Unit 105 (North Fork Flathead / Glacier NP Border)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

HD 105 borders Glacier National Park along the North Fork of the Flathead River in northwestern Montana. Shiras moose inhabit the North Fork bottomlands, beaver pond complexes, and lodgepole regeneration on the Flathead National Forest. The 105 moose permit is one of Montana's most competitive draws, with extremely low tag quotas relative to applicant demand.

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Moose Hunting in Unit 105

Where to Find Moose in HD 105

Moose in HD 105 concentrate along the North Fork Flathead River corridor and its backwater sloughs, where willows and aquatic vegetation provide prime forage. Beaver pond complexes throughout the drainage bottom hold bulls through summer and into the rut.

North Fork River Bottomlands

The North Fork corridor from Polebridge north to the Canadian border holds the densest moose habitat. Willows fringe every channel and back-eddy, drawing bulls at dawn and dusk for their preferred browse.

Lodgepole Regeneration Patches

Post-fire lodgepole regeneration on the Flathead NF provides secondary foraging habitat. Bulls move into these areas during midday when river-bottom pressure increases after the season opens.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 105

HD 105 moose hunting demands careful scouting of the North Fork drainage months before the season. Tag quotas are extremely small and competition among permit holders is intense.

Glass the River Bottom

Post up on elevated benches above the North Fork bottomlands and glass willow flats at first and last light. Bulls feed in the open briefly during morning and evening windows before retreating to timber.

Rut Calling

Late September cow calls and antler raking can pull bulls from heavy cover into openings. Work the wind carefully — the North Fork corridor funnels thermals unpredictably.

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Moose Success Rates

HD 105 moose permit holders typically achieve 60–80% harvest success. The small permit pool means each applicant has done extensive preseason scouting. Grizzly bear activity in the North Fork corridor requires fast meat care and bear awareness.

Moose Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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HD 105 moose permits are among the hardest to draw in northwest Montana. With very few tags issued annually and hundreds of three-year applicants, expect to need 10+ bonus points for a realistic resident draw. Once-in-a-lifetime rules apply.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Polebridge area dispersed USFS camping; developed camping at Bowman Lake on the park boundary.

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Water

Abundant — North Fork Flathead River and numerous backwater sloughs throughout.

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Road Conditions

North Fork Road is gravel and rough; high-clearance recommended. Seasonal conditions vary.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate — flat river bottom with occasional willow tangles and wet ground.

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Hunting Pressure

Very light — minimal permits create low encounter rates with other hunters.

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Weather

Cool and wet in September; snow possible by October. Pack rain gear and bear spray.

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Nearest Town

Whitefish (60 min) for full services; Polebridge (15 min) for limited supplies.

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Permit Notes

Limited-entry moose permit required. Apply through FWP special drawing.

Note: Grizzly bear density is high along the North Fork — bear spray and proper food storage are essential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many moose permits are issued for Montana HD 105?

HD 105 issues a very small number of moose permits — typically a handful per year — through FWP's special drawing. Check current FWP drawing statistics for the exact quota and applicant counts.

Is HD 105 affected by Glacier National Park boundaries?

Yes — HD 105 borders Glacier National Park and hunting is not permitted inside the park. The unit covers the Flathead NF lands west of the park boundary along the North Fork corridor.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

FWP Moose Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Moose season structure, Once-in-lifetime rules, HD-level quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
FWP Hunt Planner — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD boundary geometry, Public-land layers (BLM/USFS/SLB/Block Management), Block Management Areas + Walk-In · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical draw odds by license/permit code, Applicant and quota counts, Bonus points progression · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Harvest Reports — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Per-HD harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Game check-station data · accessed 2026-04-17
Flathead National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Glacier NP / Flathead NF public land, Access roads and wilderness trailheads · accessed 2026-04-18
Glacier National Park — National Park Service · supports: Adjacent wilderness boundary, Wildlife corridor information · accessed 2026-04-18