Unit 26 26 (Middle Fork)
Big Creek backcountry — sheep, bears, and hard-won mule deer deep in the Frank
Central Idaho — Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness (Valley/Idaho County) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
598
sq mi
Public land
97%
approx.
Elevation
3,000–9,500
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
Unit 26 straddles the Big Creek drainage on the northwest flank of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, feeding into the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It is a nearly roadless, physically demanding unit where success is earned by horse, boat, or a very long boots-on hike. The prize species are Middle Fork bighorn sheep and abundant black bears; mule deer and elk are present but hunted on general-season pressure across brutal terrain.
Terrain
Deep river breaks and canyons cut by Big Creek and its tributaries, climbing to timbered ridges and open high basins. Relief is extreme — thousands of vertical feet from creek bottom to ridgeline.
Cover: Bunchgrass and bitterbrush on hot south canyon faces, ponderosa and Douglas-fir on mid-slopes, lodgepole and subalpine fir up high, with brushy old burns throughout.
Landmarks: Big Creek · Middle Fork of the Salmon River · Monumental Creek · Big Creek airstrip / Taylor Ranch · Bighorn Crags (nearby)
Access
Overwhelmingly designated Wilderness — no motorized or mechanized travel inside the Frank Church. Access is by foot, stock, backcountry airstrip, or float trip. A few primitive roads reach trailheads near the wilderness boundary (e.g., toward Big Creek), but the unit interior is walk/pack-in only.
Managers: USFS Payette NF, USFS Salmon-Challis NF, USFS Nez Perce-Clearwater NF
Access points: Big Creek trailhead / airstrip area · Middle Fork corridor (float access) · Monumental Summit approaches from Yellow Pine side
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyMiddle Fork of the Salmon rams are a marquee draw. A very limited, hard-to-draw controlled tag with strong success for those who put in the country and time.
- →Glass the open bunchgrass benches and rock rims above Big Creek and the Middle Fork breaks at first and last light
- →Focus canyon rims and rocky escape terrain; rams hold high and use cliffs
- →Plan a multi-day pack or float-based hunt — these are not day-trip sheep
Black Bear
abundant qualityStrong black bear numbers with color-phase potential. Spring green-up and fall berry/burn feeds concentrate bears on south faces and old fire scars.
- →Glass avalanche chutes, burns, and south-facing green slopes spring mornings and evenings
- →Hunt berry fields and huckleberry benches in early fall
- →Cover country by glassing across canyons — spot-and-stalk beats sitting here
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer occupy the high basins and timbered ridges in early fall and slide to canyon breaks as weather pushes them. General-season opportunity in demanding terrain keeps pressure low.
- →Hunt high subalpine basins early, then follow deer down to bitterbrush breaks with the first storms
- →Glass long across drainages — mature bucks favor broken, brushy pockets near escape cover
- →Be prepared to pack meat miles; a downed buck deep in the Frank is a serious recovery
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityBackcountry elk scattered through old burns and timber pockets. Low reported success reflects general-season pressure and wilderness difficulty, not absence of elk.
- →Locate bugling bulls in dark timber and burn edges during the September rut
- →Work water and wallows in the heads of side drainages
- →Still-hunt regenerating burns where forage and cover meet
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a fly-in or float-in hunt — the interior is genuinely wilderness with no motor access
- →Build meat recovery into your plan before you shoot; stock or air support pays for itself
- →Sheep hunters should scout with optics for days before committing to a stalk in the rims
- →Watch weather windows closely — backcountry strips and passes close fast with early storms
Watch out for
- !Designated Wilderness: no motorized or mechanized (including e-bikes and game carts) travel
- !Extreme vertical relief and remote canyons — injuries and pack-outs are serious
- !Old burns mean deadfall, unstable snags, and tough footing
- !Wildfire and smoke can close areas and strand airstrips in late summer/early fall
Logistics
This is an expedition unit. Most successful hunters fly into a backcountry strip (Big Creek, Taylor Ranch), book stock support, or float the Middle Fork. Self-guided foot hunters face long, steep approaches with heavy packs. Arrange logistics and meat/hide-out plans well in advance; there is no quick road bailout.
Nearest towns: Yellow Pine, McCall, Cascade, Salmon (via air/float)
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Idaho sources:
Research sources: Idaho Department of Fish and Game — Big Game Hunt Planner · USFS — Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness · USFS Payette National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit 26 in Idaho?
- Unit 26 (26 (Middle Fork)) covers about 598 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 26?
- Approximately 97% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Payette NF, USFS Salmon-Challis NF, USFS Nez Perce-Clearwater NF. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 26?
- Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Idaho agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
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