At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Prepare for mosquitoes in August and September
- A GPS with landowner overlay is recommended
- No centerfire rifle seasons
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
Mule Deer | Dummy | Dummy |
Whitetail Deer | Dummy | Dummy |
Elk | Dummy | Dummy |
Hunters familiar with Idaho's Unit 63A highlight the challenges and opportunities of hunting in this region. Public land is limited between private properties and the Snake River, making it tough to find bucks, but hunters report seeing more opportunities for antlerless tags due to the abundance of does. While some big bucks can be spotted during the rut from mid-November to early December, they are often on private land, necessitating careful planning and potential collaboration with landowners for access. The terrain near the Snake River can be tricky, with concerns about water roughness, suggesting the importance of scouting and cautiously navigating this area for a successful hunt.
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
Mule Deer | Dummy | Dummy |
Whitetail Deer | Dummy | Dummy |
Elk | Dummy | Dummy |
Including the river bottoms and sloughs along the Snake River from the Ririe area to Roberts and down to Idaho Falls, this small unit is mostly managed for whitetail deer. Mule deer and elk are also hunted here.
Most whitetails are taken on private land, which comprises the majority of the unit.
Flat, heavily wooded river bottoms, sloughs and canals run through private agricultural land. The northwestern corner is sagebrush-covered high desert. Elevations range from roughly 4,500 feet to the top of the North Menan Butte at 5,619 feet.
Hunters need permission from landowners to hunt the vast majority of the unit. Exceptions include a strip of BLM land along the Snake River from Ririe to Roberts, some BLM acreage in the northwest corner and three public marshes — Deer Parks, Cartier Slough and Market Lake wildlife management areas. All are walk-in hunting areas that get heavy public pressure. Many roads branch off Highways 26, 20, 33 and 48. Travel is easy, and most roads are paved with the exception of primitive roads on BLM land, where hunters need ATVs or four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Waterways surrounded by tall cottonwood trees and thick willows run through private alfalfa, corn and grain fields. The northwestern corner is sagebrush-covered high desert with exposed lava rock. Public marshes have cattails and bulrushes.
Hotels and motels are in Idaho Falls, Rigby and Rexburg. RV camping is available at Jefferson County Lake Park in Rigby, Mountain River Ranch in Heise, Rainbow Lake in Rexburg and Thompson RV Park in Rexburg. Camping is allowed on most BLM land, but camp trailers and RVs are not recommended here.
Roughly 324 square miles
19.5% public land
Elevations from 4,500=5,600 feet
Get landowner permission well in advance of the season
Use of a boat may be beneficial for access and game retrieval
A GPS with landowner overlay is recommended