Unit 292-50 (Big Hole Headwaters Moose 292-50)

Montana Hunting Guide — Moose

Moose permit 292-50 is a restricted shiras moose tag in southwest Montana's Big Hole headwaters country. Permits are distributed through FWP's special drawing with small annual quotas. We recommend reviewing the current FWP regulations and Plan-a-Hunt boundary detail before applying for HD 292-50.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 292-50

Where to Find Moose in HD 292-50

Big Hole shiras moose use willow-lined creek bottoms, beaver complexes, and wet meadows along the river's upper drainages. We glass from shoulder-benches over known willow flats morning and evening when bulls feed in the open.

Use Plan-a-Hunt to overlay Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest boundaries and identify reliable access routes.

How to Hunt Moose in HD 292-50

We treat HD 292-50 as a patterning hunt. Identify a specific bull during pre-season scouting, learn his bedding-to-feeding route, and set an ambush position for the opener. Late-September cow calls can seal deals patterning alone does not.

Plan recovery logistics before the shot — willow-bottom pack-outs often take multiple trips. Review FWP regulations for weapon, tooth-submission, and checkout rules.

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Moose Success Rates

Rifle72%

Montana shiras moose permit holders fill at very high rates once drawn. Check the FWP harvest report portal for HD 292-50 specific outcomes.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	135	0.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 292-50 showed roughly 148 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 for persistent applicants. Confirm figures on the FWP drawing statistics page.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Willow bottoms and wet meadows require careful approach and recovery.

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Hunting Pressure

Low for moose specifically. General deer-elk hunters share access.

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Weather

Big Hole nights can turn sharply cold. Plan for early snow and temperature inversions.

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Permit Notes

All HD 292-50 licenses are issued through FWP's special drawing.

Note: Coordinate with FWP Region 3 biologists for current moose sighting and habitat notes before the season.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical moose harvest method in HD 292-50?

Most tag holders combine patterning with ambush setups and rut-period cow calling. Willow-bottom habitat rewards patient glassing and disciplined shot placement.

Can I archery hunt moose in HD 292-50?

Archery opportunities vary by permit year. Review the current FWP regulations for weapon-specific rules tied to HD 292-50 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 292-50 boundary, Big Hole public-land overlay · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Moose season dates, Legal-moose criteria · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant-to-quota history for HD 292-50, Bonus-point progression · accessed 2026-04-17