This unit is mostly remote, hard to reach roadless terrain in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River drainage. Hunters can buy tags over the counter to hunt elk and mule deer. Applicants in the yearly drawing are assured of getting late season deer tags.

Despite low elk numbers, hunters still take about 100 bulls a year. Mule deer hunting is difficult during the general season, but hunters with controlled permits that allow hunting in November take some mature bucks. There are hardly any whitetails taken in this unit.

One of the most remote and isolated wilderness units in the West, Unit 27 consists of a large part of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in the Challis and Payette national forests. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River runs up through the middle of the unit and skirts the northwest edge before dumping into the Main Salmon River about 40 miles west of Salmon. Land is mostly mountainous with some large canyons and steep, rugged mountains, including Mount Wilson, which is 9,580 feet above sea level, Puddin Mountain at 9,684 feet, Aggipah Mountain at 9,920 feet and Mount McGuire at 10,082 feet. The Middle Fork is at about 5,500 feet in the south end of the unit and drops in elevation to about 3,025 feet in the north.

Much of the terrain is open, consisting of grassy slopes with scattered brush or timber patches, high mountain meadows, alpine basins, and high, rugged and rocky mountains. North and east facing slopes and deep draws are mostly timbered with spruces, pines and firs. Some areas have been burned by forest fires and are ideal for game with grass and browse plants taking hold as new trees begin to grow. Old growth forests are mostly sterile, supporting few deer and elk but providing a great deal of escape cover.

Some hunters in areas with roads outside the wilderness camp along dirt roads. No towns are close enough to make motel lodging a reasonable option. Most guided hunters or those with pack strings often stay in wall tent camps. Hunters use backpack style tents or bivouac tents and are allowed to camp almost anywhere in the wilderness.

The vast majority of land is roadless, but hunters can reach various access points in several ways. A mining district and several trailheads in the south can be reached by ATV or four-wheel-drive vehicle. The Seafoam Ranger Station, many lakes and several mines can be reached on forest roads that are accessible from Highway 21 north of Stanley. Hunters also can drive from Warm Lake on Forest Road 579 to reach Forest Roads 447 (Burnt Logging Road) and then the Lucky Lad Road (Forest Road 447E.) Several airstrips offer access into the heart of Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, such as a private airstrip in Pistol Creek. Flying services include Sawtooth Flying Service, Arnold Aviation and McCall Aviation. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River provides access by raft to some wilderness sites. Most are reachable only by horseback or foot. Numerous trailheads lead into the wilderness. You can drive to the Salmon River across from the Middle Fork, but to reach Unit 27 you should bring a canoe or raft or at a minimum a float tube and fins to cross the river. Hunters can hire a flying service to reach some of the airstrips in the wilderness and then hike from there.