Kootenai West Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Kootenai West Wildlife Management Area is 921 acres of land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Region 1, inside Hunting District 100. FWP lists black bear, elk, mountain lion, mule deer and white-tailed deer among the animals that may be hunted here. FWP's rule for the area: Opens at noon on May 15.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: FWP's page for Kootenai West WMA, read 2026-10-17. Boundary: FWP GIS.
National forestState trust landFWP landOther publicKootenai West WMAHunting district lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 921 acres (FWP) |
|---|---|
| FWP region | Region 1, Northwest Montana |
| Hunting districts | HD 100 |
| Rules | Opens at noon on May 15. |
| Camping | Not listed in FWP's area data |
| Hunter access | Please contact the regional office for more information. |
| Elevation | 2700 ft |
| Nearest towns | West Kootenai (next to it), Rexford (6 mi) and Indian Springs (8 mi) |
What are the rules on Kootenai West WMA?
Opens at noon on May 15. Access on foot or horseback only; several roads cross the area. FWP's 2026 regulations list West Kootenai WMA as closed December 2 to May 15.
Hunter access, as FWP puts it: Please contact the regional office for more information.
FWP prints a map of the area with its roads and rules: Kootenai West WMA map (PDF). Hunting follows the regulations of the district the ground is in.
What can you hunt on Kootenai West WMA?
FWP lists these big game animals for Kootenai West WMA: black bear, elk, mountain lion, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Also listed: ruffed grouse and wild turkey.
Which hunting districts is Kootenai West WMA in?
All of Kootenai West WMA lies in Hunting District 100. Each district's FWP harvest estimate, for the whole district, not the WMA alone:
| District | WMA acres in it | Elk harvested (district) | Deer harvested (district) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 100 North Kootenai | 921 | 103 (2025) | 1,140 (2025) |
Harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025). WMA acres in each district measured by FilledTag from FWP's boundaries.
How do you get to Kootenai West WMA?
From Eureka Montana, head east on MT-37 South for 13 miles. Turn right onto Lake Koocanusa Bridge. Turn right onto NF-92 and follow north for 6.2 miles. Turn right onto West Kootenai Road and follow for 6.8 miles. Turn right at the WMA sign immediately past Border Lane and follow dirt road for approximately .25 mile to the parking area.
Highways within 8 miles: MT 37 and US 93. Nearest towns: West Kootenai (next to it), Rexford (6 miles), Indian Springs (8 miles) and Eureka (10 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Kootenai West WMA open?
Opens at noon on May 15, by FWP's rule for the area. Hunting seasons are set by the district's regulations.
What can you hunt on Kootenai West WMA?
FWP lists black bear, elk, mountain lion, mule deer, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer and wild turkey for hunting or trapping on Kootenai West WMA. Each species follows the regulations of the hunting district the ground is in (HD 100).
Can you camp on Kootenai West WMA?
FWP does not list camping on Kootenai West WMA.
Which hunting district is Kootenai West WMA in?
All of it is in Hunting District 100 (North Kootenai).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, species, facilities and directions: FWP, Kootenai West WMA.
- Boundary and acres: FWP wildlife management area boundaries. Surrounding public land: Montana Cadastral Public Lands, Montana State Library, published 2026.
- District harvest: FWP Harvest Estimates (elk and deer, 2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.