Quick Tips
- Bring a shotgun to hunt pheasants and Hungarian partridge
- Watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather
- Bring GPS
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | Little-to-none | N/A |
| Elk | 270"-310" | 310"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
The Black Pine Unit, named after the mountain range has been known to produce a lot of mule deer and some smaller numbers of bull elk.
Mainly known for its big mule deer, this unit has long been managed under a limited-tag system to control hunting pressure.This allow bucks to get old enough to grow big racks. Bull elk rifle tags are issued through the state draw.
Terrain
The Black Pine Mountains dominate this area, reaching almost 9,400 feet above sea level and nearly 5,000 feet above the Raft River, Curlew and Juniper valleys around it. The valleys are almost flat and hold several pastures, dry farms and alfalfa fields. The fields are in the northwestern and southeastern corners. Above the fields are rolling foothills at the base of the mountain. The sides of ridges are steep, but not rugged. The mountain range and Raft River Valley are in Cassia County.
Roughly 357 square miles
69.7% public land
Elevations from 4,700-9,400 feet
Vegetation
Mountains here have northern slopes covered in dark timber, giving the Black Pine range its name. The timber consists of Douglas and subalpine firs. Below those forests are woodlands of Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon pine and stands of aspens and mahoganies. Sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, wild grasses and shrubs and forbs grow on many ridges and on open, southern and western exposures. Willows, cottonwoods and riparian brush some conifers grow near some creeks. Bitterbrush, chokecherries, service berries and other shrubs, provide browse for big game. Alfalfa, grass hay and grains are the main crops grown in private farm fields, most of which are near Malta and in Curlew Valley.
Access
The Sawtooth National Forest manages the Black Pine Mountains and most of its foothills, while the BLM has several thousand acres in Raft River Valley and smaller tracts in Curlew and Juniper valley. Most of the valleys are private, preventing easy access to a few canyons and creek drainages in the mountains and foothills.
Carry a GPS with land ownership data
Hunters can use dirt bikes on roads and one motorcycle trail
Sawtooth National Forest publishes an online vehicle use map
Camping and Lodging
Some hunters camp along dirt roads. Camping is allowed almost anywhere on public land. A BLM campground, McClendon Spring, has five campsites at no charge northwest of Malta. The closest lodging is in Burley, which is 37 miles from the northern tip of the unit. Lodging options in Burley include Burley Inn and Convention Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Budget Motel. Flamingo Lodge Motel can also be found in Rupert.
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