The discussion around Idaho's Unit 22 reveals varying levels of detail on hunting conditions, tag strategies, and game behavior. Hunters express a desire for more granular data on trophy potential and game statistics, specifically requesting a breakdown of figures for specific hunts like archery controlled hunts. Key insights include the behavior of elk sticking close to timber and the rugged terrain that demands significant effort from hunters, with suggestions to start scouting early and explore the less accessible areas to avoid road hunters. There's also discussion on the region's management practices, such as specific controlled tag requirements for black bears, with a shared sentiment of accessibility challenges due to recent fires and land closures. The sentiment is collaborative, as hunters offer to share insights and experiences to enhance collective success in this complex unit.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
High
Low
This area along the Oregon border offers hunting for elk, mule deer and whitetail deer. Hunters with over-the-counter tags can not shoot mature muleys, but hunters who draw tags enjoy excellent hunting for big muleys.
This unit is known for trophy size mule deer, which can be hunted during the rut in November by hunters who draw controlled tags.
This area borders Oregon and the Snake River for many miles. High points include Rush Peak, Cliff Mountain, Casey Mountain, Emmett Mountain, Smith Mountain and White Mountain. Terrain is rugged and steep in the Hells Canyon-Seven Devils Scenic Area along the Snake River north of Oxbow Dam. The mountains around Cliff, Casey, Emmett, White Mountains in the northeast and the north side of Wildhorse Creek also have steep and rugged sections. The rest of the unit varies from flat to moderately steep terrain. The southern and southwestern ends are mostly open foothills.
Payette National Forest has a network of roads that reach many canyons and mountains. The northern end is in the Hells Canyon Wilderness and is closed to motor vehicles. The Sheep Rock Area just south of the wilderness is accessible to hunters on foot or motorbike on designated trails. Four-wheel-drive roads and motorcycle trails cover much of the interior of the area. Most private land sections do not impede access to nearby public land.
Most land above 4,500 feet is forested except for steep south and west-facing slopes which are mainly covered with grass or low brush below 4,500 feet. The most common trees are conifers such as ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Riparian plants grow along streams, creeks and rivers including cottonwoods, willows, birches, hackberry bushes and alders. Some areas are covered with grasses and low brush, such as snowberry, wild rose and bitterbrush. Mountains above 8,000 feet are open and rocky with scattered pines, firs and shrubs. Some places above 7,000 feet are so steep and rocky that few plants other than lichens, mosses, clumps of grass and shrubs grow.
Roughly 857 square miles
73.3% public land
Elevations from 4,700-7,800 feet
ATVs are helpful on dirt roads
Four-wheel drive is recommended on dirt roads
Motorcycle trails lead to many areas closed to ATVs
More than a dozen campgrounds are in the unit or next to it. Woodland Park Campground offers sites near Brownlee Reservoir, Pine Ridge RV Park is on Lost Valley Reservoir Road and Frontier RV Park is in Cambridge on the southern tip. Blake Lake Campground is at the northern tip and has five free campsites. Lodging is available in McCall about 20 miles east of the unit as well as in Council, Mesa and Cambridge. A nice facility in McCall is The Hunt Lodge. The Cambridge House Bed & Breakfast is in Cambridge. Elkhorn Bed & Breakfast is in Mesa.