Idaho Power is working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to receive a new license for the Hells Canyon hydroelectric projects. Until a new license is granted (expected as early as 2022), we are offering pilot youth hunting programs.

The youth will need the necessary licenses and tags to hunt on the Lookout Mountain Unit during the approved seasons. Youth wanting access must apply for an access permit by the deadline of July 1 for archery elk and controlled archery deer (164R) and the early 264T antlerless elk seasons. Archery deer hunting in Eastern Oregon went to a limited entry program in 2021.  The youth must be successful in drawing the 164R controlled hunt tag for Lookout Mountain Archery Deer. The deadline for all other hunts is August 1. A drawing will be held, and selected applicants will be issued an access permit by Daly Creek Habitat Management Area (HMA) personnel. The access dates are listed below.

We will issue access youth access permits for the following hunts on Daly Creek:

Deer Hunts

Deer Hunt #1: Sept. 2 to Oct. 1

• Three access permits
• During the controlled bow (one buck with visible antler) archery season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 164R)

Deer Hunt #2: Oct. 7 to Oct. 18

• Three access permits
• During the controlled deer (one buck with visible antler) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 164)

Elk Hunts

Elk Hunt #1: Aug. 15 to Aug. 27 and Nov. 20 to Dec. 20

• Four access permits
• During the controlled elk (one antlerless elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264T)

Elk Hunt #2: Sept. 2 to Oct. 1

• Six access permits
• During the general elk (one elk) bow season

Elk Hunt #3: Nov. 1 to Nov. 5

• Three access permits
• During the controlled elk (one elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264X)

Elk Hunt #4: Nov. 11 to Nov. 19

• Three access permits
• During the controlled elk (one elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264Y)

Elk Hunt #5: Oct. 19 to Oct. 25 and Nov. 20 to Nov. 30

• Five access permits
• During the controlled elk (one antlerless elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264A1)

Elk Hunt #6: Dec. 1, 2023 to Dec. 20, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2024

• Eight access permits
• During the controlled elk (one antlerless elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264A2)
• May be subject to early access closure due to winter conditions.

Elk Hunt #7: Nov. 20 to Dec. 20

• Eight access permits
• During the controlled elk (one antlerless elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264T)

Elk Hunt #8: Dec. 21 to Dec. 31

• Three access permits
• During the controlled elk (one elk) rifle season in the Lookout Mountain Unit (Hunt No. 264A3)

Cougar Hunt

Youth with an access permit to hunt deer or elk may also hunt cougar during the period of the access permit if: 1) the ODFW cougar season is open during the time of their access permit and 2) the youth has a valid (unfilled) deer or elk tag.

Once a youth harvests a deer or elk, access for cougar hunting ends. Youth hunters must have a valid cougar tag and follow all ODFW regulations. The ODFW cougar season is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. The season may be closed before the end of the year, depending on the number of cougars harvested.

Bear Hunt

Youth with an access permit to hunt deer or elk may also hunt bear during the period of the permit if: 1) the ODFW bear season is open during the time of their access permit and 2) the youth has a valid (unfilled) deer or elk tag.

Once a youth harvests a deer or elk, access for bear hunting ends. Youth hunters must have a valid bear tag and follow all ODFW regulations. The ODFW fall bear season is Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.

Gamebird Hunting

Five youth-access permits will be available for gamebird hunting from Oct. 27 to 29, Nov. 22 to 26, and Jan. 1, 2024 to Jan. 14, 2024. The upland bird hunting youth access permit will also allow the accompanying adult to hunt gamebirds. If the youth is accompanied by two adults, only one specified adult may hunt (not both adults, alternately). Since the number of hunters will double with the adult hunter, the number of youth hunting/entry permits will be reduced from 10 to five, to accommodate this. There will be no net change in the number of gamebird hunting access permits.

Youth hunters must pay ODFW license fees. Idaho Power does not charge an application or hunting fee for this program.

A random drawing for all access permits will be held a few days after the application deadlines. All applicants are notified of the results a few days after the drawing.

Adults may accompany up to two youths. Accompany is defined as being close enough to be within normal conversation or hearing range. Each youth must be supervised at all times by at least one, and not more than two, licensed adults, 21 years of age or older when on the Daly Creek property. During the youth upland game bird hunt, one accompanying adult may hunt with the youth. If there are two accompanying adults, only one adult may hunt.

Access will be by foot or horseback only. Hunters should plan to quarter or debone meat from big game animals and haul it out with packs or pack stock.

Retrieval of big game by use of an ATV will be on a case-by-case basis. The decision will be based on site logistics, fire danger, nearness to administrative roads, potential spoilage issues and potential impacts to other youth hunting on the area. The on-site habitat biologist or designated representative makes the final determination.

Youth hunters must be 12–17 years of age and have completed a hunter education class by the time they hunt.

Yes. In addition to completing a hunter education class by the time they hunt, youth will need to have an Oregon hunting license and appropriate big game tag or bird stamp issued by the ODFW.

Selected youth hunters accompanied by their designated, supervising non-hunting adults are allowed on the property from dawn to dusk on the dates for which they have an access permit for deer, elk or upland bird hunting (as specified on the permit). Each youth hunter will receive an information packet containing the access permit, maps, parking permits and other information on Daly Creek access regulations. Overnight camping is not allowed.

All youth hunting groups must notify the Idaho Power habitat biologist at 541-785-7267 when they enter and exit the habitat management area (HMA).

Youth hunters and their accompanying adults may enter the property at any point. There is a No Trespassing (safety) zone around most buildings and facilities. Parking on surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and county roadways follows applicable BLM and county regulations. Parking on Daly Creek property must be at designated sites. These sites are shown on maps provided to successful applicants. Youth will be issued a vehicle parking permit—specific to each youth—to display on the windshields of vehicles in their party.

Hunting parties may contact the Idaho Power habitat biologist and Daly Creek manager at 541-785-7267 prior to the season with questions about hunting and access logistics.