Unit 280-50 (Anaconda-Pintler Moose 280-50)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

HD 280-50 is a once-in-a-lifetime Shiras moose permit in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness country of southwest Montana. Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat tags are OIAL in Montana — once drawn, applicants are ineligible for that species for life. We recommend using Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Plan-a-Hunt to map the willow bottoms and subalpine lake basins that hold bulls before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 280-50

Where to Find Moose in HD 280-50

Shiras moose in HD 280-50 use the willow-lined creek bottoms and subalpine basins of the Anaconda-Pintler country. Early-season bulls browse on riparian willow and aquatic vegetation in the beaver-pond complexes along the upper Big Hole tributaries. As the September–October season progresses, bulls drift into timbered benches and sidehills near their preferred willow draws.

Focus scouting efforts on drainages with active beaver sign and heavy willow regeneration — those habitats concentrate moose in an otherwise thinly-distributed population.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 280-50

We recommend dawn and dusk glassing sessions from timbered knobs overlooking willow flats and lake edges. Bulls feed in the open during low-light hours and retreat to adjacent timber through the middle of the day. A spotting scope pays off quickly — you can cover multiple drainages in a morning and pinpoint a bull worth the stalk.

Plan pack-out logistics before the shot. A Shiras bull can yield 400–500 pounds of boned-out meat, and most huntable country in 280-50 is a long way from any trailhead. Bring panniers, a game cart where trails allow, and several able-bodied packers.

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Moose Success Rates

Rifle72%

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	92	1.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Montana moose is a once-in-a-lifetime (OIAL) species — drawing a permit makes the hunter ineligible for any future Montana moose tag. Draws use the state's preference point system (not a weighted bonus formula): each consecutive unsuccessful year adds one point, and applicants with more points are considered ahead of lower-point pools. HD 280-50 historically sees around 90 applicants for 1 permit across the most recent three-year window, so expect multi-decade point accumulation to be competitive. Verify the current year's quota and applicant pool on FWP Drawing Statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest dispersed camping throughout the HD. Developed Forest Service campgrounds along MT-43 in the Big Hole valley. Backcountry camping unrestricted on forest land.

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Water

Abundant. The upper Big Hole tributaries, Anaconda-Pintler alpine lakes, and seep-fed willow bottoms provide reliable water. Always filter or treat.

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Road Conditions

MT-43 is paved through the Big Hole. Forest spur roads vary from maintained gravel to rough two-track; early-season snow can close the higher routes.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Wilderness boundaries limit motorized access, and willow-choked creek bottoms require slow, deliberate movement. Expect 1,500–3,000 foot elevation gains between trailhead and moose country.

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Nearest Town

Wisdom (30 min) for basic supplies. Anaconda (90 min) or Hamilton (90 min) for full services and meat processing.

Note: Pack-out is the biggest logistical challenge — plan trip length around the pack, not the hunt. Satellite communication is recommended; cell service is nonexistent in most of the HD.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points does it take to draw Montana HD 280-50 moose?

Montana moose is once-in-a-lifetime and uses a preference-point system. With around 90 applicants chasing 1 permit, applicants typically need the maximum point pool to be competitive. Check FWP Drawing Statistics for the current-year applicant distribution.

Is HD 280-50 moose a once-in-a-lifetime tag?

Yes. Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are OIAL species in Montana — drawing a permit permanently removes the hunter from future draws for that species in Montana.

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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 280-50 boundary geometry, Public-land overlays and wilderness access · 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