Questions for you experience rocky Mtn bighorn hunters

Couple questions for experience rocky Mtn bighorn hunters. I've hunted dall sheep but with a guide so I am prepared for the physical and mental aspects. I just drew my first rocky tag in Idaho. I can't access my unit to scout til mid July due to snow. I'm looking at getting a scouting plan together using topo and aerials. My fist question is there anything you guys look at on a topo or aerial that screams sheep live right here or more importantly sheep probably don't live here? I'd like to narrow my unit down so I can focus my scouting trips. I know they like to be near food, have good visuals, and be fairly close to escape terrain. Anything I should be trying to hone in on? I.e. Do they like the north or south facing slopes more? And second does anyone recommend a good book on hunting rockys? Thanks all!

If your area in Idaho got close to as much snow as Wyoming did that borders Idaho you might be closer to or into August.

I don't have a map in front of me but I believe you drew Salmon River, middle fork? I haven't hunted 27-3 but I have been in the Frank Church.
Contact the raft outfitters that offer commercial trips in there. In heavy snow years they have been known to pay for tractors to plow a road so they can get in there and start earning revenue rather than cancelling trips.
I don't know you and I mean you no disrespect but as for your statement that you are, "prepared for the mental aspects", reassess. Your area is timber and brush top to bottom and you most likely will not have sheep sightings to keep you going like you might have had while dall hunting. A lot of hunters come out of that country without harvesting a ram, not because they didn't see the ram they wanted, but because they didn't see a ram...period. Yes, you are probably mentally tough enough...just don't want you heading in there thinking it's going to be comparable to your dall hunt.
As for your specific questions, sheep are usually found on or within a few steps of broken terrain steeper than 25 degrees. Unfortunately that pretty much describes your entire unit. If you are itching to scout and can't get in there don't be shy about hiring a pilot. A little fixed wing airtime would be money well spent.

"If you are itching to scout and can't get in there don't be shy about hiring a pilot. A little fixed wing airtime would be money well spent."

I've never hunted sheep in Idaho but I've gotten to hunt Bighorns quite a few times and that is spot on advice if you have limited time to scout or have to figure it out on your own.

Ya that's the plan as soon as the snow comes off. Don't figure there is much reason to do it now while they are all on the river and not where they will be come hunting season

I don't know your area but the above advice sounds authentic. My experience indicates that Rockies are creatures of habit and tend to hang out in general areas year after year. I know one guide who keeps a log of sheep sightings and on what dates he has found groups of sheep. He swears they stick to the same general routine from one year to the next and will be in the same general spots.
If you can contact previous hunters who will share specific hang outs, that would give you a leg up.
I have also found it's all about finding good glassing points and sitting on your but.

Congrats and best of luck.

I had 20-2 many years ago. It was hard to find the rams because they were timbered up and smoke from fires really jacked up glassiing. I eventually took a nice ram after weeks of backpacking but was younger and just wouldn't give up. I don't know your unit, but if you want to talk about what I found in general, pm me and I'll send you my #.