Quick Tips
- Bring a shotgun to hunt grouse
- Trout fishing in Big Cottonwood and Goose creeks
- Carry extra water and gasoline
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 180"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 120"+ |
| Elk | 300"-340" | 350"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 80"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is between Twin Falls and the Nevada/Utah line and is west of Oakley. Mule deer and elk live mainly in the mountains, while antelope live on flat desert valleys and low foothills.
Terrain
This area has a series of ridges and hills between 5,500-7,500 feet. Most ridges are separated by steep canyons and ridges. The mountainous parts of this unit are in the Sawtooth National Forest although the northern reaches and the southwestern part are on BLM land with private inholdings, mostly in the bottoms. All the land is in Cassia and Twin Falls counties.
Roughly 1,366 square miles
59.7% public land
Elevations from 3,800-8,000 feet
Vegetation
Irrigated alfalfa fields and dry farms planted in grain dominate the lower parts of the unit. Sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, wild grasses and low shrubs and forbs grow on lowlands and foothills along with junipers. Willows, cottonwoods and riparian brush grow near creeks. In certain places creek bottoms are marshy and are choked with thistles, foreign tamarisk, cattails and bulrushes. Bitterbrush, chokecherries, service berries and other shrubs grow on foothills and the higher ridges and slopes. North slopes are usually heavily forested with firs, lodgepole pines and aspens. South and west slopes are mainly open brush fields with stands of aspens, mahoganies and junipers providing cover.
Access
Most of the mountains, ridges and canyons are on public land managed by the Sawtooth National Forests with the northern and southwestern parts managed by the BLM with private inholdings on some ridges and in several bottoms. Most of the springs in the southwestern quarter are on private land. The northern part of the unit as well as the eastern edge and the northwestern area are mainly private. Lower Goose Creek Reservoir on the eastern edge is surrounded by mostly BLM and state land.
Carry a GPS with land ownership data
Hunters can use ATVs or dirt bikes on designated routes in part of the unit
Sawtooth National Forest motor vehicle use maps can be found online
Download the Minidoka Cassia Division map
Camping and Lodging
A lot of hunters camp along dirt roads, which is allowed almost anywhere on public land in the unit. At least nine campgrounds are on national forest land, and a BLM campground is on the eastern side southwest of Oakley, where the city maintains an RV park with 11 sites. The BLM campground is next to Trapper Creek Road just east of the western arm of Lower Goose Creek Reservoir.
Historical Temperatures
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