Idaho Elk Pronghorn Mountain Goat

Unit 36A-1 (Copper Basin)

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk, Pronghorn, Mountain Goat

Unit 36A spans the Pioneer Mountains and Copper Basin in south-central Idaho — alpine peaks, glacial basins, and aspen-conifer foothills draining into the Big Wood and Little Lost Rivers. The 36A-1 controlled elk hunt targets a healthy herd using the high summer country and transitional benches. Roughly 207 tags against 1,127 three-year applicants makes this a moderately achievable draw with excellent bull quality when hunters reach the high basins.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 36A-1

Where to Find Elk in Unit 36A-1

Terrain

Copper Basin is a glacial cirque surrounded by peaks over 11,000 ft. Elk summer in alpine basins at the heads of the East Fork Big Lost River and Wildhorse Creek, then drop to the aspen-conifer benches around Copper Basin Road (FR 135) and the Wildhorse drainage as fall progresses. The Antelope and Muldoon creek side also holds bulls.

Elevation

8,000-10,500 ft for summer range; 7,000-8,500 ft for the transition and bench country used during most of the controlled hunt season.

Water

East Fork Big Lost, Wildhorse Creek, Star Hope Creek, and Little Fall Creek run dependably. Alpine tarns in the cirques hold water through September.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 36A-1

This is glassing country. Set up on a ridge with 1,000+ ft of vertical relief and spend the first two hours of daylight scanning alpine basins and aspen fingers. Wildhorse Creek Road (FR 136) and Copper Basin Road (FR 135) provide access to multiple glassing points. Stalks in the alpine often cover 2-3 miles; plan accordingly. During the September rut, bulls bugle consistently from the bowls at the head of Star Hope Creek — close to within 300 yards and use cold calling rather than aggressive challenges. Late-season hunts should focus on south-facing aspen benches 7,500-8,500 ft as bulls strip velvet and group up.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 36A-1 rifle elk hunts have posted 25-40% success rates over recent seasons, with bull quality notably strong — 6-point bulls are routine and 340+ class bulls show up each year from the upper Wildhorse and Star Hope drainages. Archery hunts run closer to 15-20% success.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	54	318	17.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho controlled elk hunts use a pure random draw with no points. 36A-1 with 1,127 three-year applicants and 207 tags produces roughly 18-25% resident odds and mid single-digit nonresident odds. Tag numbers are relatively generous for the quality of hunt offered.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 36A-1

Unit 36A covers Copper Basin and the eastern Pioneer Mountains foothills in south-central Idaho. Pronghorn occupy the sagebrush benches and open parks between timbered ridges, shifting seasonally with forage and water. The 36A-1 pronghorn hunt is selective — 80 tags against 973 three-year applicants — and produces quality bucks on a herd managed conservatively under high-elevation conditions.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 36A-1

Terrain

Copper Basin is a high-elevation sagebrush park surrounded by 10,000+ ft Pioneer Mountain peaks. Pronghorn use the broad central basin between Wildhorse Creek and Star Hope Creek, plus the sage benches along East Fork Big Lost River. Key access: Copper Basin Road (FR 135) and Wildhorse Creek Road (FR 136).

Elevation

7,000-7,800 ft — among the highest pronghorn range in Idaho. Summer storms can push pronghorn to lower benches below 7,000 ft.

Water

East Fork Big Lost, Wildhorse Creek, and Star Hope Creek all run reliably. Alpine stock tanks and beaver ponds scattered across the basin.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 36A-1

The open basin is made for glassing — set up on any rising ground with a spotting scope and cover miles at a time. Mark pronghorn groups, then use the Wildhorse Creek or Star Hope Creek drainages as stalking cover. Pronghorn here are less wary than plains animals because pressure is limited, but wind in the high basin is constant and unpredictable. Plan stalks for morning when thermals are consistent upcanyon. Water ambushes at basin stock tanks can produce during early September. Archery decoy work during the rut is highly effective.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Unit 36A-1 rifle pronghorn hunts have averaged 75-90% success — tight tag numbers and a healthy basin herd produce excellent opportunity. Buck quality is solid, with 14+ inch bucks common and occasional 15-16 inch animals. Archery success 25-40%.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	29	404	7.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho controlled pronghorn hunts run on a pure random draw — no preference or bonus points. Unit 36A-1 with 973 three-year applicants against 80 tags sits in the low single digits for residents and very tight for nonresidents. Apply every year to maximize cumulative chances.

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 36A-1

Hunt 36A-1 is a controlled OIAL mountain goat hunt in Unit 36A in the Sawtooth-White Cloud country. We hunt alpine peaks and cliff bands above Stanley Basin. Tag numbers are tiny and the terrain is unforgiving.

Where to Find Mountain Goats in Hunt 36A-1

Alpine peaks and cliff bands.

Peak Ridgelines

Billies bed on high wind-swept ridges.

Cliff Shadows

Mid-day bedding cover.

Alpine Basin Licks

Dawn goat travel routes.

How to Hunt Mountain Goats in Hunt 36A-1

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Hunt 36A-1 typically runs 50-80% success. Weather and hunter conditioning are the biggest variables.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	1	17	5.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mountain goat is an Idaho OIAL species. Idaho runs a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Nonresidents compete inside the statewide 10% quota cap.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

Highway 75 to Ketchum and Highway 93 north toward Mackay handle trailers. Wildhorse Creek Road (FR 136) and Copper Basin Road (FR 135) are gravel and doable with a small trailer in dry weather.

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Water

Excellent in the high basins; reliable in named drainages. Plan water stops when hunting the dry ridges between creeks.

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Road Conditions

Paved to Mackay and Ketchum. FR 135 and FR 136 are maintained gravel and climb to 8,000+ ft. Spur roads require high-clearance and close with early snow by mid-October.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Alpine country with 3,000+ ft vertical from trailhead to glassing points. Scree, talus, and some scrambling in the high bowls.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Controlled hunt caps keep numbers reasonable; Copper Basin road corridor sees most pressure in the first few days.

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Weather

September 55-75 F highs, freezing overnight at elevation. October dramatically cooler — snow possible any time above 8,500 ft. High-basin blizzards can shut down access quickly.

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Cell Service

Strong in Ketchum and Mackay. Spotty along FR 135/136; none in the high basins. Satellite communicator recommended.

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Nearest Town

Mackay (fuel, small store, basic lodging) north side; Ketchum/Hailey (full services, airport, hospital) south side.

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Permit Notes

Mandatory IDFG harvest report within 10 days. Pioneer Mountains country is highly glaciated — carry navigation tools and learn the drainage system before hunt day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 36A-1 a trophy elk hunt?

It's one of the better trophy-quality controlled hunts in south-central Idaho. Hunters who can access the high alpine basins regularly encounter 6-point bulls, and the unit produces 340+ class bulls annually.

Do I need backpacking gear for Unit 36A-1?

Not strictly — vehicle access reaches 8,000 ft at the end of FR 136 and glassing points are day-hike-able from there. But hunters willing to backpack into the upper basins consistently find less-pressured elk and older bulls.

Is Copper Basin really pronghorn country?

Yes — it's one of the higher-elevation pronghorn populations in the Lower 48. The basin's broad sage park provides suitable habitat despite being surrounded by peaks over 10,000 ft.

When should I hunt 36A-1?

Early season rifle hunts (typically mid-September) catch pronghorn still in the basin before any early snowstorms push them to lower ground. Archery during the first week of September offers rut action with decoys.

Is 36A-1 OIAL?

Yes. All Idaho goat hunts are once-in-a-lifetime for the species.

Is Class 3 scrambling required?

Often yes. The productive country is steep and exposed — we train for it like a sheep hunt.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 36A season framework, 36A-1 hunt dates and weapon types · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 36A-1 applicant and tag history · accessed 2026-04-17
Sawtooth National Forest — Ketchum Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Pioneer Mountains and Copper Basin access, Motor vehicle use map · accessed 2026-04-17
Salmon-Challis National Forest — Lost River Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Little Lost River side of the Pioneer Mountains · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG — Mountain Goat Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: OIAL framework, Distribution · accessed 2026-04-17