At a Glance
Quick Tips
- An extra spare tire can be useful
- Carry a GPS
- Carry plenty of water, this is a dry area
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
Elk | Raghorn-290" | 290"+ |
Antelope | 70"-75" | 80"+ |
Hunters in Unit 68, Idaho have discussed various aspects of the upcoming controlled archery season, including the status of elk in velvet by August 1st, and a correction regarding tag allocation for the Big Desert Zone. While elk numbers appear low, reported harvest success remains high, possibly due to the skewing effects of low reported hunter numbers and private land opportunities. Those looking to hunt in the unit might benefit from focusing on areas with public land access, preparing for a proactive strategy. For further insights on archery antelope or deer hunting in Unit 68, networking with other hunters could yield additional valuable information.
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
Elk | Raghorn-290" | 290"+ |
Antelope | 70"-75" | 80"+ |
Antelope, mule deer and elk are hunted here, which is mainly high desert terrain covered by sagebrush, wild grasses and lava rock from Arco, southeast to Pocatello.
A lot of National Park Service and private land can be found here where hunting could be limited. Antelope hunting is excellent but elk and mule deer numbers are low.
High desert covered by sagebrush, wild grasses and junipers characterize this huge area. Miles of flat terrain from Arco, southeast to Pocatello. Hundreds of farm fields are near Blackfoot, American Falls Reservoir and Minidoka. Most land is flat to rolling and is below 5,000 feet in elevation.
The eastern third of the unit is mainly private land where hunters have to have permission to hunt. Comprising a large part of the unit are the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. INEL is a nuclear testing facility where access is restricted with no hunting. Parts of the Crater of the Moon are open to hunting; others are closed. Consult the National Park Service for updates. BLM land in Unit 68 has interior access routes that branch from boundary roads, such as U.S. Highways 26 and 20, Interstate 86 and Minidoka-Arco Road. To get to Big Southern Butte from Minidoka-Arco Road, turn east onto Quaking Asp-Frenchman Road to Frenchman Cabin and then turn toward the Butte.
Farmland occupies much of the land near Aberdeen, Minidoka, Arco and Blackfoot. Alfalfa, grass hay and potatoes are common crops. Bitterbrush and other browse plants grow on the edges of fields, along dry stream beds. The higher buttes support lodgepole pines, aspens, Douglas fir and other low shrubs.
Campers can hunt almost anywhere on BLM land. Lodging is available in Arco at the Arco Inn Motel and the Lost River Motel. Just off of the southeastern corner of the unit are several motels are in Blackfoot, including a Best Western and a Super 8. Shoshone-Bannock Hotel is in nearby Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Indian Springs Resort & RV Park in American Falls has a large hot pool. Bingham County provides RV sites and tent sites at Sportsmans Park near American Falls Reservoir.
Roughly 1,818 square miles
70.3% public land
Elevations from 4,200-7,560 feet
Four-wheel drive is recommended
ATVs are helpful in some areas