Unit 69, Idaho

The unit covers approximately 925,320 acres (~1,446 square miles) with mostly rolling hills and mild terrain in the lower elevations transitioning to steeper ridges and drainages in the Blackfoot Mountains, where the tallest peak (Camp Peak) reaches approximately 7,733 feet. Elevations range from roughly 4,500 to 8,900 feet. The western slopes of the Blackfoot Mountains rise about 2,400 feet above the Snake River Plain while the eastern slopes above the Blackfoot River drainage are more gradual. Creeks and streams, including the Blackfoot River, are found throughout the unit.

Highway access enters the unit via US-26 on the north, US-91/I-15 on the west, and ID-34 on the southeast. Interior access is provided by Bone Road and Long Valley Road, which connect to a network of primitive two-track roads. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest administers forest lands in the Blackfoot Mountains area; the Blackfoot Reservoir and Blackfoot River corridor are accessible via ID-34 north of Soda Springs, with BLM-managed campgrounds along the river (Trail Creek Bridge, Morgan's Bridge, Graves Creek, Cutthroat Trout, and Sagehen Flats). The Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area (2,400 acres in Caribou County, established 1995) provides additional public access with four designated parking areas and county road access; vehicles must stay on public roads and parking areas. A significant portion of the unit is private land and the Fort Hall Indian Reservation (Shoshone-Bannock tribal lands) is closed to general public hunting and requires tribal permits. One Access Yes! program property is available east of Ririe Reservoir at the Meadow Creek Junction. The motorized hunting rule restricts all big game hunters to established roadways legally open to full-sized automobiles from August 30 through December 31. No designated federal wilderness areas are present in this unit. Nearest services in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and Soda Springs. Land ownership: 58.2% private, 19.1% Indian Reservation/BIA, 15.2% State of Idaho, 4.1% BLM, 1.6% USFS, 1.8% other federal.

Lower and mid-elevation areas are dominated by sagebrush-steppe with native grasses. Dryland and irrigated cropland covers a significant portion of the northern and western lowlands (dryland agriculture ~33%, irrigated land ~12%). Scattered aspen stands and shrubs occupy middle elevations and riparian corridors. The Blackfoot Mountains support patches of lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and Engelmann spruce at higher elevations. Riparian and wet meadow habitat lines the Blackfoot River drainage. Land cover is approximately 43% rangeland, 33% dryland agriculture, 12% forest, and 12% irrigated agriculture.

Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer are the primary big game species, with both resident herds and seasonal migrants moving in from the Caribou Range and adjacent units. White-tailed deer occur in the riparian corridors and agricultural edges. Black bear and mountain lion are present throughout. Gray wolf activity has been documented. Moose inhabit riparian and lodgepole pine habitats, particularly along the Blackfoot River drainage. Wild turkey, sage-grouse, ruffed and blue grouse, pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, chukar, and gray partridge are present. The Blackfoot River WMA supports waterfowl, shorebirds, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Pronghorn are not documented as a huntable species in this unit.

1. Public land percentage (23%) reflects GoHunt estimate; IDFG unit page shows 4.1% BLM + 1.6% USFS + 15.2% State = ~21% strict federal/state public, or ~23% rounding to GoHunt figure. 2. Elk A Tag harvest stats (23% success, 306 harvest, 1,348 hunters) are Unit 69 specific from IDFG Hunt Planner 2025 data. 3. Deer harvest total (403) and success rate (22%) are 2025 figures from IDFG Unit 69 Regular Deer Tag page; combined mule deer and white-tailed deer. 4. Deer controlled hunt 1054 draw odds: 2% resident first choice (9 permits of 599 applicants, 2025). 5. Elk controlled hunt 2255 (Jan-Feb, antlerless): 75-tag quota, private land within Bingham County portion of Unit 69 only, short-range weapons only (no rifles). 6. Fort Hall Indian Reservation land within the unit requires tribal permit. 7. Irrigated agriculture is ~12% of land cover, not 5% as previously stated.