Unit 33 in Idaho presents both opportunities and challenges for hunters, as noted by seasoned participants. The terrain is notably steep, requiring good physical preparation, which is echoed in experiences across various game hunts, including mule deer, elk, and black bear. While hunters report limited game visibility and challenging recovery conditions, elk and black bear are common, albeit often requiring strategic positioning at dusk or dawn, and a flexible, mobile camping strategy is recommended. High hunting pressure and variable weather conditions, such as late snow melts, further complicate the hunting, but those with experience emphasize e-scouting to adjust for seasonal changes and encourage sharing reliable insights among fellow hunters to enhance the overall hunting experience.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 260"-290" | 300"+ |
High
Low
Elk, mule deer and a low number of whitetail deer live in this unit, which is mostly in the Salmon River Mountains around Lowman and Garden Valley. Most land is public and is part of the Boise National Forest.
Elk and deer seldom get big because the state sells a lot of tags over-the-counter. Hunters must apply for tags to hunt deer during a muzzleloader season in November.
This area has long valleys with the Salmon River Mountains on both sides, which is mostly in the Boise National Forest. All land is in Boise and Valley counties inside the Payette River drainage. Most terrain is between 3,500-7,000 feet above sea level. Garden Valley and Loman are in the southern portion of the unit.
Almost all land is public except for Garden Valley and some foothills around it and strips of private property along the lower South Fork of the Payette River. The western edge of the unit is mostly state and BLM land. Most forest roads provide good access to a lot of the national forest, particularly the areas west of the Middle Fork of the Payette River and south of Garden Valley. Some roadless areas are big enough that hunters can get 2-3 miles from the closest road.
Most of the land is forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir. South slopes above 7,000 feet and below 5,000 feet are open and covered with wild grasses and shrubs. A few large farm fields are in Garden Valley between 3,050 and 3,200 feet above sea level. Willows, birches and other riparian brush species grow along the north, south and middle forks of the Payette River and their tributaries.
Roughly 670 square miles
93.4% public land
Elevations from 3,100-8,100 feet
A few miles of ATV trails
ATVs make travel easier on primitive roads
Four-wheel-drive vehicles with tire chains are recommended
Hunters can camp along roads on public land. At least 20 campgrounds are in Unit 33 or just outside it. The Forest Service rents Boiling Springs Cabin to hunters, and there at least 18 Emmett Ranger District campgrounds in or on the edge of this unit. Lodging is available in Sourdough Lodge in Loman. Sillver Springs Resort offers camping and cabins.