Unit 130 District 130 (Region 1)
Timbered Swan Valley wedged between the Mission and Swan ranges — moose, whitetail and grizzlies
Swan Valley — Region 1 (Northwest Montana) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
672
sq mi
Public land
65%
approx.
Elevation
3,100–9,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
District 130 runs the Swan Valley up from Swan Lake, boxed by the Mission Mountains on the west and the Swan Range on the east, in Lake and Missoula counties. It is deep, wet Region 1 forest: whitetails and moose in the river bottom and wetlands, elk and mule deer on the timbered slopes, and some of the highest black bear density in the state. This is the heart of the Northern Continental Divide grizzly ecosystem, so every hunt here is a hunt in grizzly country.
Terrain
Swan River valley floor near 3,100-3,300 ft climbing steeply to the Swan Range and Mission peaks approaching 9,000 ft.
Cover: Dense spruce, fir, larch and lodgepole forest with cedar-hemlock pockets, extensive riparian willow and wetland along the Swan River, huckleberry-rich mid-slopes and rocky alpine at the crest.
Landmarks: Swan River and Swan Lake · Swan Range crest · Mission Mountains · Condon · Flathead National Forest
Access
The surrounding slopes are largely public Flathead NF and DNRC state trust, much of it consolidated through the Montana Legacy Project from former Plum Creek timberland. The valley floor along Highway 83 holds most of the private parcels; some corporate and conservation-easement timber allows walk-in. Block Management is limited here compared to eastern Montana because so much land is already public. Note the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness on the west side is CSKT land and closed to non-tribal hunters.
Managers: USFS Flathead National Forest, MT DNRC state trust, private (valley floor), corporate/conservation timberland
Access points: State Highway 83 (Swan Valley corridor) · Swan Lake and Swan River road access · Forest Service roads climbing the Swan Range (e.g., toward Swan Divide trailheads) · USFS trailheads into the Swan Range and Bob Marshall side
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
abundant qualityWhitetails thrive in the Swan River bottom, wetlands and timber edges throughout the valley — the district's most reliable deer.
- →Hunt riparian willow bottoms and timber-meadow edges at dawn and dusk
- →The November rut brings bucks into the open along the valley
- →Still-hunt wet timber benches on days with soft snow
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer use the higher, more open slopes of the Swan Range; fewer than whitetails and tied to elevation and open feed.
- →Climb above the valley timber and glass open slopes and burns
- →Watch alpine edges early season before deer drop to winter range
- →Hunt rocky benches and avalanche paths on the Swan crest
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk hold in the heavy timber on both flanks of the valley; numbers are moderate and animals lean hard on security cover.
- →Get deep into dark timber off the valley road
- →Hunt north slopes and blowdown where elk bed
- →Work the timber-meadow transitions morning and evening
Moose
common qualityThe Swan Valley is prime Shiras moose habitat — willow bottoms, wetlands and subalpine fir provide excellent forage.
- →Glass willow flats, beaver ponds and river oxbows at first and last light
- →Check subalpine fir stringers and old burns in the fall rut
- →Move slowly and glass wetland edges — moose are quality but a limited-permit hunt
Black Bear
abundant qualityThe Swan holds some of Montana's densest black bear numbers, fed by huckleberry and lush spring green-up.
- →Glass avalanche chutes and old clearcuts in spring for feeding bears
- →Hit huckleberry slopes in late summer and fall
- →Watch riparian green-up and skunk cabbage draws early season
Cougar
common opportunityAbundant deer support strong mountain lion numbers through the timbered valley — a winter tracking hunt.
- →Cut tracks on snowed-in FS roads after fresh snow
- →Focus on deer-wintering river bottoms and lower slopes
- →Plan around a tracking snow and hounds
Mountain Goat
limited qualityA few mountain goats hold on the rocky crest of the Swan Range; a rare, coveted limited-permit opportunity.
- →Glass the highest cliff bands and alpine ledges of the Swan crest
- →Plan multi-day backcountry access from Swan Range trailheads
- →Expect a physical high-country hunt on a hard-drawn tag
Pro tips
- →Play the valley for whitetails and the slopes for elk and mule deer — they separate by elevation and cover.
- →If you draw a moose tag, spend your time glassing willow bottoms and beaver complexes at the light edges.
- →Huckleberry years dictate bear activity — find the berries and you find the bears.
- →Much former timberland is now public via the Montana Legacy Project — check current ownership maps, access has expanded.
- →Carry bear spray and hunt with a partner; this is core grizzly country and gut piles draw bears fast.
Watch out for
- !Core Northern Continental Divide grizzly habitat — bear spray, clean camps, and pack meat out fast; treat every carcass as a bear magnet.
- !The Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness (CSKT) on the west side is closed to non-tribal hunters — know the boundary.
- !Steep terrain and dense wet timber make navigation and pack-outs demanding.
- !Upper Forest Service roads gate or snow-close early; confirm access before committing to a high hunt.
Logistics
Condon and Swan Lake offer limited services along Highway 83; Bigfork/Kalispell to the north and Seeley Lake to the south are the closest resupply. Access is off Highway 83 with FS roads climbing the flanks — many are rough, gated or snow-closed by late fall. Backcountry hunts into the Swan Range require real planning.
Nearest towns: Condon, Swan Lake, Bigfork, Seeley Lake, Kalispell
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP 2026/2027 Legal Descriptions (HD 130 Swan) · MTFWP Region 1 (Northwest Montana) · Flathead National Forest — Swan Valley
FAQ
- How big is Unit 130 in Montana?
- Unit 130 (District 130 (Region 1)) covers about 672 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,100 to 9,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 130?
- Approximately 65% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Flathead National Forest, MT DNRC state trust, private (valley floor), corporate/conservation timberland. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 130?
- Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Moose, Black Bear, Cougar, 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 130 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.