Anyone been up Hells canyon in ID unit 18?

[huntnnw]

Has anyone gone up the Snake in Hells canyon into unit 18 for elk? looking for input if its worth hunting this unit from the river this way? I have planned to pack in from above, but that about gurantees we will be packing elk mostly all uphill and 4-7 miles as opposed to hunting from the river everything is down and more ammenties to camp at bottom. I have no exp with this part of the unit or how close the elk get to river. The drop off points I have looked at would be Sheep, Bernard and Granite creek and leaning on Granite creek as the favorite due to the timber is much closer to the river than the others. Any input would be appreciated..PM me if you dont want it on the forum. Thanks

[trophyhunt]

Hunted 18 a few years back when they had a big fire go through it, had a blast!! Saw probably over 100 elk in 4 days, one herd had 30+ cows with two nice 5 points fighting to the death. I had never seen a fight that long and mean. When I get home today I will pm you with the area we camped in, it was on the wilderness boundry up from riggins right on the top just before you start to go down the hill. It acually had a portapoty where we set up our wall tent. I killed my bull the first day and passed on 3 or 4 bulls that morning, my bull was a small 6x6 but really wide. We saw one masher but he was deep in the wilderness accross many canyons and in an area where the guides were. Fun tag when I had it but I think it was the perfect storm because the fire had pushed a lot of the elk into the wilderness area and had them a bit concentrated. I great thing about the hunt was, no wolves!! I don't know if it has changed or not with the wolves. Have fun, I will pm when I can.

[huntnnw]

2 years ago a ton of wolves running lightning and oldtimer creek area...last year didnt see any tracks, but I was told by a local that a fellow in Riggins really worked them over

Thanks Trophyhunt

[JM]

Granite Creek is what I would put my money on. Not saying that I'm the most experienced person to give advice, but I've spent a lot of time around the unit and some in the unit deer hunting.

[time2hunt]

P.M sent

[Forks]

Sitting in Riggins right now having coffee and listening to chukars chit chat.

[huntnnw]

left there today,, saw 1 cow elk, 1 5pt bull, several nice whitetails at 6300ft+ and one decent muley.  oh and 2 flat tires

[carpsniperg2]

Ouch! On your truck or a quad?

[huntnnw]

TRUCK..POS goodyear tires..25,000 miles on them from manufacturer..spent one day in Grangeville getting a new one and then right as we hit highway today to head home tire pressure sensor comes on..another popped..they could fix that one in Riggins.  I couldnt complain about the weather up there, beautiful, highs in the 60's and low 50's by 9pm

[JM]

Was it a Tacoma?

[carpsniperg2]

TRUCK..POS goodyear tires..25,000 miles on them from manufacturer..spent one day in Grangeville getting a new one and then right as we hit highway today to head home tire pressure sensor comes on..another popped..they could fix that one in Riggins.  I couldnt complain about the weather up there, beautiful, highs in the 60's and low 50's by 9pm

Wow that is really crappy, time to switch to schwad brand tires Glad the weather was nice for ya.

[JLS]

Do you have a boat lined up that will take you all the way to Granite Creek?

[huntnphool]

I've been up there in my boat but not for hunting. I think Pope has been hunting by boat in there though, you might send him a PM?

[huntnnw]

No we were in a Jeep.

I dont have a boat lined up, but able to pay several fishing guides that will drop us off if needed....just been researching and getting opinions on that route in. I talked to time2hunt today..got good info from him. Granite doesnt sound so good anymore with a outfitter based out of there. It also sounds like hunting by boat towards the end of the year is better with snow pushing elk down towards river. Still got some time to think things over..The first priority of the hunt will to get my girlfriend a bull, she isnt going to be picky.

I got some really good  info from another guy I met down there last year on a area to hunt that is not in the wilderness and has a road system, but gated off to motorized travel and sounds to have alot of bulls and big ones shot last year in there 360" and 330" that he knew of.

[JLS]

I'd verify with the fishing guides that they would legally be able to transport you in and your game out.  That would likely constitute outfitting in Idaho, and they would have to be licensed with the state and permitted through the Forest Service.

[huntnnw]

I know for sure 2 are

[Annette]

I think you should scout it from the Ore.  side then decide..

[huntnnw]

Really not an option to try and do that right now..I can see into most of that country from top and know where I want to be..a boat ride up would be sufficient to see entry points...its really down to 1 point now thats doable on foot

[jetboatinghunter]

PM sent.

[backcountry55]

Hey I drew too!! This will be my 2nd time there big country but fun! If you want hit me up I will try to help