Unit 9, Idaho

Extremely steep and rugged mountainous terrain ranging from roughly 2,000 feet along the North Fork of the Clearwater River to approximately 6,900 feet at high points including Larkins Peak, Crag Peak, Goat Mountain, Papoose Mountain, and Badger Mountain. The southern reaches feature exposed rock and slides; northern sections are moderately steep with elevations generally below 6,000 feet. The North Fork and Little North Fork of the Clearwater River are the major drainages. No designated wilderness areas exist within Unit 9.

Unit 9 is managed almost entirely by the Clearwater National Forest (Nez Perce-Clearwater NF) and the St. Joe National Forest (Idaho Panhandle NFs), which together cover 78.68% of the unit; the State of Idaho manages another 9.18%, leaving only 12.14% in private ownership. There are no designated wilderness areas within the unit, so motorized vehicles are permitted on open roads. The unit boundary follows Forest Service Road 201 (Surveyors Ridge–Bathtub Springs Road) and FS Road 301 (Fishhook Creek Road), which also serve as primary access spines. The Goat Mountain–Getaway Point Road (FS Roads 457 and 220) provides additional interior access. Full-size vehicles can travel primary forest roads; secondary primitive roads are limited to ATVs or motorcycles, and some corridors are closed to all motorized use. Hunters requiring a motor-vehicle travel map should contact the St. Joe Ranger District Avery office (208-245-4517). Backcountry areas are accessible by horseback or foot. Mammoth Springs Campground is the principal developed camping base within the unit. No towns with lodging exist immediately adjacent to the unit interior.

The entire unit is 100% forested with no agricultural land. The northern half is dominated by old-growth and logged areas in various stages of conifer regrowth, creating abundant clearcuts and edge habitat preferred by white-tailed deer and elk. The southern half contains large, mature stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, grand fir, and western red cedar. Brush fields and logging regeneration provide dense browse throughout.

White-tailed deer are the predominant deer species throughout the unit, with density highest in the northern, moderately sloped, logged-over habitats; mule deer are present but at substantially lower densities, with the best habitat near higher-elevation southern ridges and slide areas around Larkins Peak and Crag Peak. Elk are present unit-wide but hunting is challenging due to heavy timber and the absence of open glassing terrain; mature bulls are present and concentrate near forest clearcuts and logging edges in early season. Rut activity for deer begins in late October and extends through November. Black bear are present throughout; a state-mandated online bear identification test (grizzly vs. black bear) must be passed before hunting black bear — grizzly bears may be encountered in Unit 9. Mountain lion and gray wolf have established populations. Moose occupy riparian and wetland habitats along river drainages and are available only through controlled hunt draw. Mountain goat are present on rocky high-elevation terrain and available only by controlled hunt draw.