Unit 110 District 110 (Region 1)
Wild timbered wilderness on Glacier's western edge — big country, low densities, high grizzly odds
North Fork Flathead — Region 1 (Northwest Montana) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
793
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
3,200–8,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 110 follows the North Fork of the Flathead River west of Glacier National Park, running north to the Canadian border and rising into the rugged Whitefish Range. It is remote, very heavily timbered public land in the Flathead National Forest, with low but stable elk numbers, whitetail and mule deer in the drainages, and one of the highest densities of grizzly bears and wolves in the Lower 48 (part of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem). This is a hunt for solitude and hard country rather than easy numbers.
Terrain
The North Fork river valley climbing into the steep, timbered ridges and alpine crest of the Whitefish Range against the Canadian border.
Cover: Dense western red cedar, hemlock, Engelmann spruce, grand fir and subalpine fir; alder, willow and mountain maple in the creek bottoms and draws.
Landmarks: North Fork Flathead River · Whitefish Range · Glacier National Park boundary · Polebridge · Canadian border
Access
Almost entirely public Flathead National Forest, accessed from the North Fork Road on the east and Highway 93 corridor on the west, with Forest Service roads and trails pushing deeper into the drainages. The country is vast, thick and lightly roaded away from the main corridor — much of it is effectively backcountry. Private ground is limited and clustered near Polebridge.
Managers: USFS Flathead NF, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management
Access points: North Fork Road · US Highway 93 / Whitefish side · Flathead NF Forest Service roads and trailheads · Polebridge access
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetail hold the river bottoms and lower timbered draws; densities have softened with hard winters but they remain the most consistent deer.
- →Hunt North Fork river-bottom cover and openings
- →Still-hunt thick timber edges at first light
- →Use fresh snow to cut tracks and find travel routes
Mule Deer
limited opportunityFewer mule deer, scattered in the higher open slopes and Whitefish Range benches.
- →Glass alpine openings and burns at dawn
- →Hike above the road corridor for undisturbed bucks
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk numbers are low but stable relative to the past decade — scattered herds in a big, predator-heavy landscape.
- →Cover ground to locate isolated herds
- →Hunt north-slope timber and old cuts
- →Expect elk to be pushed and wary from heavy wolf pressure
Black Bear
abundant opportunityStrong black bear numbers on the timbered slopes and berry fields; grizzlies are also present at high density in this NCDE core.
- →Glass green-up avalanche chutes in spring
- →Watch huckleberry fields in late summer
- →Absolutely confirm species — grizzlies are common here
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose in the willow bottoms and wet drainages (limited-permit only).
- →Still-hunt willow flats and beaver complexes at dawn/dusk
- →Check riparian corridors along the North Fork
Mountain Goat
limited qualityMountain goats in the high rocky crest of the Whitefish Range (coveted limited permit).
- →Glass cliff bands and alpine basins
- →Plan a demanding backcountry pack-in
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a backcountry hunt — go in with a plan for weather, distance and rough roads
- →Whitetail in the river bottoms are the realistic target; elk require covering big country for low numbers
- →Hunt fresh snow to cut tracks in the thick timber
- →Carry bear spray and hunt with constant grizzly awareness — this is one of the densest grizzly areas in the Lower 48
- →Heavy wolf presence makes game wary and mobile — hunt quiet, glass patient
Watch out for
- !High-density grizzly country (NCDE core) — bear spray, careful field-dressing, and never leave meat unattended
- !Remote, thickly timbered terrain with long, rough North Fork Road access and early snow closures
- !Do not cross into Glacier National Park (no hunting) on the eastern boundary
- !Low big-game densities — manage expectations, especially for elk
Logistics
Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse offer lodging, fuel and services; Polebridge is the remote outpost near the district's heart. The North Fork Road is long, rough and washboarded — plan for slow travel, carry recovery gear, and expect early snow to close upper roads.
Nearest towns: Polebridge, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Hungry Horse
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP Region 1 (Northwest Montana) · Deer Hunting in Montana's HD 110 — North Fork (HuntScore) · Deer Everywhere, Elk Not So Much — Region 1 Mid-Season (Montana Outdoor)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 110 in Montana?
- Unit 110 (District 110 (Region 1)) covers about 793 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,200 to 8,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 110?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Flathead NF, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 110?
- Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Black Bear, Moose, Mountain Goat. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 110 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.