Planning to hunt unit 20A this fall? Several normal access points are currently closed.
The Stoddard Pack Bridge was lost in a March rock slide. This bridge crossed the Salmon River at the northeast corner of unit 20A on the Salmon River Road. Identified for national emergency funding, the bridge will be replaced by the Salmon-Challis National Forest, but not for at least two years.
Several slides this spring damaged the Elk Creek Road (AKA Elk Summit Road) between Warren Summit and the South Fork Salmon River northeast of McCall. The road will be closed between Sawmill Point and the South Fork Salmon River most of September and October as the Valley County Road department conducts repairs. More details on this closure are available at: http://www.co.valley.id.us/departments/road-bridge/road-reports/
Chamberlain Basin airstrip is currently closed due to the Highline Fire. Hunters can stay up to date on this closure by checking the InciWeb fire information site at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5387/
You may be asking yourself just what access remains for unit 20A? Elk Creek Road remains accessible from Big Creek to the South Fork Salmon River. Hunters can also access Unit 20A by traveling forest roads from Dixie to either Mackay Bar or Whitewater Ranch, and then use foot bridges to cross the Salmon River. Be aware of land ownership, as there are private ranches in both areas.
If these access limitations prove to be overwhelming obstacles for some hunters, hunt tags may be exchanged for $3.75 at any Fish and Game office prior to the first day of the hunt.
- IDFG -