Property Description

Deer Creek Mountain Ranch supports a beautiful Cottonwood lined valley that is held between the towering ridge tops, enhancing the secluded feel of the property.  Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail-Deer, and Antelope frequent the property to utilize the water and forage. Over-The-Counter tags for various Big-Game species and seasons provide many hunting opportunities.  The nearby Salmon River offers world-class fishing, and additional recreational opportunities include White-water rafting, hiking, horseback riding, and skiing.  The property is located in a prime position as there are thousands of acres of public land, which is difficult to access outside of the property.  

The property is excellent as a rifle hunting property as the tall ridges on either side of the creek-fed valley offer great vantage points from which to spot game.  The open country along the side hills offers enough open terrain for unobstructed shots but enough topography and cover to move into position.  Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, and Antelope will move onto the property for abundant feed and water, and because of the hunting pressure on nearby public land. Over-The-Counter tags are available for Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Antelope, Black Bear, and Mountain Lion. Chukar hunting is also a great way to spend a day on the property. 

Cottonwoods line the creek running North to South through the center of the property and its irrigated meadows. The foliage is an excellent mix of Cottonwoods, Willows, Sagebrush, and grasses that climb to the property boundaries high up the hills and draws. Traveling from the Salmon River up Deer Creek Mountain Road provides impressive views of deep forest pockets, black cliffs, and open red rock cliffs and ridges. Surrounding BLM land has leases that could be pursued by new owners.

The property is currently fenced for cattle, and a water control system helps with flood-irrigation to grow plenty of forage for cattle and wildlife.  From the valley floor to the tall ridges, the ranch offers magnificent ranch views of the 8600’-9300’ Twin Peaks Mountain. Salmon, Idaho, is 20 miles to the North and offers a smaller county airport; and the larger Missoula Montana Airport, with daily direct domestic flights, is roughly 120 miles away.

• Hunting for Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear and Mountain Lion
• World-Class fishing in the nearby Salmon River
• Deer Creek runs through the valley of the property
• Cattle grazing opportunities
• Direct access to BLM land

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

HUNTING

Unit 28

BIGHORN SHEEP:

• Controlled Hunts #5012 Area 28-1 & #5013 Area 28-2 are only applied for through the IDGF draw system

Elk: 

Move on and off the property year-round. Limited OTC tags are available.

• Any Weapon: Oct 15 - Nov 8, 2024
• Archery Only: Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2024

Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer:

Move on and off the property. OTC tags (Non-Resident Limited / Resident Unlimited) are available.

• General Any Weapon Season (Mule Deer or Whitetail):  Oct 10 – Oct 24, 2024

  • Youth Hunt Only (Private Land Only): Oct 10 - Oct 31, 2024

• General Archery Only Season (Mule Deer or Whitetail Deer): Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2024
• Controlled Hunt (Mule Deer or Whitetail Deer): Oct 10 - Nov 30, 2024
• Whitetail Deer General Any Weapon Season: Oct 10 - Oct 31, 2024

  • Youth Hunt Only: Oct 10 - Oct 31, 2024

• Whitetail General Archery Only: Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2024
• Whitetail Deer Shortrange Weapon: Nov 1- Dec 9, 2024 (Antlerless) / Nov 1- Dec 31, 2024 (Antlered)

Pronghorn: 

• Archery (Controlled Hunt- Unlimited tags:  Aug 15 - Sep 15, 2024
• Controlled Hunt (Either Sex): Aug 15 - Sept 15 / Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2024

Black Bear: 

• 2 tags per hunter for any weapon in Unit 28.
• Fall:  Aug 30 - Nov 30, 2024
• Spring:  April 1 - June 30, 2025

Mountain Lion:

• Unlimited Tags any weapon.
• Aug 30 - June 30, 2024                                 

Leftover and returned tags for the various species are sold at specific times in the year. Please refer to the Idaho Fish and Game Website & Calendar to verify dates and available licenses/tags.

FISHING

• Crossing the Salmon River via bridge to get to the property provides incredible sights and sounds from the river itself. The river provides high-quality sport fishing for resident populations of Cutthroat and rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Whitefish.
• Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Upper Salmon Falls Reservoir, and Oneida Narrows Reservoir offer different fishing and recreational opportunities.
• [Please view Idaho’s Trespass Law on the Idaho Fish & Game website (idfg.idaho.gov) and download the Permission Form.]

RECREATION

• Whitewater Rafting, float trips, Hot-springs, Sacajawea Interpretive Cultural and Art Center.  
• Lewis and Clark backcountry by-way, Meriwether Lewis’s Campsite, or the Salmon Valley Handmade Market.
• Guided wilderness tours, rockhounding, and many other opportunities await you here.
• Skiing can be found in Challis, McCall, or forty-five miles north of Salmon, Idaho.
• Salmon, Idaho has an outdoor ice rink for skating and hockey.
• Lemhi County has hundreds of miles of groomed and ungroomed trails. Great for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, camping, and/or building a snowman.  

LAND

• Creek bottom valley and ridgetops
• Cottonwoods, Willows, Sagebrush, and native grasses
• Scenic rock out-cropping and bluffs
• Views of surrounding mountain ranges

WATER

• Deer Creek runs through the center of the property from North to South.
• Enhanced flood irrigation provides grassy meadows for the cattle and wildlife.
• Metal floodgate canals provide flood irrigation to grassy meadows for cattle and wildlife feed. 

BOUNDARY

• The property is surrounded by BLM land.

ACCESS

• The property is accessed by gated dirt road over a recorded easement and right of way.  Depending on the mode of transportation, year-round travel is possible.

INCOME

• The property owner currently uses it for cattle grazing. There are no current leases.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

• There are no current easements on the property.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Barbed wire fencing is on the property boundary, with gates providing access at road entrances.
• Irrigation gates have been upgraded to flood irrigation system.
• The property is reached via a somewhat rocky dirt road. It is best traveled by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, UTV, ATV, horse, or foot. An ATV trail is used for fenced mending. 

LOCATION

• Salmon, Idaho (20 miles)—The nearest city has all the necessary amenities and is the county seat of Lemhi County.
• Elk Bend, Idaho (10 miles)—This town has an RV Park, Camping, and some food opportunities. It is famous for its diverse wildlife viewing (Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Elk, Deer) and the beautiful drive along the Salmon River. 
• Challis, Idaho (40 miles)—The Largest City in Custer County, Idaho, is also the County Seat. It provides a Trailhead and plane access to the Frank Church Wilderness Area. Mining Camps turned into Ghost Towns are part of Challis’s heritage. It is now the economic center for Recreation, Ranching, and Mining.  
• Lemhi County Airport is a general aviation airport located 4 miles south of Salmon, Idaho.
• Bert Mooney Airport (BTM – 87 miles)- Butte, MT, Direct flights from Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Missoula Montana Airport (MSO – 121 miles)- Direct daily flights from various airlines.