Unit 62A, Idaho

Unit 62A covers approximately 155,777 acres on the Island Park volcanic plateau, shaped by ancient caldera geology. Elevation ranges from approximately 5,100 feet in the lower agricultural fringe near Ashton to around 7,500 feet on higher forested mesas and buttes. The unit's topography is characterized by forested mesas, buttes with steep edges, canyons, and creek drainages. The western half contains a denser road network while the eastern portion, between Fish Creek Road and the Yellowstone Park boundary, is largely roadless backcountry. Grizzly bears are documented throughout the unit due to proximity to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The unit is managed almost entirely by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Ashton/Island Park Ranger District (offices in Ashton at 208-652-7442 and Island Park at 208-558-7301). U.S. Highway 20 is the primary access corridor running north-south through the region toward Island Park. State Highway 47 forms part of the unit boundary and provides access from Ashton into the interior (Mesa Falls Scenic Byway). Key forest roads providing access to the western half include North Hatchery Butte Road, Pineview-Island Park Road, Baker Draw-Black Mountain Springs Road, and Fish Creek Road. The eastern portion of the unit — from Fish Creek Road east to Yellowstone National Park — is largely roadless; hunters accessing this area typically use ATV or foot travel. Four-wheel-drive vehicles with tire chains and GPS are recommended; hunters must avoid inadvertently crossing into Yellowstone where hunting is prohibited. The Harriman State Park Wildlife Refuge within the unit is closed to all hunting. No federally-designated wilderness areas exist within Unit 62A. Campgrounds at Warm River and Cave Falls (near the Yellowstone boundary) provide base-camp options; motels are available in Ashton, St. Anthony, and Tetonia.

Forests dominate approximately 90.71 percent of the unit, composed primarily of lodgepole pine with interspersed Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir. Old logging areas in the western half have regenerated into brush fields and young saplings that provide dense browse habitat. Riparian corridors (approximately 1.91% of cover) along the Henrys Fork and tributary drainages support willows, alders, and birch brush. Marshes and beaver ponds occur in lower meadow areas. Irrigated agricultural land (seed potatoes, barley, alfalfa) comprises approximately 4.6 percent of cover along the southwestern edge near Ashton. Rangeland comprises roughly 2.79 percent of cover.

Elk are the primary big game species, with the Island Park herd holding numbers above management objectives as of 2024-25 surveys, prompting expanded hunting opportunity. Rocky Mountain elk use forested mesas in summer and migrate to lower creek bottoms and agricultural edges around Ashton in late fall and winter. Mule deer are present with improving populations; the 2024-25 winter survey showed dramatic increases in abundance compared to the 2020 survey baseline. White-tailed deer make up approximately 14 percent of deer harvest in the unit and are concentrated in riparian and agricultural edge habitats. Moose inhabit forested mesas and buttes in summer near the Yellowstone border and move to steep ridges, creek bottoms, and river bottoms in winter; populations have declined from historical highs due to documented wolf and grizzly predation pressure. Black bears are present throughout the forested unit. Gray wolves are established and regularly detected. Mountain lions inhabit rocky mesa and canyon terrain. Grizzly bears range across the unit, particularly in the eastern roadless areas adjacent to Yellowstone; IDFG explicitly warns hunters to be prepared for grizzly encounters throughout this area. Wild turkey and forest grouse (blue and ruffed) are present in the forested landscape.