Montana Unit 380 Moose Hunting Guide

Montana's moose tags are among the most coveted permits in the western United States, and Unit 380 stands out as a unit with a track record that serious moose hunters need to know about. Over the past four years, hunters who have drawn a Unit 380 moose tag have experienced some of the most consistent harvest success in the state — a fact that makes every application cycle worth the investment of time and points. This guide breaks down what the data shows about Unit 380, what it costs to apply, and whether this unit deserves a spot at the top of your Montana moose application list.

Montana moose hunting is a limited-entry, once-in-a-lifetime type of experience for most hunters. The state issues a small number of permits per unit, draws are highly competitive regardless of residency status, and the animals themselves represent a genuine bucket-list pursuit. Unit 380 moose hunting, specifically, has produced a four-year harvest dataset that is difficult to ignore — and the numbers tell a compelling story about what hunters can expect when they do finally draw this tag.

Harvest Success Rates in Unit 380

The harvest data for Montana Unit 380 moose is exceptional by any standard. Here is what the record shows across the four most recent seasons tracked by HuntPilot:

• 2024: 7 hunters participated, 7 harvested — 100% success rate
• 2023: 7 hunters participated, 7 harvested — 100% success rate
• 2022: 9 hunters participated, 6 harvested — 67% success rate
• 2021: 6 hunters participated, 6 harvested — 100% success rate

Over those four seasons, Unit 380 produced a combined harvest of 26 moose from 29 hunters — a multi-year success rate of approximately 90%. Three of the four years were at perfect 100%, with 2022 being the lone exception at 67%, still a strong result by any measure.

This level of consistency is not common across Montana's moose units. A 100% success rate in back-to-back years (2023 and 2024), combined with 100% in 2021, signals that when hunters draw this tag, they are going into a unit where moose are accessible and encounters translate into kills at a high rate. That 2022 dip to 67% is worth noting — it keeps the unit honest and suggests that not every season is a guaranteed chip-in — but the surrounding years provide strong context that Unit 380 performs at an elite level relative to total hunter effort.

The total tag numbers are also worth understanding. With seven to nine hunters per year, this is an extremely limited-entry hunt. The small hunter pool means minimal hunting pressure within the unit itself, which contributes directly to those high success figures.

Trophy Quality

Unit 380 has a meaningful history of producing trophy-class Shiras' moose. Based on the historical trophy record data, the area demonstrates strong trophy potential — this is not a unit with an isolated lucky entry or two, but rather a sustained pattern of trophy production that supports treating Unit 380 as a legitimate destination for hunters with trophy aspirations.

For context, Shiras' moose (the subspecies found throughout Montana and the northern Rockies) are the smallest of North American moose subspecies, but mature bulls are still massive animals capable of producing exceptional antler development in quality habitat. The trophy bar for what constitutes a record-class Shiras' bull is well-defined, and Unit 380 has contributed to that registry in a meaningful way.

Given the unit's high harvest success rates paired with its trophy history, hunters who draw this tag are entering a unit that offers both a high probability of punching their tag and a legitimate shot at a trophy-caliber animal.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 380 Worth Applying For?

Short answer: Yes — this is one of the more compelling moose draws in Montana.

The data from HuntPilot makes the case clearly. A 90% four-year success average across low-pressure, small-allocation draws is exactly what serious moose hunters are looking for. Three of four seasons at 100% is remarkable for any big game species, and moose hunting in Montana — which often involves challenging terrain and a limited season window — is not a situation where 100% success happens by accident.

The honest caveats: Montana moose draws are notoriously difficult. Regardless of residency, hunters should expect to invest significant preference points before drawing any moose permit in the state. The forum record on Montana moose draws is full of hunters who applied for 15, 20, even 30+ consecutive years before pulling a tag. That is the reality of Montana's moose draw landscape statewide — not specific to Unit 380, but relevant context for anyone building an application strategy.

For nonresidents, the cost structure is substantial (detailed in the application section below), but the value proposition is strong when the draw success data is this consistent. For residents, Unit 380 represents one of the better return-on-points investments in Montana's moose draw system.

The bottom line: hunters who are serious about Montana moose should have Unit 380 in their active rotation. The harvest data is among the strongest in the state, the trophy history is legitimate, and the low annual hunter counts mean the unit is not being pressured to the point of diminishing returns. Apply, accumulate points, and be patient — this tag is worth the wait.

For current draw odds and point requirements, check the HuntPilot Unit 380 page at huntpilot.ai/states/mt.

How to Apply for Montana Unit 380 Moose

Montana's moose draw operates on a preference point system, meaning that hunters who have accumulated more points receive priority in the draw. All hunters — resident and nonresident — apply through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) during the same application window.

2026 Application Dates

For the 2026 draw cycle, applications open March 1, 2026 and the deadline is May 1, 2026. Draw results are announced May 15, 2026. Both residents and nonresidents share these same application dates and results timeline.

2026 Fees — Resident

For 2026, resident moose applicants should budget for the following:

• Application fee: $10
• License fee (required to apply): $8.00
• Point fee (if banking a point rather than drawing): $10
• Tag fee (if drawn): $125

Residents must hold a valid Montana hunting license before applying. The $8.00 license fee is required to participate in the draw — it is not optional and is separate from the application fee.

Total cost to apply (resident): $18 upfront per application cycle. If drawn, add $125 for the tag itself.

2026 Fees — Nonresident

For 2026, nonresident moose applicants face a significantly higher cost structure reflecting Montana's nonresident fee schedule:

• Application fee: $50
• License fee (required to apply): $65.00
• Point fee (if banking a point rather than drawing): $50
• Tag fee (if drawn): $1,250

Nonresidents must hold a valid Montana nonresident hunting license before they can enter the draw. The $65.00 license fee is a hard requirement, not an optional add-on — hunters who skip this step will be ineligible to apply.

Total cost to apply (nonresident): $115 upfront per application cycle. If drawn, the tag fee adds another $1,250, bringing total licensing and tag costs to $1,365 before any hunting or travel expenses.

Given that most nonresidents will apply for many years before drawing a moose permit in Montana, the annual application cost is a real budget item to plan for. Over a decade of applying, a nonresident will spend over $1,000 in application and license fees alone before ever holding a tag — a common reality in Montana's most competitive draws.

Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the harvest success rate for Montana Unit 380 moose?

Unit 380 has produced exceptional harvest success over the past four seasons. In 2024 and 2023, all seven hunters who drew tags harvested moose — a perfect 100% success rate in both years. In 2021, all six hunters who drew also harvested, again at 100%. The 2022 season saw six of nine hunters harvest, a 67% rate. Across all four seasons combined, Unit 380 produced a multi-year success rate of approximately 90%, making it one of the more consistent performing moose units in Montana based on recent data.

How big are the moose in Montana Unit 380?

Unit 380 has a legitimate trophy history for Shiras' moose. Based on available trophy records, this area demonstrates strong trophy potential with consistent production of trophy-class animals over multiple decades. Shiras' moose are the smallest North American moose subspecies, but mature bulls in quality Montana habitat can be genuinely impressive animals. Hunters drawing this tag should go in with realistic expectations — trophy-class bulls are achievable here based on the historical record, but they are never guaranteed on any single hunt. The combination of high harvest success and solid trophy history makes Unit 380 one of the more well-rounded moose permits available in Montana.

Is Montana Unit 380 moose worth applying for?

Yes — the data strongly supports applying for Unit 380. The four-year harvest record is among the most consistent available in Montana's moose draw system, with three perfect seasons out of four and a combined 90% success average. The trophy history is legitimate, and the small annual tag allocation keeps pressure minimal. The trade-off is draw difficulty: Montana moose permits are among the hardest draws in the state for both residents and nonresidents, and hunters should expect a multi-year point investment before drawing. But if the goal is to eventually hunt a high-quality Montana moose unit with documented success and trophy potential, Unit 380 belongs near the top of any serious application list.

What does it cost to apply for a Montana Unit 380 moose tag?

For the 2026 draw cycle, residents pay a $10 application fee plus a required $8.00 license fee — $18 total to apply. If drawn, the resident tag fee is $125. Nonresidents pay a $50 application fee plus a required $65.00 license fee — $115 total to apply. If drawn, the nonresident tag fee is $1,250. These fees apply per draw cycle and accumulate over multiple years of applications. Always confirm current fees at the Montana FWP website before applying, as fees are subject to change.

How difficult is it to draw a Montana moose permit?

Montana moose draws are among the most competitive in the state, rivaling sheep and goat for multi-year point requirements. The preference point system means hunters who have applied longer receive priority, but even high-point holders may wait many years before drawing in the most competitive units. Hunters familiar with Montana's special license draws often report applying for 15 or more consecutive years before pulling a moose permit. The advice is simple: start applying early, apply every year without missing a cycle, and treat this as a long-term point accumulation strategy. For current draw odds and point breakdowns specific to Unit 380, visit the HuntPilot Montana page at huntpilot.ai/states/mt.