Quick Tips
- Steelhead fishing in the Salmon River
- ATVs are helpful on some forest roads
- Buy a wolf tag
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 180"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 280"-310" | 310"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
West of Challis and north and west of the Salmon River, this is a popular elk and deer hunting unit. A lot of bull elk and buck deer tags are sold over the counter. Road access to public land is good.
A popular area where hunters can buy over-the-counter general tags to hunt deer or elk, Unit 36B produces few trophy class bulls or bucks.
Terrain
This unit is entirely in Custer County and is west and north of the Salmon River. Most of the area is mountainous and steep although some high basins, meadows, valleys and ridges are flat to moderately steep. Some high points vary from about 8,250 feet to more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
Roughly 586 square miles
93.1% public land
Elevations from 5,800-10,000 feet
Vegetation
The eastern third of the unit and the southern edge consist of foothills, buttes and breaks that are treeless, covered primarily by wild grasses and various species of brush such as hackberry, sagebrush and serviceberry. Cottonwoods and willows line some waterways. Sparse trees grow on the higher parts of the breaks and fill most northern slopes. The western two-thirds of the unit is mostly forested, but some of the higher peaks and ridges are above timberline. Forests are mostly filled with various species of spruces, firs and pines.
Access
The main roads are U.S. Highway 93, which runs along the Salmon River on the eastern edge of the unit and Idaho Route 75, which runs along the river on the southern edge. Several forest roads leave these paved roads and lead into the mountains. The northern end is mainly accessed by Morgan Creek Road which branches into other forest roads, including some trails that are restricted to motorcycles. The Challis Creek Road branches into forest roads and trails west of Challis.
ATVs are helpful on some forest roads
Four-wheel-drive traction is recommended
Vehicle maps are sold at the Challis Forest Service office
Camping and Lodging
At least 18 campgrounds are in this unit or on its boundaries along U.S. Highway 93 and Idaho Route 75. Some campgrounds close in early fall. Mosquito Flat Campground near Mosquito Flat Reservoir is an interior campground. It has three sections with great views in an area with lots of lodgepole pines and grass. Lodging available in Challis includes Pioneer Motel and RV Park (phone: 208-879-6791), Watermark Inn (phone: 208-879-5084) and Northgate Inn Motel (phone: 208-879-2490).
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