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Idaho
Unit 43.
Planning guide for Game Management Unit 43, with sourced terrain, public-land percentages, published schedules, and links to the connected Pro map.
Boundary Map Locked
Pro includes the interactive GMU map, BLM surface-management context, terrain tools, and current wildfire overlays for Unit 43.
See Pro pricingTerrainSage Steppe/Mountain
OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable
Access DifficultySee IDFG
Key SpeciesBlack Bear
Season TypeGeneral & Controlled
ZoneSmoky - Bennett
Unit 43 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 43 (GMU 43) is a premier hunting destination located in the Smoky - Bennett Elk Zone. Home to Black Bear, Deer, Elk, 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 43 is not yet integrated into our database — verify acreage with Idaho Fish and Game's Hunt Planner before scouting.
2026 Regular Schedule
Official Regulation Feed
Species
Weapon
Tag
Dates
Deer
Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag
Any Weapon
Regular Deer Tag
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Deer
Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag
Any Weapon
Regular Deer Tag
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Deer
Archery • Regular Deer Tag
Archery
Regular Deer Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
White-tailed Deer
Any Weapon • White-tailed Deer Tag
Any Weapon
White-tailed Deer Tag
Oct 10 - Oct 31
White-tailed Deer
Archery • White-tailed Deer Tag
Archery
White-tailed Deer Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
Elk
Archery • A Tag
Archery
A Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
Black Bear
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
Aug 30 - Oct 31
Black Bear
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
Apr 15 - June 15
Mountain Lion
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
July 1 - June 30
Gray Wolf
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
Apr 1 - Nov 14
Gray Wolf
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
Nov 15 - Mar 31
Gray Wolf
Trapping • General
Trapping
General
Sep 10 - Nov 14
Gray Wolf
Trapping • General
Trapping
General
Nov 15 - Mar 31
Prepare for the Hunt
Success in Unit 43 requires understanding the sage steppe/mountain terrain and public land boundaries. Use Roam Idaho for connected trip planning, then carry an official offline map before leaving service.
- GMU Boundary Overlay
- BLM Surface-management Context
- Current Wildfire Overlay
- Slope, Road, and Wind Tools
Common Questions
Where is Unit 43?
Located in the Smoky - Bennett Zone with sage steppe/mountain terrain.
Is it public land?
Unit 43 is approximately 96.2% public. See full breakdown below.
Land Ownership
USFS94.51%
Private3.01%
BLM1.29%
Other0.23%
State0.21%
Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho
Unit 43 Boundary
Those portions of CAMAS and ELMORE COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at the confluence of the South Fork of the Boise River and Fall Creek (center of Anderson Ranch Reservoir), then up Fall creek to the bridge at Lake Creek Road (Forest Service Road 113), then northwest on Lake Creek Road, and then north on Fall Creek-Trinity Mountain Road (Forest Service Road 123), to Ice Springs, and then northwest on Fall CreekTrinity Mountain Road (Forest Service Road 128), to and then north northeast on Trinity Mountain/Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 129), to and then south on Trinity Ridge-Rocky Bar Road (Forest Service Road 156), to and then north on James Creek Road (Forest Service Road 126) to James Creek Summit, then east along the watershed divide between the Middle and South Forks of the Boise River to the intersection of the Camas, Blaine, and Elmore County lines, then southeast along the Camas-Blaine County line to, and then southwest o.gov Creek-South Fork of the Boise River watershed divide, then north, east, and south around the headwaters of the Big Wood River to Trail Creek Road, then southwest on Trail Creek Road to Ketchum, the point of beginning.
Smoky - Bennett Zone Context
South-Central Idaho — Smoky Mountains
Smoky-Bennett covers the country between Fairfield and the Sawtooths — a quieter, less-visited block of national forest. Elk densities are moderate but pressure is much lower than the adjoining Sawtooth zone.
Fairfield is the closest supply. Many of the high basins are accessible only by long forest roads.
See all units in the Smoky - Bennett ZonePlanning
Primary Region
Southwest Highlands
Nearest Supplies
Hunters typically basecamp or resupply in Boise, Mountain Home, Garden Valley.
Climate Outlook
Varied transition zone. Sagebrush foothills to pine-covered mountains.
Authorities
Always verify regulations with official government entities before heading into the backcountry.
Explore Smoky - Bennett Zone Units
Season dates and tag rules sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Original IDFG entry for Unit 43: view source.