Quick Tips
- Fish for steelhead and trout in the Salmon River
- Forest grouse are common; bring a shotgun
- Bring a GPS and extra batteries
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
Hunters can either buy over-the-counter tags to hunt mule deer, whitetails or elk in this unit on the south side of the Salmon River, or draw rifle tags to hunt during the rut.
This area is crowded near roads, which are limited, but hunters who get away from roads by using motorcycle trails to reach areas where mature bulls are found every year in remote canyons.
Terrain
This unit is on the south side of the Salmon River. Land along both rivers is steep and parts of the breaks are rugged. Steep mountains and deep canyons make up the land for three to eight miles from the river, which then flattens into more moderate terrain. The southeast corner is also steep and rugged between Diamond Ridge and South Loon Lake. There are about 20 lakes, most of them in the southwestern corner, the largest being Loon Lake.
Roughly 462 square miles
98.9% public land
Elevations from 2,100-7,400 feet
Vegetation
A lot of land is covered by a mixture of pines, firs, cedars and spruces. South-facing slopes along the Salmon River are mostly grassy, brushy and rocky with scattered trees. Heavy timber can be found north of here. Large meadows usually sit in big basins at the heads of drainages. Bear grass takes up much space beneath old growth timber. The western part outside the Gospel Hump Wilderness features clearcuts that are in various stages of regrowth.
Access
A few roads and ATV trails provide access to some areas with motorcycle trails reaching many other parts of the unit. Hunters can boat the Salmon River to access the northern edge. Hunters can drive full-size vehicles to War Eagle Mountain. Hunters are allowed to use ATVs.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
The wilderness is closed to motor vehicles
Permits and daily fees are required to float or boat the Salmon River
Camping and Lodging
Hunters can camp almost anywhere on public land. Burgdorf Campground is on the western edge and has single campsites. To reach the campground from McCall, travel north for 30 miles on Warren Wagon Road (Forest Road 21) and turn left on Forest Road 246. Chinook Campground is near the ghost town of Warren and gives access to the Secesh River and Loon Lake trails. The campground is setup for horseback trails.
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April 2025
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