- Trout fishing in Anderson Ranch Reservoir
- Carry a GPS and hike around private property
- Use a dirt bike to use trails reserved for motorcycle riders
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|
Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 120"+ |
Elk | 280"-310" | 310"+ |
This unit contains part of Anderson Ranch Reservoir and stretches north and east. It includes part of the Smoky Mountains and other mountain terrain in the Boise and Sawtooth national forests.
This is a good place to hunt elk, especially if you draw one of the early rifle tags. Mule deer hunting is difficult, but some hunters who have learned the area well and have figured out how to hunt here take some big bucks. Deer hunting can be crowded, especially near roads.
This unit is mostly mountainous terrain in Blaine, Elmore and Camas counties north and northeast of Anderson Ranch Reservoir and above the headwaters of the Salmon and Boise rivers. The central and western parts are in the Boise Mountains. High points include Trinity, Dog, Iron, Jumbo, Sprout, Bald and Dollarhide mountains, Paradise Peak and Pony Ridge. Most of these peaks are higher than 9,000 feet, and some are close to 10,000 feet.
Timberline varies from about 9,000 to 9,500 feet. Above the tree line grow lichens, mosses on stable rock outcroppings and low shrubs and wild grasses on thin soils and in alpine basins. The highest trees are sparse firs, pines and spruces and below them are dense conifer forests. Lower forests have Douglas firs, Engelmann spruce, aspen and ponderosa pines. Huckleberries, snowberries, white spirea, mallow ninebark, Oregon grape and other shrubs and forbs grow on forest floors. The foothills below timber are mostly covered with sagebrush and wild bunchgrass with some high bushes that provide food and cover. Mountain maple, chokecherry and serviceberry bushes provide browse and cover for deer and elk.
Many roads provide access to much of the forest land. Most are open to all motor vehicles, but some are designated for use by travelers on ATVs or motorcycles. Hunters can drive ATVs or motorcycles on designated trails where full-size vehicles are not allowed. ATV trails are restricted to vehicles no more than 50” wide. Some of the high terrain is roadless, so hunters must ride horses or hike.
Hunters can camp along dirt roads or motorcycle trails. About two dozen campgrounds are in the unit or near its borders. Places to camp include Alturas Inlet Campground with 28 sites, Smiley Creek Lodge Campground with 25 sites, Easley Campground with 10 sites, Pioneer Campground with 10 sites and Little Roaring River Lake Campground with four sites. Hayhurst Bed & Breakfast is in Pine which is just 1 ½ miles north of Anderson Ranch Reservoir. Fort Running Bear RV Park is just south of the unit and has 74 sites.
Roughly 701 square miles
96.8% public land
Elevations from 4,500-10,000 feet
Four-wheel-drive is recommended on secondary and primitive roads