Quick Tips
- Scout before the season to learn where to hunt
- The Snake River has sturgeon, steelhead, salmon and trout
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 260"-320" | 320"+ |
On The Ground
A corner of the Nez Perce National Forest and some public land along the Snake River in Hells Canyon can be found in this area. Mule deer and elk hunters have to draw tags, but whitetail hunters can buy general tags.
This is one of the better places in Idaho for hunting mature mule deer. Public areas get a lot of pressure despite a limit on tags. Elk tags are limited and most bulls are on private land. There is good whitetail hunting on private land.
Terrain
This area is made up of steep ridges on the edges with flatter ground in the interior. The southern tip of this area is in the Nez Perce National Forest with narrow strips of private land along much of the river north of the forest boundary. The Oregon side of the canyon is part of Hells Canyon Wilderness and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America and is rough, steep and rugged. Some of the canyons that drain into Hells Canyon are also deep, steep and rugged.
Roughly 345 square miles
26.4% public land
Elevations from 1,100-6,200 feet
Vegetation
Most land above and below 3,500 feet is forested except for steep south and west-facing slopes which are covered with grass or low brush. Common trees include conifers such as ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Riparian plants grow along streams, creeks and rivers including willows, birches, hackberry bushes and alders. Some areas are covered with grasses and low brush such as snowberry, wild rose and bitterbrush. Some grasses are Idaho fescue, cheatgrass and bluebunch wheatgrass. Mountains are open and rocky with scattered pines, firs and shrubs.
Access
Access for hunting in Unit 13 is limited because of the large amount of private land. There are many scattered parts of state land including two state pieces that are about 4,000 acres. Deer Creek, Dry Creek and Wolf Creek roads reach the river and a couple of other roads get close. Hunters can use Deer Creek Road (Forest Road 493) to reach lands in the Nez Perce National Forest and Pittsburg Landing in the bottom of the Snake River Canyon.
Four-wheel-drive is recommended in bad weather
ATVs not necessary
Check with landowners before driving ATVs on private land
Camping and Lodging
Pittsburg Landing on the Snake River at the southern tip of the unit has 28 campsites. Hoots Motel and Café and Swiftwater RV Park & Store are on the eastern edge of the unit near White Bird. Pine Bar Campground, which is managed by the BLM on the northeastern edge, has six campsites.
Historical Temperatures
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