Hunters can buy over-the-counter tags to hunt elk and deer during general seasons in this mountainous unit, which is about 40 miles northeast of Boise. Hunters have to draw tags to muzzleloader hunt elk in late November and mule deer in late November and early December.

This unit has a lot of ideal mule deer habitat and a good number of deer. This unit gets so much elk hunting pressure that not a lot of bull elk reach trophy size.

Entirely mountainous and sitting about 40 miles northeast of Boise, this unit is almost entirely in Boise County and in the Boise National Forest. Most of the land is between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. A lot of slopes are steep, with a few of them rugged. There is only a small section that has huge cliffs or giant rock slides.

South and west slopes below about 6,500 feet are mainly covered with grasses, sagebrush and other low shrubs with scattered ponderosa pines. A lot of the trees are still standing, but the bulk of their branches are gone, and it’s now possible to glass across some canyons where previously it was impossible to see long distances. Now that sunlight is reaching the ground in the dead timber areas, forbs, grasses and browse plants are growing. Aspens, mountain maple, willows and mahoganies grow in some areas. There are a few meadows and grassy creek bottoms.

Almost all land is public property in the Boise National Forest. State Highway 21 bisects the unit from the western tip to the northeastern quarter, following the South Fork of the Payette River before angling north and east up Canyon Creek. Just north of the unit Bull Trout Lake Road (Forest Road 520) leaves Highway 21 and angles back southwest to Bull Trout Lake and Bull Trout Lake Campground and leads to several motorcycle trails. Unlike some parts of Idaho, hunters can drive on ATV and motorcycle trails. Near the South Fork of the Payette River a dozen or so roads wind into the mountains. Wapiti Creek trailhead gives access to another motorcycle trail that goes southwest. An ATV trail starts at Kirkham Ridge trailhead half a mile east of Kirkham Hot Springs.

Boise National Forest posts a Lowman Ranger District vehicle use map

ATVs may be driven on most dirt roads and some trails

Four-wheel-drive is recommended

Hunters can camp anywhere on public land. At least seven campgrounds are along the South Fork of the Payette River. Some of them close before the end of big game seasons. Bull Trout Lake Campground is west of Bull Trout Lake in the northeast. Several areas around the lake offer free camping. About 30 minutes away is Stanley, where hunters can find lodging. Choices include Sawtooth Hotel, Stanley High Country Inn and Mountain Village Resort. Sourdough Lodge in Lowman offers RV parking, a motel and cabins.