At a Glance
246Square Miles
72.4%Public Land
6,000 - 9,500Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Good fishing in Bear Lake for various types of fish
- Heavily hunted area for elk
- Mountainous terrain can make for a physical hunt
Unit 78 in Idaho offers challenging terrain that demands thorough preparation, with hunters emphasizing the importance of physical fitness due to the steep and rugged landscape. While draw odds can be tough, the unit is rich with elk, and those who put in the effort are often rewarded with successful encounters, especially during the early part of the season. Experienced hunters suggest scouting and familiarizing oneself with the area ahead of time to improve chances of success. Listening to fellow hunters, it's clear that persistence and understanding the natural behaviors and movement patterns of elk in this tough-to-navigate unit are key strategies.
West of Bear Lake and bordering Utah, this area has a lot of elk and mule deer numbers. Elk tags are sold over the counter, but deer hunter numbers have lessened due to a limit on rifle tags.
This area can produce some big mule deer, but most hunters work hard to take medium-size bucks. Elk numbers are decent, but heavy hunting pressure does not leave a lot of mature bulls. Some bulls that travel between Idaho and Utah's North Cache can get to trophy size. Bowhunters can buy elk tags over-the-counter.