Hunters discussing Unit 30, Idaho, collectively emphasize the unit's mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. While some express concerns about the presence of grizzlies, most agree that encounters are rare, with black bears posing a more likely encounter. Archery hunters report that elk are present and vocal during peak rut around mid-September, though hunting pressure and ATV activity can affect animal behavior, often keeping elk in more remote areas. Navigating public access can be tricky, with private lands complicating road access, so confirming easements and using reliable mapping tools like OnXmaps is recommended. Overall, hunters appreciate the scenic beauty and wilderness experience, but note the importance of being prepared for the area's pressures, focusing on less trafficked backcountry spots, and exercising bear safety during the hunt.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 300"-330" | 330"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-65" | 65"+ |
High
Low
This is a narrow unit tucked between the Lemhi River and the Montana line. This area holds high numbers of elk, mule deer, whitetail and antelope.
A special early October rifle season can be a good time for hunters to try for elk. There is a limited tag extended rifle season for big mule deer and a late whitetail season for hunters with short-range weapons.
This area is the east side of the Lemhi Valley and the mountains between the Lemhi River and the Montana border. The mountains are steep and rugged and rise rapidly from foothills except in the northern end where the foothills are wider and the mountains moderately steep. The valley is long, flat and narrow and is filled with pastures, farm land, marshes and the Lemhi River bottoms.
The main road is Idaho Highway 28 on the western boundary. Several roads leave Highway 28 and follow creeks and canyons up the mountains to the east. Some of those roads include the Lewis and Clark Highway east of Tendoy, Ramsey Mountain Road east of Lemhi and Reece Creek and Petersen Creek roads south of Lemhi.
Lowlands are covered with grassy pastures with some sagebrush, river bottoms full of willows, river birch, alders and berry bushes, farms planted mostly in alfalfa and some cattails and bulrushes in marshy ground. Foothills are mostly open and grassy. Sagebrush, serviceberries, bitterbrush and other low bushes grow on the foothills. Northern and eastern slopes above the foothills are mostly forested with Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce and ponderosa pine with subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, blue spruce and other high-elevation conifers above about 8,000 feet. Timberline is about 9,000 above sea level. Lichens, mosses, low shrubs, sparse and stunted trees, wildflowers and grasses grow at or above timberline.
Roughly 402 square miles
79.6% public land
Elevations from 4,100-10,000 feet
Hunters can drive ATVs only on roads built for full-size vehicles
Hunters can drive on ATV trails to recover game
Four-wheel-drive is recommended on secondary roads
Most hunters camp along dirt roads or pack a light mountain tent into roadless sectors. Salmon Meadows Campground and RV Park in Salmon has cable TV hookups. Agency Creek Campground offers four primitive sites at no charge. Lower Hawley Creek Campground, just east of Leadore and just outside the unit, offers free camping on 22 primitive campsites. Lodging is available in Salmon at such places as hunter-friendly Sacajawea Inn, Syringa Lodge and Stagecoach Inn.