Unit 24 in Idaho seems to attract a significant number of hunters, leading to high traffic and crowded conditions during peak seasons, which has prompted some hunters to look for less populated areas. The presence of whitetail deer below 6000 feet, particularly near creeks and agricultural spots, offers some promise for those targeting this species. Clarifications around Idaho’s tag system reveal that while over-the-counter tags do not require drawing and are readily available starting December 1st, hunters seeking specific controlled hunts must apply separately. In terms of spring bear hunting, the lack of clear distinctions between public and private lands presents a challenge, particularly given that prime areas within the unit appear to involve a mix of both.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-160" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | Raghorn-300" | 300"+ |
High
Low
This popular unit around McCall, Lake Cascade and the Payette lakes offers general season archery and rifle hunting for elk, mule deer and whitetail. A November season offers hunters who use short-range weapons a chance to hunt during the rut.
Hunting can be crowded during elk and deer seasons with hunters who have bought over-the-counter tags.
Lake Cascade, Payette Lake, Long Valley, the North Fork of the Payette River and the Salmon River Mountains are the main areas in this unit. Long Valley is mostly flat, running more than 40 miles from McCall south to an extension, Round Valley, at elevations between 4,700 and 4,900 feet above sea level. The North Fork of the Payette River begins in the north part of the unit, draining the Salmon River Mountains in the Payette National Forest and filling Payette Lake then flowing south before it fills Lake Cascade. Winding past farm fields and groves of ponderosa pines before passing through a narrow gorge and exiting the unit at Smiths Ferry. The mountains on both sides of Long Valley and above Upper Payette Lake are mostly rolling with gentle and steep slopes. The steepest and rockiest terrain is on the northeastern edge, where several peaks and ridges reach over 8,500 feet.
Flat lands south of McCall are mostly planted in farm crops, while low-elevation hills are covered with grasses, low shrubs and sparse pines and firs. Cottonwoods, willows and riparian brush grow along streams. Most land above 4,000 feet and below 7,000 feet is forested with conifers. Species include ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Burns are covered with thousands of fallen and standing tree trunks. Alpine terrain above 8,000 feet has shrubs, grass, mosses, lichens and forbs. There is a lot of exposed rock on the high ridges and mountains.
Roughly 878 square miles
59.4% public land
Elevations from 4,700-8,500 feet
A lot of land is in the Payette National Forest with large pieces of state land north of Payette and Little Payette lakes and near Lake Cascade. Strips of BLM land border Lake Cascade and creeks running into the reservoir. The main road is State Highway 55, which runs through Long Valley and is mostly private. Part of Unit 24 is closed to hunting with high-powered rifles. A few miles of ATV trails and four-wheel-drive roads and motorcycle trails provide access to forest land, allowing hunters to get within two miles of most places. A Forest Service motor vehicle use map is available online.
Some trails are designated for ATVs
A lot of motorcycle trails
Four-wheel-drive vehicles with tire chains are recommended
Hunters may camp along roads on public land. About 25 campgrounds are in the unit. Most of them are on the shores of Lake Cascade, Payette Lake or Upper Payette Lake. There are nine campgrounds at Lake Cascade, offering 232 individual campsites. Lodging is available in McCall. A hunter-friendly inn is The Hunt Lodge, which is affiliated with Holiday Inn and is decorated with mounted game heads. The Shore Lodge is on the banks of Payette Lake. Private RV parks include McCall RV Resort, McCall Campground & RV Park and Golden RV Park. A nice place to camp is Ponderosa State Park at Payette Lake, which offers camping, RV parking and cabins.