Unit 111 (Salish Mountains / Thompson River)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

HD 111 covers the Salish Mountains and Thompson River drainage in the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests of northwest Montana. Shiras moose are well established in the willow-lined river bottoms and lodgepole transition areas. The 111 series permits are competitive draws with moderate-to-high quotas compared to the Glacier NP border units to the north.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 111

Where to Find Moose in HD 111

Moose in HD 111 are distributed throughout the Thompson River corridor and the lower Salish Mountain drainages, concentrating in riparian willow, alder, and aquatic vegetation areas.

Thompson River Corridor

The main Thompson River valley and its tributaries — including the East and West Forks — hold consistent moose populations. Beaver ponds and backwater sloughs along the river draw bulls throughout the season.

Salish Mountain Drainages

Creek drainages descending from the Salish Mountains provide secondary moose habitat, particularly in areas with good willow regeneration following past logging.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 111

The Thompson River road system and multiple Forest Service access points make HD 111 among the more logistically accessible moose units in northwest Montana.

Willow-Bottom Ambush

Set up elevated ambush positions overlooking major willow flats along the Thompson River and tributaries. Bulls move through these areas predictably at dawn and dusk during the September–October permit window.

Rut Calling

Cow calls and antler-raking work effectively on Thompson River bulls during the late September rut. Position downwind of willow complexes and call during the first hour after dawn.

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Moose Success Rates

HD 111 series permit holders harvest at roughly 60–75% success. The Thompson River corridor provides relatively good road access for moose recovery compared to more remote northwest Montana units.

Moose Draw Odds

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

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HD 111 moose permits are competitive but slightly more attainable than the Glacier NP border units. Applicants with 6–10 bonus points typically have realistic odds depending on the annual quota. Once-in-a-lifetime rules apply.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Tally Lake Campground (USFS) and Thompson River area dispersed camping on Kootenai NF.

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Water

Abundant — Thompson River, numerous tributaries, and beaver ponds.

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Road Conditions

Thompson River Road is paved to the main valley; gravel FSRs throughout.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — forested and rolling terrain with occasional willow bogs.

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Hunting Pressure

Light — small permit pool with low hunter density.

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Weather

Cool and wet through September; snow possible in October. Grizzly country.

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Nearest Town

Kalispell (45 min) for full services; Thompson Falls (30 min) for limited supplies.

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Permit Notes

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

Note: Grizzly bears are present in the Salish Mountains. Bear spray is essential equipment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HD 111 and HD 111-50 moose permits?

HD 111 covers the general hunting district boundary while sub-permit codes (like 111-50) designate specific limited-entry permit groups with defined quotas. Check FWP's drawing statistics for the current permit codes and quotas applicable to HD 111.

Is there road access for moose hunting in HD 111?

Yes — the Thompson River Road and multiple Kootenai NF spur roads provide reasonable vehicle access to willow-bottom moose habitat throughout the unit.

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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
Kootenai National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Salish Mountains public land, Thompson River area access · accessed 2026-04-18