Idaho Elk Hunting

RogueFishr · 11-06-2002, 01:34 PM

I am considering going out of state for elk next year. I am considering either Idaho or Montana, but willing to consider anywhere. I have hunted the east side of Oregon for 20 years, but want to go somewhere without the "spike only" limitations. And, no, the preference point system in Oregon is not working well for me. I don't think it would work for me unless I enclosed a fist full of unmarked 100 dollar bills [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] . Just my luck

Anyway, I am looking for somewhere to take my Dad where he stands a good chance of at least seeing lots of elk, with a decent chance of shooting a bull. He is getting up there in years and probably is nearing the end of his elk hunting career. I am continually having to backtrack to look for him, only to find him crumpled under the weight of the pack frame and hind quarter of my elk, waiting for me to come back and help him back to his feet [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] (Just KIDDING :grin: :grin: ) I am NOT looking for anyones secret spot or favorite canyon, just some pointers to get started on picking an area. I tried contacting a biologist in Idaho. I either got the worlds first card carrying member of PETA game biologist, or the guys wife just ran off with the poolman and he was having a reeeeeeally bad day. No information from him.

If someone can pass on any general info on areas to consider it would be greatly appreciated. If anyone wants information on hunting spike only in Oregon, feel free to ask :smile: This will be a one time trip for my Dad, brother, and myself. I will go back to donating my application fee to the Oregon and then hunting the spike only hunts I am used too. Feel free to email me if you don't want to broadcast any specific information.

thanks again,
RF

Big Willie · 11-06-2002, 01:56 PM

Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness in Idaho...incredible country. I'm sure you will get lot's of help here, both states offer some great hunting.
Gary

Bait O' Eggs · 11-06-2002, 02:28 PM

A few years ago I hunted elk near Salmon Idaho. We threw a dart at a map and got a tag for where the dart landed. We saw only a dozen elk with a week of hard hunting and only one bull for just a few seconds, but he was a dandy. :smile: We never saw a dead animal hanging in any camps and all the locals were blaming the wolves. Lots of hunters in the area doing little to no killing. I have been assured by Birdhunter that the wolves only take 2% of a herd

but it looked like they hadnt caught the last 2% yet to us. :depressed:

Next week I am headed to Idaho to hunt deer. We are a little more informed on where we are going and what we will encounter, unless those pesky wolves have moved into our new country in the last couple of years. If I see any elk I will let you know.

And if you want to get the Oregon preference point system to work better for you, you need to mail in your application with 1/2 of a $100 bill. Write on the 1/2 you mail, the other half will follow when you are successfully drawn for the unit you applied.

WaterDog · 11-06-2002, 02:41 PM

And those wolves never existed in that area ever?

Maybe those locals shoot elk like you catch springers.

[img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

nerta · 11-06-2002, 03:15 PM

:grin: While growing up my step father was an outfitter in the selway area. I have some areas in mind that offer good hunting within walking distance of a dead end road in bitterroots. drop me an e-mail and i will share this area with you. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Born to Fish · 11-06-2002, 03:15 PM

RogueFishr,
While I'm not an expert with a lot of years and successful hunts behind me, I'll give you one Idahoan's perspective. For the record, my last hunt was back in 1998 when I had to make the difficult decision to stop hunting based on some comments from my cardiologist. Well, maybe it wasn't that difficult, since it provided me more opportunity for fishing.

At any rate, not too many years ago, and probably still, you could get state-wide harvest record statistics from the state F&G dept. Can't recall if I had to pay for the publication, but it was a real eye opener for me! Basically, the statewide for the various hunts [by unit, season, type hunt, etc.] was dismally low. My first impression was why bother....what the heck are they doing about these dismal spec's, and why do they continually make generic comments in the media about how good the herd is coming along!

If I were you I'd try to get that publication, which I believe was based on the previous year's hunter statistical reports. That would be a great guide in trying to focus on a specific unit/area and hunt. Then you could try to connect with the F&G staff for that region and see if you can get more specifics and narrow down locations based on their responses or what you can get out of the biologists from Federal agencies in the area [forest service, BLM, etc.].

The three areas i focused on, for various reasons [some of which associated with only being able to get out on a weekend] included:
1. Boise National Forest - according to some of the fire staff I talked to, some areas have pretty good populations. Many areas can be overrun by the crowds originating from Boise, but a lot of those folks don't get very far off the road or beaten path.
2. Mann Creek, Hitt Peak area behind Mann Creek Reservoir just north of Weiser, Idaho. Heck, if you get homesick you can look across to Oregon from many of the high ridges. The elk herd has been slowly coming back from a significant winter kill several years ago [so the story goes]. Its big, beautiful country with many access roads that can get you to ridge tops on down to valley bottoms. Can't say I ever felt that area was overcrowded, even though it's not that far from Boise, or Ontario, OR, but what erked me most was that so few hunters got their sorry butts out of their trucks or off the ATV's. Of course, that can work in your favor.
3. My last year's hunt was a cow elk season just south of Salmon, ID [off/west of HWY 28 toward Leadore]. Incredibly beautiful and rugged country. Some areas have good access, others no so good. Saw a fair amount of road hunting but no crowds. Saw more elk there then I have in any other area but you need to plan for good possibility of severe weather changes that can really throw a monkey wrench into your plans and where the heck did those fur balls disappear to! Then again, if all else fails, at that time of the year the stealhead fishing on the Salmon River can be awsome.

Good luck.

Myles · 11-06-2002, 03:51 PM

This may help in general planning, spend some time looking at the maps. There's success rates for each unit, number of bulls, % of 6 pt. or better etc. Maybe it will help you narrow your choices. I don't know about access or terrain but just one more piece of the puzzle.
www.mapspecifics.com/ID/IdahoMainPage/IdahoElk.htm

good luck

myles

Gus Orviston · 11-06-2002, 06:46 PM

BOE, drawing tags in MT isn't all that easy either. The only way to get them for sure is to get a guide. Last I heard the out of state limits were 10K and 10K for guides.

The tag there starts with bow and if you don't fill it you get to go back with a rifle...at least that is way it was 6-8 years ago.

If it is remote spike camping, pack in experience you are up for the Bob Marshall area is vast and has many many animals in it...grizz too though.

RogueFishr · 11-07-2002, 07:13 AM

thanks for the input from everyone. Nerta, I sent you an email.

thanks
RF

Mr. BrownTrout · 11-09-2002, 06:10 AM

Have you tried checking out the Idaho department of fish and game's website, they give a run down of prior years harvest for all the units. I live here in Idaho and thats how I some times choose where I am going to hunt. Good luck.

bllelk · 11-09-2002, 08:26 AM

Rogue
Consider S.E. Idaho. I've hunted Idaho from Grangeville S. for 20+ years and never saw as many elk as I did the one year I hunted the S.E. corner. Contact the Fish and Game office in Pocatello, tell Mo or Joan that Bill and Barb suggested you call, (Barb used to be a biologist there) and ask them to put you in touch with one of the big game guys or a C.O. The best hunt is black powder and late. Lots of elk in the Geogetown area and there is a rancher or two that will let you hunt his ranch if you stay at his place and pay a few $. Otherwise there is plenty of forest service and BLM ground.

maggot · 11-09-2002, 08:56 AM

according to my father , based in Mtn. Home,...thay had a major calf mortality rate due to wolves...I was in the payette nat. forest this summer... saw alot of wolf sign around mccall..

local_hooker · 11-11-2002, 08:16 AM

I'd have to agree with born-to-fish on choice #2. The Manns creek area north of Weiser has alot of good elk hunting, Hitt Mt. a little farther north, and especailly Cuddy Mtn. a little farther north of that. Cuddy would be my first choice but it can be steep, deep, and trecherous.

I grew up in Payette (about 40mi. south) and spent alot of time bow hunting these areas. I left Idaho in 98' and at that time the Manns creek area was draw only for elk (rifle), but the units to the north of there had a general rifle season. If you draw the manns creek area I would stick to the west side of the unit, rock creek & Jenkins creek. There are a few big ranches on that side but UNLIKE Oregon, just ask and 99% of the time you're on, unless they see your out of state plates :grin:

As far as taking your dad, you do need to get away from the roads in order to see more elk and less people. However, it is very dry in this area and I have had my best results finding a water hole (even a rancher's stock tank) and sitting on it till the elk come to me. Find the water and you'll find the elk.

If you decide to hunt Cuddy (near Cambridge Idaho) and want to work hard in a very nasty canyon send me an e-mail and I'll be more than happy to give you the specifics. It is a two mile hike from a dead end road just to the edge of the canyon, but well worth the hike.

Good luck where ever you go.

sean