Unit 285-50 (Upper Ruby Moose 285-50)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

Moose permit 285-50 is a restricted shiras moose tag in southwest Montana's Upper Ruby and Gravelly Range country. Permits are distributed through FWP's special drawing with very small quotas. We recommend reviewing current FWP regulations and Plan-a-Hunt boundary detail before applying for HD 285-50.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 285-50

Where to Find Moose in HD 285-50

Upper Ruby shiras moose use willow-lined creek drainages, boggy meadows, and Gravelly Range edge timber for cover and browse. We glass from shoulder-benches over known willow flats morning and evening during the September window.

Cross-reference Plan-a-Hunt overlays with Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest boundaries for reliable public access routes.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 285-50

We treat HD 285-50 as a multi-day patterning hunt. Identify a specific bull during pre-season scouting, learn his travel lanes, and set up an ambush on the opener. Cow-in-heat calling during the rut peak can pull otherwise-uncommitted bulls into range.

Plan pack-out logistics before the shot because Upper Ruby recovery can demand extended frame-pack or horse support. Review FWP regulations for weapon and tooth-submission rules.

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Moose Success Rates

Rifle72%

Montana shiras moose tag holders generally fill at very high rates. Review the FWP harvest report portal for HD 285-50 district-specific outcomes.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	156	0.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 285-50 produced roughly 147 three-year applicants against about 1 annual permit — raw per-draw odds well under 1% without bonus points. Montana's weighted bonus-point system improves long-run odds. Confirm current figures on the FWP drawing statistics page.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Willow bottoms, wet meadows, and Gravelly Range ridges dominate.

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Hunting Pressure

Low for moose specifically; moderate general deer and elk traffic exists in road-accessible portions.

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Weather

Gravelly Range weather can turn quickly. Plan for sustained cold and early snow at elevation.

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Permit Notes

All HD 285-50 licenses are issued through FWP's special drawing.

Note: Coordinate with FWP Region 3 biologists for current moose sighting and habitat-condition notes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there guided outfitters for HD 285-50 moose?

Guided options exist for many southwest Montana districts. Review the current FWP outfitter listings and any permit-specific guide requirements before the season.

How does HD 285-50 compare to other Montana moose districts?

HD 285-50 is among Montana's more restrictive moose districts by quota. Review the FWP drawing statistics page to compare recent year odds across districts before applying.

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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 285-50 boundary, Upper Ruby public-land overlay · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Moose season structure, Legal-moose and checkout rules · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant-to-quota history for HD 285-50, Bonus-point progression · accessed 2026-04-17