are seen. Position for a close-range shot opportunity when a moose is located.

September Rut Calling

The peak rut in mid-September is the best window for calling moose in Unit 2. Cow calls and bull grunts carry well even in the dense timber. A responsive bull can come very quickly through the cedars — be ready for a shot opportunity inside 50 yards.

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Moose Success Rates

Idaho moose tag holders statewide achieve 80–90% harvest success because IDFG sets quotas conservatively against known population numbers. Unit 2's abundant and productive habitat means that prepared hunters who have done pre-season scouting of the riparian corridors and beaver ponds typically fill their tags. The difficulty is the draw — not the hunt itself.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	32	385	8.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho moose tags are the hardest draw in the state. Unit 2 typically issues a quota in the single digits annually. With Idaho's preference point system, applicants accumulate points each year they are not drawn, incrementally improving odds — but with this unit's rarity and growing applicant pool, drawing before accumulating 15+ points is unlikely for most hunters. Check IDFG Hunt Planner for the specific Unit 2 hunt numbers and historical odds.

Elk Hunting in Unit 2

Unit 2 covers the far northwest corner of Idaho's Panhandle. Elk tags here run through the Panhandle Elk Zone — a capped general hunt that sells first-come to residents and nonresidents. The country is heavy timber, logging regen, and river bottoms. Elk density is moderate and pressure is lower than central Idaho.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 2

Three zones inside Unit 2.

Mid-Elevation Timber

Douglas fir and cedar benches between 3,500 and 5,500 feet hold elk through the fall.

Burn Regeneration

Recent burns carry high-quality browse that pulls elk into openings.

River Bottoms

Late-season elk drop to river bottoms when snow accumulates.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 2

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle6%

Archery2%

Muzzleloader8%

Panhandle Zone elk success runs 10-18% for rifle hunters and 5-8% for archery. Unit 2 tracks close to the zone average with pressure lower than central Idaho.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	25	36	69.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho runs a pure random draw for controlled hunts and a first-come system for capped zone general tags. Panhandle Zone general tags are typically available at the counter; controlled hunts in Unit 2 compete in the pure random draw. Nonresidents are capped at 10% of total tags statewide.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Abundant — Kootenai River system, Pend Oreille tributaries, numerous ponds and streams

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Road Conditions

Highway 95 provides north-south paved access; forest roads to Selkirk drainage access are gravel, some requiring 4WD in wet conditions

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous — flat cedar swamp terrain is physically demanding; navigation in dense old-growth requires skill

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Hunting Pressure

Extremely low — single-digit quota; this may be the least-pressured moose hunt in Idaho

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Cell Service

Limited near Bonners Ferry; no service in the Selkirk interior

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Nearest Town

Bonners Ferry (full services); Sandpoint (full services, 40+ mi)

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Permit Notes

Unit 2 moose quota is among the most limited in Idaho. Tags are a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for most applicants. Begin accumulating preference points immediately — delay of even one year has long-term consequences given the small annual quota.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Idaho's moose preference point system work for Unit 2?

Idaho uses a weighted preference point system for controlled hunts. Each year you apply and are not drawn, you accumulate preference points that increase your odds in future draws. However, with Unit 2's extremely small quota, even high point holders may wait many years. Apply every year without exception — skipping a year resets your accumulated advantage.

What gear is recommended for Unit 2 moose hunting?

The Selkirk cedar swamp and old-growth terrain requires waterproof boots, rain gear, GPS navigation (compass backup), and a satellite communicator. A packable canoe or inflatable kayak is a significant advantage for accessing the Kootenai tributaries. Expect wet conditions throughout the September season.

Is Unit 2 in the Panhandle Zone?

Yes. Unit 2 is part of the Panhandle Elk Zone. General tags are capped and sold first-come; controlled hunts also operate inside the unit.

Can nonresidents buy Panhandle Zone tags?

Yes, subject to the statewide 10% nonresident cap. Availability changes each year — the zone tag typically goes on sale in early December for the following season.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 2 moose controlled hunt designations, Season dates, Tag quota · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner (Interactive) — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 2 moose season and hunt designations, Access overview · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Historical moose draw odds for Unit 2, Multi-year trend data · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Moose Management — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Selkirk Mountains moose population context, Management objectives · accessed 2026-04-17
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — Selkirk Unit — USDA Forest Service — Idaho Panhandle National Forests · supports: Selkirk NF road access, Wilderness and roadless area boundaries in Unit 2 · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Hunt Statistics — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Harvest, Hunter effort, Success rates · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 2 (Selkirk Mountains / Bonner County)

Moose Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Moose in Unit 2

Kootenai River and Pend Oreille Drainages

Beaver Pond Complexes in the Selkirks

Old-Growth Cedar Swamps

How to Hunt Unit 2 Moose

Slow Riparian Walk

September Rut Calling

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Elk in Unit 2

Mid-Elevation Timber

Burn Regeneration

River Bottoms

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 2

Locator Calls

Burn Glassing

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Water

Road Conditions

Terrain Difficulty

Hunting Pressure

Cell Service

Nearest Town

Permit Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification