Deer Hunting in Idaho Unit 63 (Controlled Hunt Oppty.): Snake River Zone

The Snake River DAU has GMUs in both eastern and western Idaho, but these GMUs share common characteristics. Land ownership is a mix of federal, state, tribal, and private and includes Craters of the Moon National Monument in GMU 68 and Idaho National Laboratory in GMU 63. Unit 38 includes the Treasure Valley, the largest urban area in Idaho. Mule deer in this DAU are generally year-round residents and densities are low.

Habitats are characterized by low elevations and limited precipitation, with deer tending to favor river corridors and irrigated agriculture. Deer depredation in agricultural areas has been a management priority. Mule deer hunting opportunity is liberal. Mule deer populations are currently monitored and managed with harvest metrics and measures of conflicts with agriculture.

No additional data collection in this DAU is anticipated over the life of this Plan.. This DAU (GMUs 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47,52, 52A, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 63, 66, 66A, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78) represents a wide spectrum of productivity from dry rangeland to irrigated agriculture. High-productivity areas include major riparian areas such as Snake River drainage, irrigated agricultural areas, and high-elevation forests. Predominant vegetation types in this DAU include dry shrub, cool shrub, and agricultural.

Approximately 7% of the DAU is comprised of riparian woodland, riparian shrub, and cold forest vegetation types. Current vegetation communities are a result of agricultural practices, fire suppression, and urban development. Riparian areas shrank and became fragmented due to development and grazing practices. Frequency of landscape-level fires has increased throughout this DAU and influenced vegetation communities towards noxious annuals.

Approximately 58% of land in this DAU is publicly owned. The BLM administers the majority of public lands, whereas USFS and IDL administer nearly equal amounts of remaining public land. Other significant non-private ownership consists of Department of Energy land (primarily Idaho National Laboratory) and Bureau of Indian Affairs land, primarily Fort Hall and Duck Valley reservations. Approximately 34% of the DAU is comprised of private land.

Rangeland is the predominant land use, comprising approximately 59% of the DAU. Other significant land uses include dryland agriculture, irrigated agriculture, and forest lands. White-tailed deer distribution has slowly increased over the past several decades in this DAU. Movement along riparian corridors expanded white-tailed deer distribution and population numbers have increased in some areas.

White-tailed deer populations have potential to increase with improved irrigation technology and conversion to agricultural commodities. White-tailed deer remain uncommon and are secondary to mule deer with regard to hunter preference.

HuntScore Tip

The quality of your hunt depends on you. Preseason scouting, preparation for the environmental conditions, and physical conditioning are important factors. The success and quality of your hunt will likely increase with the distance from your vehicle and roads.