Unit 67, Idaho

The unit covers approximately 263,891 acres (~412 square miles) of steep, rugged mountain terrain carved by deep canyons and ridges of the Snake River Range. Elevations range from roughly 5,000 feet along the South Fork of the Snake River and Palisades Reservoir shoreline to 10,025 feet at the crest of the Snake River Range (Mount Baird). The northern half of the unit, north and west of State Highway 31, is somewhat more accessible by road; the southern half, south and east of Highway 31, is remote backcountry accessible only by horse or foot. High-elevation terrain features glacially sculpted ridges, rocky peaks, steep chutes, and wide basins suited to glassing.

The unit falls within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Palisades Ranger District (3659 East Ririe Highway, Idaho Falls; 208-523-1412). No designated wilderness areas exist within Unit 67. The primary highway corridor is U.S. 26 along Palisades Reservoir, with access also from State Highways 31 and 33. North-end road access: U.S. 26, Pine Creek Bench Road, and Forest Road 206 from Heise Hot Springs near the South Fork Snake River. South-end road access: Hwys 31, 33, and 26, plus Rainey Creek Road and Forest Service Roads 281, 268, 260, 255, and 257. Motorized vehicle use is prohibited south of State Highway 31; those drainages require horses or backpacking. A short-range-weapons-only restriction applies to that portion of the unit south and west of State Highway 26. Forest Service campgrounds in or near the unit include Big Elk, Mike Harris, Palisades Creek, and Pine Creek campgrounds. Palisades Reservoir provides multiple campgrounds and boat ramps along its shoreline. Grizzly bears are documented throughout the unit; hunters should be aware and prepared.

Lower-elevation riparian and agricultural corridors near the South Fork of the Snake River and Palisades Reservoir host sagebrush-steppe, grain and alfalfa fields, and scattered juniper woodlands. Mid-slope and canyon habitats are dominated by lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and aspen groves, providing the dense conifer cover that characterizes most of the unit. Above approximately 8,000 feet, vegetation transitions to open grasslands, wildflowers, and occasional subalpine pines, with rocky peaks and scree at the highest elevations. Land cover is predominantly forested (68.6%), with significant rangeland (10.5%), irrigated-sprinkler agriculture (6.9%), and smaller portions of dryland agriculture and riparian areas.

Elk (Palisades Zone herd, at or near management objectives per 2025 IDFG outlook) occupy mid-elevation conifer forests in summer and move to lower-elevation agricultural and riparian areas in winter. Mule deer are the primary deer species, with populations recovering from hard winters earlier in the decade; white-tailed deer also occupy lower-elevation riparian and agricultural edges and represent roughly 45% of total deer harvest. Black bears are widespread and relatively abundant. Mountain lions inhabit rocky canyon and timbered terrain. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are resident. Moose use riparian and willow-bottom habitats, particularly in the southern sub-unit (67-2). Grizzly bears (protected, not huntable) are documented in the unit as part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population. No bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or pronghorn hunts are authorized in Unit 67.