For Gun Rod Bow/Idaho moose hunting

[James in Idaho]

GRB:

Saw your interest in hunting moose here in Idaho on Id. Painters post. I think I can help you out. I killed mine this past fall, what a blast. Too bad they only let you do it once! I hunted the area just west of Pocatello, and took a 36" bull, which is an average young bull. Excellent eating. There are lots of moose in the southeast part of the state, and I'd concentrate on the areas from Island Park south to the border and west to Rockland. The Idaho Fish and Game website has hunt stats and drawing odds going back several years. The areas around Palisades lake (south of) have excellent populations, and I have seen several huge bulls in that area. If I wanted a big one, I'd look there and around the Soda Springs area. There are some big ones in the Pocatello area, but you would not have as much backcounty type hunting. Toughest part is drawing the tag, most units have at least 80% success rates. I got lucky and drew after 4 years. One tip on looking at drawing odds, look back two years. If you have questions, let me know. The best part of my hunt was having my 9 year old daughter along for the entire deal, from spotting the group of moose to skinning mine! She even helped with the field dressing, what a trooper. Wants to put in for one when she is 12! Next best part was 300 yards uphill from a road!!!!!!!! There's a picture of my moose on the picture uploads page, but I can't seem to get it to this post. Guess I'm better with a .270 than a computer!

[Mojo]

James,
Here is your moose...

[Gun Rod Bow]

James,

That is awesome!! Thanks much for the info. I'll start putting in and if I draw, I'll be over there scouting. If I draw, I'll let you know.

I posted a pic of my 13 yr old daughter and her first elk back in December. Did you catch it? If you come over to Oregon, I'd be happy to repay with some fishin'.

Thanks again.

GRB

[James in Idaho]

GRB:

Yeah, I did see the picture of your kid and the elk. Way to go. Forgot to mention that if you draw a tag, you might want to plan your hunt for the the latter half of October. I started when it opened (seasons usually run from 8/31 to 11/20 thereabouts), but it was way hot and the trees still all have leaves. The moose are pretty nocturnal then, and just about impossible to spot when they bed down. That black hide just disappears in the shadows. By the first part of October, the mornings are cool enough that you can start to spot moose for the first couple of hours. The rut begins around the middle of the month, and that is when the bulls really start to show up. I shot mine right at the beginning of the rut, but the big boys had not really started running the young bulls off yet. Five days latter my friend who was elk hunting in the same area really started to see the big bulls heading the cows, and the smaller bulls were pushed out. If you draw out, get in touch. Thanks for the fishing offer, I'm heading to the Salmon next week, nothing like fishing the slush ice!

[eightball]

??James in Idaho. Can a nonresident draw a moose tag in Idaho? I've elk hunted the Stanley basin for years with 80% success. Never have seen moose there though.

[James in Idaho]

8 Ball:

As of last year, non-resident moose permits were authorized. I think there is a limit to no more than 10% of permits allowed. The exact spec's are in the regs. Cost is somewhere around $1500, so it ain't cheap. I haven't seen any in the Stanley basin either, but over toward Challis, Salmon and Leadore there are moose. Then again, just 'cause I haven't seen them, doesn't mean there not there. Kinda like my steelhead fishing, I can't seem to catch them, but they are there!

[Tilla]

Well Well James....Hows Bob?
Watch out GRB, if you meet his dog, count your fingers!

[Tilla]

James stuck in Idaho,
Would the Bear Cr. drainage on the south side of Palisades (cross the dam) qualify as the area you are describing?

[James in Idaho]

Tilla:

Bob's good, we had a great season. Not too many ducks (but all I want to eat!), best year ever on pheasants. First year ever with zero lost birds, I'm pretty proud of the work that Bob did. Even showed off for guests from out of state, all of them at least got shots at roosters. Some need to practice a little more!! There might be a midwest pheasant trip next fall. Also got a small antelope in Wyoming with my muzzleloader, that was a really relaxing trip.

Anything south of Palisades is good moose country. Actually, all of eastern Idaho is pretty good. Just a matter of how tough of country you want to hunt.

You training a new pup this summer? About all I'm planning is letting Maryjane run Bob in the junior!!

I'm out of here for the rest of the week, gotta try to catch a steelhead! I'll get back out your way, and then I'll "let" you take me fishing! Take care.

James

[Tilla]

Cool! Good for Bob. sounds like your daughter had a great time too. My wife is going to run Josie in Senior (once she gets out and trains) this year. I am just going to goof off and fish.