The discussion surrounding Idaho's Unit 66A highlights the complexity of the state's nonresident tag allocation system, which operates on a statewide level rather than by individual units, and caps nonresident allocations at 10%. Although perplexing initially, understanding that nonresident draws are randomized and can result in drawing a tag even in units with as few as one tag explains how a 5.8% draw chance is possible, even without available tags. Meanwhile, practical advice is exchanged for hunters heading to the area; a hunter planning an October trip with moose and mule deer tags encourages sharing recent observations and intel, emphasizing the value of collaborative knowledge. Overall, the key takeaway is the importance of grasping Idaho's distinctive draw process and the benefits of networking to enhance hunting success.
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This area can be found between Palisades Reservoir and Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Eastern Idaho unit has good backcountry moose hunting.
This is a great place for hunting moose and has high success rates.
There are some high mountains and the drainages off of the peaks here. Caribou Mountain is the second-highest peak in the state and goes above the marshes of the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which is about 6,000 feet in elevation. The mountains here are almost entirely inside Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Road access to the National Forest is at Jackknife Creek west of Etna, off of Highway 34. Tincup is on the southern boundary here and McCoy Creek Road is the northern boundary. Inside trails are closed to all motor vehicles here.
Spruces, firs and pines take up most of the mountains here along with big aspen groves, with grassy meadows and basins. Lower elevations have a lot of bigtooth maple brush, chokecherries, serviceberries and scattered junipers with sagebrush and grassy meadows. The Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is mostly covered in cattails, bulbrush willows and more vegetation growing on high points and next to streams.
Some hunters camp near the McCoy Creek Road, Jackknife Creek Road or Highway 34, where there are a lot of flat places that are good for camping. Backcountry hunters can camp almost anywhere here. There are no Forest Service campgrounds are in the unit, but hunters can use the Alpine Campground on the eastern side of Palisades Reservoir before the it closes on Sept. 12. Calamity Campground, on the west side of the reservoir has a loop that stays open with campsites that have no services. Lodging can be found in Thayne,
Thayne lodging:
Roughly 268 square miles
70.8% public land
Elevations from 6,300-9,803 feet
ATVs are recommended
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
Mark where you park with a GPS
Dutch Oven Inn
Snider's Rustic Inn
Wolf Den
Star Valley Ranch RV Park
Cabin Creek Inn