Middle fork zones Idaho elk hunts ?

[robertsjd]

Hey guys looking into an out of state elk hunt and with the vacation time I have available . Looks like te middle fork zones in Idaho November 1-18 I it's 20 A 26-27 are the units I'm allowed to take a bull I'm and it's open in a time frame I'm free . My question is are those units fairly descent for a chance at a bull pretty populated with elk and lots of public land things like that ? Thanks for any information !

[Bigshooter]

Hey guys looking into an out of state elk hunt and with the vacation time I have available . Looks like te middle fork zones in Idaho November 1-18 I it's 20 A 26-27 are the units I'm allowed to take a bull I'm and it's open in a time frame I'm free . My question is are those units fairly descent for a chance at a bull pretty populated with elk and lots of public land things like that ? Thanks for any information !

Very remote country.  If you don't know a lot about the area I would look else where.

[robertsjd]

Yikes ! Is it pretty populated with elk tho I'll make it over and scout it out before November . But those units are the only one open after November 5 th and I get my vaca November 5

[Camo]

I would recommend staying out of 26 until they have some success eradicating some of the predators. I have no experience in the other units.

[bugs n bones]

Waste of your money, been there several times

[Bigshooter]

Yikes ! Is it pretty populated with elk tho I'll make it over and scout it out before November . But those units are the only one open after November 5 th and I get my vaca November 5

Buy a MT elk tag then.

[robertsjd]

Yikes maybe I'll look into MT instead .

[Beargravy]

I have hunted 26 and 27 a few times, killing game is not a problem getting them out is.This area is remote and extremely rugged,flying in is your best option.If you go allow lots of time for packing game and flight delays.If extreme backcountry is your thing have at it! Good Luck.

[robertsjd]

I'll have 10 days yikes sounds a bit rugged haha . Maybe I'm not ready for that . I'm up for a challenge but seems May seem to be little to rough for me at this time

[whuppinstick]

I have hunted 26 and 27 a few times, killing game is not a problem getting them out is.This area is remote and extremely rugged,flying in is your best option.If you go allow lots of time for packing game and flight delays.If extreme backcountry is your thing have at it! Good Luck.

You're right about the rugged country.  I would disagree that killing game is easy (especially elk).  There is game, but there's many more huge swathes of land that don't have game.  It's very spotty in there.  Here's a story about one I killed in there, but I was very lucky: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=387418
I went back to the same place the next year and saw one herd with a raghorn over a week.  I went back late in November for ten days for deer and saw five deer (one tiny 3-point and four does about 2 miles away) and some herds of cows.  Game is far and few between in the Middle Fork.  I'd suggest going to Montana.

[Bigshooter]

I have hunted 26 and 27 a few times, killing game is not a problem getting them out is.This area is remote and extremely rugged,flying in is your best option.If you go allow lots of time for packing game and flight delays.If extreme backcountry is your thing have at it! Good Luck.

You're right about the rugged country.  I would disagree that killing game is easy (especially elk).  There is game, but there's many more huge swathes of land that don't have game.  It's very spotty in there.  Here's a story about one I killed in there, but I was very lucky: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=387418
I went back to the same place the next year and saw one herd with a raghorn over a week.  I went back late in November for ten days for deer and saw five deer (one tiny 3-point and four does about 2 miles away) and some herds of cows.  Game is far and few between in the Middle Fork.  I'd suggest going to Montana.

I agree with Beargravy.  I have almost always found a lot of game in the middle fork, unless I was way behind or way ahead of the migration.  And that goes for deer and elk.  I have never flown in to hunt elk.  But I could have killed a bull every time that I have flown in.  And besides one year where I saw a total of 8 deer, I have never had a day where I didn't see at least 50 deer in a day.  And I have a lot of days of seeing 200+ deer in a day.  Now if you are looking for quality animals those are hard to come by in the middle fork.

[robertsjd]

Wow thanks so much for the feed back greatly appreciated guys best of luck this season !

[Camo]

Bigshooter,
Can I ask how long it's been since you were in there? I ask because I was in there in '08/'09/'10. Though we could find enough deer to keep us entertained, we never had 200 deer days. Bucks were available but quality was a challenge. Most notably was that elk sightings went from abundant (thinking about buying tags), to a couple small groups(really not gonna pack one outta here anyway) to zero the last year(glad we didn't buy the tag). Wolf sign went from not terribly evident, to some definite sign, to tracks in the snow, howling at night, and the outfitter in our area trying to take the "black" one. Lots of stories about "how great it used to be". Just interested in your time frame.

[Bigshooter]

First year was 97 last time was 07 I think.  I still have friends that fly in every year and still see a ton of deer and and some elk.  What strip do you fly into?  PM me if you don't won't to say.

[actionshooter]

Bigshooter,
Can I ask how long it's been since you were in there? I ask because I was in there in '08/'09/'10. Though we could find enough deer to keep us entertained, we never had 200 deer days. Bucks were available but quality was a challenge. Most notably was that elk sightings went from abundant (thinking about buying tags), to a couple small groups(really not gonna pack one outta here anyway) to zero the last year(glad we didn't buy the tag). Wolf sign went from not terribly evident, to some definite sign, to tracks in the snow, howling at night, and the outfitter in our area trying to take the "black" one. Lots of stories about "how great it used to be". Just interested in your time frame.

And its only gotten worse, wolves are just a part of the package now, the elk don't talk, come out in the open or "herd up" I have been going since 08 and watched it change a little each year (for the worse). Also I have NEVER seen a or even heard of a 200 deer day, on the best day maybe 40. I go back only if I don't draw tags somewhere else and that's because my hunting partner and I really like the country.

[hirshey]

I've seen elk each year, but no bulls worth the out of state tag fees.. and usually tremendous distances from trail systems (let alone trailheads!). They've generally been in groups of 4-8 and are always moving. I think I missed the "good old days", unless filling a wolf tag is your picture of the "good old days". Had them howl for about 2 hours just before dawn this last season, and two separate evenings the season prior. They definitely have a presence there.

[Camo]

Pretty sure that they sent a professional hunter into unit 26 last December. If I remember correctly, so don't quote me on this, he was in for 30+ days or so but only got 9. In conclusion there was talk of possibly using bait in the future. Not sure if anything will come of that but at least its on the radar. With successful control efforts,  it may have a significant positive impact in a reasonably short amount of time.

[robertsjd]

Damn .. That's crazy ! Damn wolves .. Guess I'll have to look into Montana more ha

[Bigshooter]

Actionshooter,
I have seen a lot more than 200 deer in a day in there.  The last year I was in there there were 40 deer on the ridge every morning across from my spike camp.

[whuppinstick]

First year was 97 last time was 07 I think.  I still have friends that fly in every year and still see a ton of deer and and some elk.  What strip do you fly into?  PM me if you don't won't to say.

What strip are you flying into?