Quick Tips
- Chukars and Hungarian partridge are common
- Sturgeon, steelhead and salmon fishing in the Snake River
- Book a float trip on the Snake River
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 100"-110" | 120"+ |
| Elk | 280"-310" | 320"+ |
On The Ground
Bordering Washington and the Snake River in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, this unit is mostly open, grassy ridges and canyon lands with many stringers of Douglas firs and ponderosa pines and some large timbered areas. Elk, mule deer and whitetail deer provide hunting opportunities.
This unit produces some good bulls and a few great mule deer for hunters willing to pack them out of deep canyons. Whitetails live in brushy areas, mostly at low elevations. A Nature Conservancy preserve acts as a refuge to many bull elk.
Terrain
Rough, eroded mountains and river breaks comprise most of the eastern and northern parts of the unit. The Snake River runs along the eastern border and flows past bluffs, steep hills and canyons and some rolling hills. The southern half of the unit, especially the western two-thirds, is mostly flat to rolling high desert.
Roughly 658 square miles
49% public land
Elevations from 1,000-5,300 feet
Vegetation
Much of this unit consists of open, grassy ridges, flats and canyons with scattered bunches of brush and trees. Various species of bunchgrass cover most of the unit, including Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass. Common shrubs include hackberry, bitterbrush, ceanothus and sagebrush. Lowlands and wetlands have shrubs, willows, cottonwoods and other riparian plans. Wildflowers are common, including yarrow, Indian paintbrush, buttercup and camas. A large part of the northern half of the unit has timber on most northern and eastern slopes. Timber consists mainly of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.
Access
The northern half of this unit is mostly public land in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Forest Service offers road use and other maps, including some that can be downloaded to mobile phones. Much of the National Forest is inside the Chesnimnus Travel Management Area. Motor vehicles are allowed only on designated roads, leaving some good isolated areas. The state publishes an online road use map. The Nez Perce Tribe controls a big piece of the northern end of the unit. The southern half of the unit is mostly private property. Many trails follow old logging roads in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, operated by the Nature Conservancy, allows cow elk hunting on a limited basis.
Camping and Lodging
Many campgrounds are in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Forest Service also maintains campgrounds in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Lodging options include Wallowa Lake Lodge on Wallowa Lake near Joseph and rental cabins at Flying Arrow Resort on the Wallowa River six miles from Joseph. Other places to stay include Imnaha River Inn at Imnaha and Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast (541-432-0230) at Joseph.
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