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Idaho
Unit 18.
Strategic hunting guide for Game Management Unit 18. Real-time fire updates, public land boundaries, and confirmed season dates.
Boundary Map Locked
Join Roam Idaho to view the 3D boundary map, private land ownership, and live wildfire layers for Unit 18.
Unlock Field MapsTerrainRugged Mountains
OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable
Access DifficultySee IDFG
Key SpeciesBlack Bear
Season TypeGeneral & Controlled
ZoneHells Canyon
Unit 18 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 18 (GMU 18) is a premier hunting destination located in the Hells Canyon Elk Zone. Home to Black Bear, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, White-tailed Deer, this unit features high-elevation rugged terrain, requiring physical preparation and optics for cross-canyon spotting. Public-land breakdown for Unit 18 is not yet integrated into our database — verify acreage with Idaho Fish and Game's Hunt Planner before scouting.
2025 Regular Schedule
Official Regulation Feed
Species
Weapon
Tag
Dates
Restricted
Any Weapon
Regular Tag
Oct 10 - Closed
Restricted
Any Weapon
Regular Tag
Oct 10 - Closed
Restricted
Any Weapon
Regular Tag
Oct 10 - Closed
Restricted
Any Weapon
Regular Tag
Oct 10 - Closed
Restricted
Any Weapon
Regular Tag
Oct 10 - Closed
There are 9 confirmed seasons in Unit 18.
View Full SchedulePrepare for the Hunt
Success in Unit 18 requires understanding the rugged mountains terrain and public land boundaries. Roam Idaho Members get access to offline maps, allowing you to navigate confidently without cell service.
- Offline Boundary Maps
- Real-time Fire Closures
- Private Land Ownership
- Access Point Coordinates
Common Questions
Where is Unit 18?
Located in the Hells Canyon Zone with rugged mountains terrain.
Is it public land?
Unit 18 is approximately 79.6% public. See full breakdown below.
Land Ownership
USFS75.98%
Private20.05%
BLM1.99%
State1.15%
Other0.52%
Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho
Unit 18 Boundary
Those portions of IDAHO and ADAMS COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at Riggins, up the Little Salmon River to Rapid River, then up Rapid River to and including the Shingle Creek drainage to the Snake River divide, then south along the divide to Purgatory Saddle at the head of Granite Creek, then down Granite Creek to the Snake River, then downstream to Pittsburg Landing, then east on Pittsburg Landing-White Bird Road to the Salmon River, then upstream to the point of beginning.
Hells Canyon Zone Context
West-Central Idaho — Snake River Border
Hells Canyon spans Idaho's western edge along the Snake River, with the deepest river gorge in North America cutting through the zone. Elk hunting is technical: steep rim-to-river drainages, summer-like heat in early seasons, and water access that changes the strategy entirely.
Riggins is the gateway. Boat access from the Snake or Hells Canyon Reservoir opens drainages otherwise inaccessible. Plan for extreme elevation gain on day hunts.
See all units in the Hells Canyon ZonePlanning
Primary Region
Clearwater & Nez Perce
Nearest Supplies
Hunters typically basecamp or resupply in Lewiston, Orofino, Grangeville.
Climate Outlook
Steep, rugged canyons and dense forests. River valleys are mild, high country is severe.
Authorities
Always verify regulations with official government entities before heading into the backcountry.
Explore Hells Canyon Zone Units
Season dates and tag rules sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Original IDFG entry for Unit 18: view source.