Unit 126-50 (Rocky Mountain Front Moose 126-50)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

HD 126-50 is a once-in-a-lifetime Shiras moose permit along the Rocky Mountain Front in north-central Montana. Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are OIAL species in Montana. We recommend using Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Plan-a-Hunt to map the willow-lined creek bottoms and subalpine riparian habitat that concentrate Front bulls.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 126-50

Where to Find Moose in HD 126-50

Shiras moose on the Rocky Mountain Front in HD 126-50 use the willow-lined tributary creeks, beaver-pond complexes, and subalpine riparian benches where the plains transition into the Front. We focus scouting on drainages with active beaver sign and heavy willow regeneration — those habitats concentrate what is otherwise a thinly-spread population.

Bulls often bed in timbered benches within short walks of their preferred browse. Glass willow flats at first and last light; mid-day moose retreat into timber and essentially disappear.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 126-50

We hunt HD 126-50 with dawn and dusk glassing from elevated vantages overlooking willow flats and riparian corridors. Once a bull is located, plan a stalk that keeps wind in your favor and uses timber edges to break up the approach. Front moose are not pressured like elk, and a careful stalk often closes to archery range.

Pack-out is the biggest logistical constraint. A Shiras bull yields 400–500 pounds of boned meat, and remote Front drainages can mean long hauls. Plan extra days specifically for the pack, and have multiple able helpers lined up before you pull the trigger.

Pro Members Only

Unlock full moose tactics for HD 126-50

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Moose Success Rates

Rifle72%

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	73	1.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Montana moose is a once-in-a-lifetime (OIAL) species and uses the preference-point system (not a weighted bonus formula). Each unsuccessful year adds one point; higher-point applicants are processed first. HD 126-50 averaged roughly 60 applicants for 1 permit across the most recent three-year window — expect the max-point pool to dominate outcomes. Confirm current-year quotas and the applicant-by-point distribution on FWP Drawing Statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

⛺

Camp Sites

Lewis and Clark National Forest campgrounds along the Rocky Mountain Front (Sun Canyon, Benchmark area). Dispersed camping on forest roads. Backcountry camping unrestricted on forest land.

💧

Water

Good. Sun River, Teton River, and tributary creeks run reliably through the season. Filter or treat.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved access on US-89 and MT-287. Forest roads into Sun Canyon, Benchmark, and surrounding drainages are gravel — maintained but rough after rain. 4WD recommended.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Willow-bottom travel is slow and brushy; elevation gains into bedding timber run 1,000–2,500 feet. Less technical than sheep country but still demanding.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Augusta or Choteau (45 min) for basic supplies and fuel. Great Falls (1.5 hr) for full services and meat processing.

Note: Grizzly bears are present along the Front — carry bear spray, store food and meat properly, and plan pack-outs with paired-up hunters. Weather on the Front turns fast; pack for snow even on early-season trips.

Pro Members Only

Unlock full logistics for HD 126-50 moose

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 126-50 moose a once-in-a-lifetime tag?

Yes. Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are OIAL species in Montana. Drawing an HD 126-50 permit ends the hunter's Montana moose draw eligibility for life.

How competitive is the HD 126-50 draw?

HD 126-50 averaged about 60 applicants for 1 permit across the most recent three-year window. Expect multi-decade point accumulation to be competitive — confirm the current-year point distribution on FWP Drawing Statistics.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

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

FWP Plan-a-Hunt — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 126-50 boundary geometry, Public-land overlays and access easements · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Moose season structure, OIAL (once-in-a-lifetime) rules · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Historical applicant and quota counts, Preference point progression for moose · accessed 2026-04-17