Fish for trout in Goose Lake and Brundage Reservoir
Bring a shotgun for grouse hunting
Steelhead run up the Salmon and Little Salmon rivers
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Mule Deer
130"-150"
150"+
Whitetail Deer
120"-130"
140"+
Elk
Raghorn-290"
290"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
November 2024
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This unit consists of the Little Salmon River drainage south of Riggins and produces elk, mule deer and whitetail. Hunters can buy tags to hunt during general rifle or archery seasons for all three species or can draw tags that allow hunting during prime times.
This unit is sometimes crowded during general archery and rifle seasons for elk and deer while most deer and elk taken then are usually smaller. Hunters have a much better chance of taking mature bucks or bulls if they draw tags that allow rifle hunting during the elk or deer rut. The elk herd is limited by farmers' tolerance for them.
This unit is between Riggins and McCall and consists of mountains on both sides of U.S. Highway 95, which follows the Little Salmon River from New Meadows north. All land is in Idaho, Adams and Valley counties and is mostly between 3,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. The upper part of the river flows through thousands of acres of farm fields around New Meadows, a valley that is 1-4 miles across and about a dozen miles long. Downstream it borders hills and mountains in a narrow canyon. The hills quickly give way to forested mountains and then to rocky ridges and a few rugged mountains. Some slopes are steep, but many of the ridges and mountain creek bottoms are moderately gentle. Most of the mountains are in the Payette National Forest. The highest and most rugged peaks are along the northwestern edge of the unit. He Devil, She Devil, The Ogre, Devils Throne and Twin Imps are peaks that have high elevations. The higher peaks east of the river are between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.
Flat lands along the river are mostly planted in farm crops, while low-elevation hills are covered with grasses, low shrubs and sparse pines and firs. Cottonwoods, willows and riparian brush grow along streams. Most land above 4,000 feet and below 7,000 feet is forested with conifers. Species include ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. A lot of land has been deforested between 7,000 feet and timberline, which is about 9,000 feet. Burns are covered with thousands of fallen and standing tree trunks.
Hunters can camp along roads on public land. About 25 public or private campgrounds are in the unit or within a couple of miles. An example is the no-fee Goose Lake Camping Area, which is on the shore of Goose Lake, a 2-mile long body that offers trout fishing. Pinehurst Resort Cabins & RV Park is about 12 miles south of Riggins on Highway 95. Short Bar Campground is just east of Riggins on Big Salmon Road. Lodging is available in Riggins. Choices include Big Iron Motel, Riggins Motel, Salmon River Motel and Salmon Rapids Lodge. Lodging with 10 rooms and private baths available at Riggins Hot Springs.
Roughly 745 square miles
75.6% public land
Elevations from 2,600-8,800 feet
Most of the unit is public land in the Payette National Forest. A northwestern strip of the unit is in Hells Canyon Wilderness and is closed to motor vehicles. Outside the wilderness, roads and motorcycle trails provide access to forest land, allowing hunters to get within 2 miles of most places. The Forest Service makes motor vehicle use maps of this area available online. The main road through the unit, U.S. Highway 95, is paved and mostly borders private land and some BLM land. The farmland and pastures around New Meadow are almost all private as well as foothills near Riggins and along the Little Salmon River for about 15 miles from town.
Few trails are designated for ATVs
Many miles of motorcycle trails
Four-wheel-drive vehicles with tire chains are recommended