Unit 10A-5

Gold Butte and Jericho Mountain provide elevation reference points on the ridge systems. Sourdough Ridge, Elk Ridge, and Anderson Ridge mark major terrain features that orient travel. The Elk River drainage is the primary travel corridor, with Elk Creek Reservoir offering a major landmark and potential water source.

Spud Creek, Pick and Pan Creek, and the Robinson Creek system (North and Middle Forks) provide navigation guides through the timbered valleys. These creeks run perpendicular to ridge lines and help orient travel from high country down to valley floors.

Elevations span from around 1,500 feet in the major river valleys up to nearly 4,700 feet on the ridge systems, creating distinct habitat zones. Lower valleys support riparian timber and open bottoms along the Salmon and Elk Rivers, while mid-elevation slopes are densely forested with mixed conifers typical of the Clearwater region. Ridge tops and higher benches thin somewhat but remain heavily timbered.

The forest dominance across all elevations means limited open glassing country; hunters work through timber rather than scanning from distance.

Approximately 70 miles of Forest Service roads provide fair access without creating heavily developed corridors. Forest Service Road 313 (old wagon road), FSR 444, FSR 221, FSR 382, and FSR 301 form the main access network. Highway 13 and U.S. 95 enable staging from Grangeville and Cottonwood.

The moderate road density and rolling terrain mean hunters can reach much of the unit but aren't confined to obvious corridors. Pressure is likely scattered rather than concentrated, favoring those willing to hike away from main roads into the denser timber.

The unit occupies the central Clearwater drainage between Shoshone and Idaho counties, bounded by the divide between the North Fork and South Fork Clearwater Rivers to the east, Dworshak Reservoir along the southern edge, and Highway 13 to the northwest near Grangeville. Cottonwood marks the western boundary along U.S. 95. The Salmon River forms the southern extent with Elk River and its creek system running through the unit's core. This moderate-sized area sits in the transition zone between lower valley country and the higher Clearwater National Forest terrain.

Water is limited relative to the unit's size but follows predictable patterns. The Elk River is reliable and forms the main drainage highway through the unit's center. Elk Creek Reservoir provides a substantial water source.

Scattered springs and creeks including Spud Creek, Baldy Bear Creek, Bark Camp Creek, and Garden Creek drain the ridges but are seasonal in reliability. The Salmon River and North/South Fork Clearwater define the broader watershed, though they're primarily boundary features. Moose hunters should focus on riparian areas and reliable perennial flows rather than expecting water abundance.

Moose are the focus here, and they utilize the riparian areas and timbered valleys throughout the unit. Early season offers the best access before high water, with moose concentrated in willow corridors along the Elk River and creek bottoms. The dense forest limits glassing to close-range work; plan for hiking and calling strategies rather than spotting from distance.

Water is the key—hunt near reliable springs and creek systems. Elevation changes are gradual enough that September hunting doesn't require extreme altitude adjustment. This is a drainage-based hunt requiring patience in thick timber rather than a ridgeline glassing game.