- Bring a shotgun to hunt pheasants
- In early seasons motorcycles are helpful on designated trails
- Hike above dense juniper forests
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|
Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
Whitetail Deer | Little-to-none | N/A |
Elk | 290"-320" | 330"+ |
Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
This unit is found in south central Idaho and lies along the Utah border. Both the Albion and Jim Sage Mountain ranges are found here which are home to good deer populations and scattered densities of elk. Private lands dominate much of the low country but the mountainous regions are generally public and open for exploring.
Good numbers of mule deer can be found in this unit. Whitetail can be found in good numbers as well but are mostly encountered on the northern end of the unit near agricultural lands. Scattered populations of elk dot the landscape but great hunting can be had for hunters who work hard.
Several mountain ranges and the valleys on their sides make up this unit, which is in Cassia County, borders Utah and is between Malta and Oakley. The largest and highest range is the Albion Mountains. The northern part of the range is dominated by 9,265-foot Mount Harrison. The highest point in the southern half is Cache Peak, one of the highest peaks in southern Idaho at an elevation of 10,339 feet. Most of this area is open and conducive to glassing. Much of the northern facing aspects in the Albion Mountains will see a heavier distribution of heavy timber which provides cover and security for the local herds.
Sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, wild grasses and low shrubs and forbs grow on lowlands and foothills along with junipers. Willows, cottonwoods and riparian brush grow along the creeks. On low and middle-elevation slopes grow mahoganies, bitterbrush, chokecherries, service berries and other shrubs along with many small stands of quaking aspen and junipers.
Some hunters camp along dirt roads, which is allowed almost anywhere on public land in the unit. Four campgrounds are north and northwest of Mount Harrison, including two campgrounds on the shore of Lake Cleveland. Those campgrounds are often open into October. Lodging is available in Albion at Marsh Creek Inn and Albion Bed & Breakfast.
There are a few places to buy food once in the unit, so some hunters lodge in Burley on the north end, making the round trip from hunting areas every day to dine in restaurants and stay in hotels or motels. Some lodging options in Burley include Burley Inn and Convention Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites and Budget Motel.
Roughly 1,014 square miles
52.6% public land
Elevations from 4,100-10,300 feet
Most of the mountains and some of the foothills are public land managed by the state, the National Forest Service or the BLM. Most of the City of Rocks National Reserve is open to hunting. Castle Rocks State Park is also available for hunters. A lot of public land can be found in some valleys, but most lowlands are private and in hard-to-reach areas. Some good roads and a few ATV trails provide good access to foothills and mountains. Hunters usually have to hike from 1-2 miles to reach some parts of the unit. The main roads are Elba-Alamo Highway between Albion and Jim Sage ranges, Birch Creek Road southeast of Oakley, Idaho Highway 77 through Albion on the west side of the Cottrell Mountains and the East Hills, and in the southeast corner of the unit Standrod, Narrows and Strevell roads.
Carry a GPS with land ownership data
Hunters can use ATVs or dirt bikes on designated routes
Sawtooth National Forest publishes an online vehicle use map