Hunters discussing Idaho's Unit 21 shared valuable insights into tag validity and season dates, emphasizing the need to check the latest regulations and specific unit allowances for deer and elk tags. Many pointed out that areas like Owl Creek and Spring Creek tend to draw heavy hunter traffic due to their accessibility, suggesting venturing further from paved roads to encounter less competition. Experiences varied, with some hunters noting successes in different parts of the unit, while others highlighted challenges like wolves affecting prey behavior or difficult terrain like fallen timber complicating access. Overall, hunters advised being adaptable and well-prepared for rapidly changing conditions in the area, highlighting the importance of researching terrain and game movements carefully.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-160" | 180"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
High
Low
Elk, mule deer and whitetail live in this Salmon River unit which is on the east side of the North Fork and borders Montana west to Stripe Mountain.
This is a difficult area to hunt because animals are scattered, terrain is steep, wolves and bears are common and there is a lot of dark timber.
Mountains are steep with some flat ridges and basins. The Salmon River flows from about 3,600 feet and drops to about 2,800 feet above sea level. High points include Allan Point, Stripe Mountain and Waugh Mountain. A lot of the terrain is made up of mountains and ridges that are more than 5,000 feet but less than 8,000 feet in elevation. The mountains drop right into the Salmon River Canyon, which has some of the steepest and most open terrain.
Ponderosa pines, aspens, cottonwoods, Douglas firs, junipers, birches, alders and various bushes grow along the Salmon River. Most canyons draining into the river have dense timber and brush in the creek bottoms with trees that get progressively sparse with elevation. Above the Salmon River breaks are ridges and mountains that are heavily timbered with firs, spruces and pines. Beneath the conifers grows bear grass. Charred tree trunks can be found in some places, with grass, brush and saplings filling in the openings.
Roughly 509 square miles
99.1% public land
Elevations from 2,800-9,100 feet
Most hunters camp along dirt roads. Campgrounds are along the Salmon River, along its North Fork and near the northern border at Horse Creek. Popular campgrounds for hunters include Horse Creek Hot Springs and Campground, Spring Creek Campground, The Village Campground and Ebenezer Campground. Broken Arrow RV Park is at Gibbonsville on the North Fork.Lodging options in Salmon include:
Roads in the eastern three-fourths of the unit provide access to a large part of the interior while the western fourth is mostly remote, roadless wilderness. The main roads are U.S. Highway 93 and Forest Road 30. Hunters can drive to the western part of the unit from Montana over Horse Creek Pass. Many roads are open to all motor vehicles. Some have seasonal closures and the only motor vehicles allowed on others are motorcycles.
A Forest Service road use map is available online
ATVs are recommended on rough primitive roads
Four-wheel-drive is recommended on secondary roads