Unit 47, Idaho

Elevation ranges from approximately 4,900 to 7,400 feet. The landscape is characterized by wide sagebrush-covered plateaus, rolling foothills, and deeply incised canyons carved by the Jarbidge and Bruneau River systems. The northern portion of the unit is relatively flat desert with some rolling foothills, while the southern reaches near the Nevada border transition into more rugged canyon country with vertical cliffs, spire-like hoodoos, and volcanic formations. The unit covers approximately 221,102 acres.

The primary entry highway is U.S. Highway 93, which forms the eastern boundary of the unit at Rogerson. The Rogerson-Three Creek-Jarbidge Road departs south from U.S. 93 at Rogerson and forms the western and southern unit boundary. No National Forest lands exist within Unit 47. All public land is managed by the BLM Jarbidge Field Office. BLM lands comprise 69.2% of the unit (approximately 153,011 acres); State of Idaho lands add 5% (approximately 11,047 acres); private lands account for 25.8% (approximately 57,014 acres). No designated wilderness areas are present within Unit 47 boundaries. The Motorized Hunting Rule is in effect for big game hunters August 30 through December 31, restricting motorized vehicle use to established roadways legally open to full-sized automobiles. No fuel stops exist within the unit; Twin Falls is the nearest services hub.

Dominant cover type is open rangeland (92% of the unit). Sagebrush (mountain sagebrush and big sagebrush), greasewood, rabbitbrush, western juniper, and native bunchgrasses characterize the uplands. Riparian corridors along creek drainages support willows, cottonwoods, and other deciduous shrubs and account for roughly 4.35% of the unit. Irrigated agriculture occupies approximately 2.5% of the unit near private land concentrations.

Mule deer are the primary deer species; white-tailed deer have a minor presence. Elk occur throughout the unit and within the South Hills Elk Zone (Units 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57); field staff have noted declining elk numbers in recent years. Pronghorn occupy the open sagebrush flats and are well represented. California bighorn sheep occupy the Bruneau and Jarbidge River canyon drainages within the unit, covered by hunt area 46-1. Mountain lion and gray wolf are present and huntable. Sage-grouse, chukar, quail, and pheasant use the sagebrush and riparian habitats. Raptors including golden eagles and hawks nest along canyon cliffs. Elk generally summer at higher elevations and concentrate near water and forage in dry fall conditions.