Unit 42 42 (Owyhee)
Remote wilderness desert of deep Owyhee gorges, big muleys and canyon sheep
Southwest Idaho — Owyhee County (Owyhee River Wilderness canyonlands) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,341
sq mi
Public land
96%
approx.
Elevation
3,800–8,400
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 42 is the wildest, most remote block of the Owyhee Elk Zone — a high desert plateau of sagebrush and juniper between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, torn by the rugged, cliff-lined gorges of the Owyhee River and its forks against the Oregon and Nevada lines. It is over 90% BLM, nearly a third of it designated wilderness, and holds low-density but quality mule deer, capped-tag elk, and California bighorn in the river canyons. This is backcountry desert hunting that demands self-sufficiency.
Terrain
Mostly open, flat-to-rolling plains and hills between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, cut by deep, rough Owyhee River canyons walled in rhyolite, basalt and volcanic ash. High points include Juniper Mountain, Bald Mountain and Big Springs Butte.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass across most of the unit, with juniper and mountain mahogany in strips on ridges and canyon edges; dense juniper around Juniper Mountain and brushy canyon sides.
Landmarks: Owyhee River gorges · Juniper Mountain · Bald Mountain · Big Springs Butte · Owyhee River Wilderness · Pole Creek Wilderness · Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway
Access
Overwhelmingly public — about 92% BLM plus state ground and only ~4% private. Two large wilderness areas are non-motorized: the Owyhee River Wilderness (259,774 acres, ~30% of the unit) and Pole Creek Wilderness (~13,400 acres). Motorized travel follows dirt roads and ATV trails branching off the Owyhee Uplands Byway and Mud Flat Road.
Managers: BLM, IDL (State of Idaho endowment)
Access points: Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway · Mud Flat Road · Poison Creek–Mud Flat Road · Juniper Mountain Road · Grand View / Jordan Valley approaches
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityWild-country desert mule deer at low density but with real trophy potential in this lightly hunted, remote unit. Success runs low, so it rewards patient glassing and deep access.
- →Glass canyon rims, juniper stringers and mahogany ridges at first and last light
- →Hunt the rough breaks around Juniper Mountain and the river gorges
- →Get away from roads — the best bucks use the remote canyon edges
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited qualityCapped Owyhee Elk Zone tag with a small but real elk population using the roughest juniper and canyon country. Very limited permits keep pressure low and bulls maturing.
- →Focus on the juniper-timbered Juniper Mountain area and canyon breaks
- →Glass long distances across open plateau to feed and cover
- →Be ready to hunt deep into wilderness on foot for undisturbed elk
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyCalifornia bighorn live in the rugged terrain along the South Fork Owyhee and Owyhee Rivers and their tributaries. A coveted once-in-a-lifetime controlled tag with strong trophy quality.
- →Glass the rhyolite and basalt rimrock along the river gorges
- →Scout the canyon systems heavily before the season
- →Plan for remote, technical access and steep, dangerous terrain
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a backcountry expedition — fuel, water and recovery gear must be carried in
- →Nearly a third of the unit is non-motorized wilderness; plan foot access into the Owyhee River Wilderness
- →The best muleys hold in the remote canyon and juniper country away from roads
- →Watch the sky — wet clay two-tracks can trap a truck for days
- →Pre-scout water sources; the plateau is bone-dry early season
Watch out for
- !Owyhee River Wilderness (~30%) and Pole Creek Wilderness are non-motorized
- !Extremely remote — self-rescue capability is mandatory, no cell service
- !Deep, cliff-walled Owyhee River gorges — sheer, fatal drop-offs
- !Impassable clay roads when wet
- !No fuel, water or services anywhere inside the unit
Logistics
There are effectively no services inside the unit. Grand View or Bruneau (to the north) and Jordan Valley, Oregon (to the west) are the nearest fuel and supply points, all well over an hour from the interior. Cell coverage is absent. Come fully self-sufficient with extra fuel, water, food, tires and recovery gear.
Nearest towns: Grand View, Bruneau, Jordan Valley, OR, Riddle, Murphy
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Idaho sources:
Research sources: IDFG Hunt Planner — Unit 42 description · BLM Owyhee River Wilderness / Owyhee Field Office
FAQ
- How big is Unit 42 in Idaho?
- Unit 42 (42 (Owyhee)) covers about 1,341 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,800 to 8,400 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 42?
- Approximately 96% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, IDL (State of Idaho endowment). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 42?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Idaho agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 42 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.