Unit 74 in Idaho presents mixed reviews from hunters, predominantly regarding the scarcity of game and the challenging terrain. Access to state and BLM land is a concern, with some maps providing conflicting information about road availability, making on-the-ground reconnaissance crucial. Success seems tied to substantial hiking efforts, and hunters who pushed deeper into the unit often reported at least encountering game signs, if not actual animals. Non-resident draw odds are notably low, with confusion surrounding the calculations, suggesting hunters should manage expectations and consider alternate plans or units to maximize the limited hunting time available.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
High
Low
Largely private, this unit offers good numbers of mule deer and fair numbers of elk in the Fish Creek Range and part of the Portneuf Range. Much of the Fish Creek Range is BLM land, while a good percentage of the Portneuf Range is state land.
Mule deer thrive in this unit and are recovering from reductions caused by drought, severe winters, predation, overhunting and other factors. Elk hunters can buy archery tags over-the-counter or draw rifle tags.
North of Preston, this area stretches past Lava Hot Springs to Bancroft and includes the Fish Creek Range and part of the Portneuf Range, including Cottonwood Peak and Cottonwood Canyon. Foothills drop to the valleys, which are mixed with private pastures and crop fields. A lot of irrigated fields are between Thatcher and Bancroft in the east and between Downey and McCammon in the west.
Hunters can get within a short hike of most public land on public access roads. Some areas are landlocked by private land, while some public slopes and canyons are hard to reach without hiking a mile or more. Good access roads in the Fish Creek Range are Squaw Creek, North Canyon and Mill Creek Roads, which start near Bancroft. U.S. Highway 30 east of Lava Hot Springs crosses the Fish Creek Range and is a short hike from the edge of the Petticoat Peak Wilderness Study Area, where no vehicles are allowed. The Cottonwood Creek Road leads to other roads that provide access to public land in the Portneuf Range. Several other roads emanate from Swan Lake, Downey and Grace.
Low country is mostly made of agricultural land separated by draws and washes full of sagebrush and grass with willows with brush found along creeks. Alfalfa is the dominant crop. Some foothills are covered by sagebrush and maple brush with scattered junipers and patches of aspens. Mountains are mostly open on western and southern exposures and timbered or heavily brushed on north and east exposures. Firs, pines and spruces along with some aspens grow in the mountains. Serviceberry, chokecherry, bitterbrush and sagebrush are the main browse plants, while dense bigtooth maple brush gives good cover for deer and elk.
Lodging is available in Preston and Lava Hot Springs. Most hunters camp on BLM or state land in the Fish Creek Range or the Portneuf Mountains.
Roughly 611 square miles
25.8% public land
Elevations from 4,800-9,100 feet
Hunters may drive ATVs on designated roads and trails
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended