Blog · October 14, 2026 · Idaho
The Custer County Hunting Map: an Idaho guide
Owner lookups, public ground and permission tips for hunters around Lost River.
Main page: Custer County, ID GIS & Parcel Viewer (official map link, Custer County facts and neighboring maps).
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Hunters looking at Custer County hunting map usually want two things: where the public ground is, and who owns the private tracts next to it near Stanley. The Custer County, ID parcel map does that for free, with no login.
This guide goes from the Custer County parcel map to a polite permission request for ground near Clayton, with notes on public land and regulations.
How to use the Custer County hunting map
The Idaho statewide Parcels layer in ArcGIS Map Viewer is the free tool for Custer County hunting map scouting: imagery shows cover and water, parcel lines show who owns each block near Dickey. Write down the parcel ID, owner name and mailing address for each tract close to Challis, then rank them by cover, access and size.
Search Custer County parcels by owner, address or ID
There's no separate Custer County parcel site to hunt for; the Idaho statewide Parcels layer in ArcGIS Map Viewer carries the county's parcels along with the rest of Idaho. Most people find their Custer County tract fastest by searching an address in Stanley, then clicking the outline. For a backup route to the map covering Stanley, our Custer County directory entry keeps the link current.
Public and private ground in Custer County
Look for Challis National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest and Sawtooth National Recreation Area on the county map; the private parcels that border public land near Mackay get a lot of attention from hunters. For seasons, licenses, public hunting areas and any access programs that cover Custer County, check Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Asking a Custer County landowner for permission
Owners near Mackay get plenty of requests; a clear one listing the county parcel ID and an offer to help with chores stands out. Trespass rules vary by state, so check Idaho law before assuming unposted land near Mackay is open.
Keeping track of Custer County landowners
Look for travel corridors that cross several owners near Dickey; permission from two neighbors can make a small tract hunt bigger. Owners near Lost River change, so recheck the county record before each season's letters.
What Custer County owners want to hear
Tracts near Dickey that back up to timber or a creek are worth more letters than open ground in the county. A postseason note to the owner near Dickey, with what you saw on the county ground, is useful next year's request.
Work and land use in Custer County
In 2022 the Census Bureau tallied 193 establishments in Custer County; construction topped the list. Compared with national shares, Custer County leans toward accommodation (hotels, motels, RV parks and camps) and utilities, which shapes demand for land near Lost River.
Getting oriented in Custer County, ID
From Challis, the seat of the county, the map spreads out to Clayton, Lost River, Mackay, and Stanley. Unincorporated communities in the county, including Dickey, Ellis, and Goldburg, show up as small groups of parcels along the roads. Custer County had an estimated 4,523 people in 2023 (Census Bureau), spread across about 4,922 square miles. Beyond the town lots in Mackay, expect big rural parcels across the county.
In the field near Mackay
Phone GPS near Mackay can drift, especially under timber, so give the line a buffer when you set a stand.
Quick answers for Custer County
What should I say when asking to hunt land near Dickey?
Short works best near Dickey: your name, the county tract, the season and a promise to follow the rules.
How do I find who owns hunting land in Custer County?
Click the tract on the Idaho statewide Parcels layer in ArcGIS Map Viewer; the Custer County record lists the owner of record and a mailing address.
Is there public hunting land in Custer County?
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game publishes public-land maps covering Custer County; confirm boundaries before hunting near Mackay.
How do hunting leases work near Lost River?
Many owners near Lost River lease by the season; put the terms, boundaries and liability in a written agreement.
Will the Custer County map show which land near Mackay is open to hunt?
The parcel layer near Mackay shows ownership, not hunting access, so ask well before you go.
Can I hunt unposted land in Custer County without permission?
Trespass rules differ by state, so check Idaho law; asking the Custer County owner first avoids the question.
Open the official Custer County, ID parcel map Custer County in the Platbookmapper directory
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey, especially for fences, setbacks, or boundary disputes.