Idaho hunting...which species?

[deerhunter_98520]

OK so I finally got a buddy willing to save up and go on a out of state trip hunting and were going to head to Idaho next year..I'm thinking i might go for mule deer but woukdnt mind elk eithe....for those of you that hunted there if you only hunt one of the species there which would it be? What are the best chances? I've never hunted anything but coastal Washington so this will all be a new experience...I've got a copy of the regs from a couple years ago and I'm trying to translate them  anyone went after deer and elk at the same time? If they even have over lapping seasons? I will have a week off over there just not sure yet what season to go for or if both species will be too much for a week...I have family over there and will be getting ahold of them and probably hunting with them but figured I would get everyone's opinion on here with their success....also a wolf tag will be in my pocket also 

[3nails]

 From one blacktail hunter to another..... Go for whitetails! Brushy, wet..... Just like home! So many ways to hunt them. Rattling tops! IMHO. You can also buy 2 tags for whitetail bucks. Fill the first one and hold out for a pig on the next.

[deerhunter_98520]

Oh sure make it an even harder decision now  2 bucks would be nice

[300rum]

Depending on where you hunt and if you hunt together as in right next to each other?  I would buy a Deer Tag and an Elk tag.  I just go for Deer myself as it is too hard (as in I don't want to) to get them out myself.  Every year except this year I see a 300+ bull that I just get to watch. 

[deerhunter_98520]

We will be hunting together....he's a rookie and not ready to hunt to much by himself ....I could care less how big of an elk it is just a good legal bull would be just fine and not worries about a pack out

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

If you hunt the Panhandle, you have already gotten plenty of training in the thick coastal forest!  I would say elk, because I see more elk in the woods than I do deer.  Deer takes a little more time to locate good areas that are not over run by locals.

[kukusya]

Elk, Antelope, wolf.

[300rum]

Then I would have one of you get an Elk tag and the other a Deer tag. 

We will be hunting together....he's a rookie and not ready to hunt to much by himself ....I could care less how big of an elk it is just a good legal bull would be just fine and not worries about a pack out

[deerhunter_98520]

We both are getting deer tags for sure....I was just unsure if spending the extra 450 on an elk tag would be worth it if a season was open at the same time....it must be a lot better elk hunting then on the wetside

[kevinlisa06]

What units are you thinking about? I know up where my wife's family lives a good whitetail is pretty good odds


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[ridgefire]

will you be hunting archery or rifle? I would def be chasing elk with my bow but have seen some bucks that have tempted me to start buying a deer tag too. I would focus on one animal if you only have a week though.

[Cougar125]

No matter which way you decide to go with your hunt, please buy 2 wolf tags and fill them.   

[grundy53]

From one blacktail hunter to another..... Go for whitetails! Brushy, wet..... Just like home! So many ways to hunt them. Rattling tops! IMHO. You can also buy 2 tags for whitetail bucks. Fill the first one and hold out for a pig on the next.

[deerhunter_98520]

A couple wolf tags will be the first purchase  and I'm goin for rifle....my buddy doesn't archery hunt yet....and I haven't looked at any units in particular yet....just trying to figure out what species to go for first...after wolf that is.....any reccomendations on units? I'm not afraid to wear out a pair of boots if need be

[3nails]

 PM me if you decide on whitetail.

[deerhunter_98520]

Well my cousin was in town today and talked to him about hunting there and it looks like the begining of November is the time frame and area 14-16a is where we will be hunting..anyone have any advice for that area?

[Born2late]

We hunt 15 every year. I'll pm you my number if you want to ask
Me any questions.

[chiefeng]

In Idaho you can use any tag you have on Wolf so if you have an extra deer tag you could use that. You can look up the regs on their web site

[TripleB]

Wolf.

[deerhunter_98520]

I will deffinetly have a wolf tag in my pocket....it will be a goal of mine to tag one along with a deer

[GotMyTag]

many areas in idaho let you hunt deer, elk, wolf all at the same time.

[deerhunter_98520]

Being my first year there is it worth the money going after deer and elk with only a week off? And never stepping foot in the area

[ridgefire]

I wouldn't, it could turn into a real expensive scouting trip. first year or two I would concentrate on one or the other and then possibly get both if you are seeing plenty of animals.

[huntnnw]

if you have just a deer tag your about guranteed to see a bull elk on your hunt 

[bobcat]

I have thought about hunting Idaho, and for the first time, me having a deer tag and my hunting partner an elk tag, or vice versa. That way we'd be covered for whatever we found. Although it would probably turn out that the guy with the deer tag would have an opportunity at a big bull elk, and the guy with the elk tag would see a monster buck, and we'd still go home empty handed.   

However, another cool thing about Idaho, is that a deer tag can also be used on a bear, and maybe a cougar? Not sure about that but I'm pretty sure you can kill a bear with a deer tag if you choose. And maybe the elk tags are the same way? It's been a while since I researched Idaho.   

[huntnnw]

yes and wolves, but Id never burn a $300 deer and $450 elk tag on a bear or wolf

[bobcat]

yes and wolves, but Id never burn a $300 deer and $450 elk tag on a bear or wolf

Well, I see your point, but if I had been hunting a week and hadn't yet killed a deer or elk, a bear just might look good. Probably not a wolf though, I want something I can eat. The wolf I might shoot but wouldn't waste my tag on it.   

[fishngamereaper]

Everyone buy a deer tag, and split the cost of an elk tag. That way you have a least one elk tag in camp.

[Taco280AI]

First year I'd suggest deer and wolf since their tag is cheap. Get your deer and scout for elk while out. Then next year go for elk, or all three if you can swing the $$$. When you get there, hike up, and keep going up till you don't see any other people. You'll find deer.

[blackveltbowhunter]

  This year I did an archery elk hunt in idaho, was my first trip so take this all with a grain of salt as I am no expert...

  IMO alot of it depends on how you view your tag. If you are looking to hunt deer, and elk are in the area and you dont really care to hunt elk but want to have a tag "just in case" and the discretionary income. Go for it. If your like me, out of state tags are precious and each one needs to be utilized to the fullest capacity. Then I would forgo one or the other, until VERY familiar with the region/area you are hunting.

   Unless you have access to very reliable intel and places to go, I would budget a couple days into my hunt to locate a decent spot. Realistically That gives you five days to kill two bucks. Depending on your standards you should be able to notch a couple tags and enjoy yourselves doing it. If your standards are high for the area, then allow more time ( ie pressure ) If low you may be done sooner.

   My experince has been that although elk and deer habitats overlap alot. They typically don't dwell together. Of course rut, pressure, migration and individual animals all influence that. But most of my success has come when I target one or the other. Sure, I have seen nice bulls when buck hunting and vice versa, but honestly it's not often enough that it would warrant buying one or the other tag. The exception would be a backcountry hunt where covering a bunch of ground may take you into pockets of either species.   

   Although my first year in Idaho, I have hunted Oregon for the past seven years. Some years for deer. Some years for elk. Some years for both. I have always hunted archery.

 Heres some observations that I noticed looking back on the time. I have bought a combo 3 times and sucked on tag soup for one or the other species two times out of those. The year I tagged both I was stressed, and although blessed I didn't take the quality of animals or have the quality of hunt for either species that I have in the single species years. The year I filled both tags I relied heavily on the fact that good elk hunting was an hour from my house. Had it been an  8 or 10 hour drive their is no way. Being very familiar with some areas now, and having some connections built over time. I would be comfortable buying both again now, But still wouldnt expect to get the quality of animals I might if holding just one species. 

   I guess all this rambling is to say that extra tags are always a good thing until they bring extra stress. If the extra tags will not create stress, or one or the other will not be bummed because they didnt get to devot as much time to their tag as they hoped then go for it. If not, keep it simple and enjoy the heck out of your hunt.

[deerhunter_98520]

Thanks or all the input guys....basically everything you guys have said is what my cousin that lives there told me....I just have that feeling that if I don't buy the elk tag I'm gonna see a monster  and I like being prepared....I think if funds allow it I'll get an elk tag also...I'm not worried about burning a few hundred on a tag just in case

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Your attitude is spot on with a out of state adventure! So much is weighed on tag prices. As long as the cost does not bother you ,you will have an awesome hunt! Rely on your skills and you will succeed anywhere in the World!!!!

[deerhunter_98520]

That's what I'm goin for...a great out of state hunt....I'm staying there for free it just going to cost me gas/food/tags...my cousin has a wall tent setup for a month every year so I'm set with that.....I did my first elk camp this year just an hour away from my house and had an absolute blast and can't wait to do another

[deerhunter_98520]

Anyone have any pics they could share of the unit?

[boneaddict]

I have some somewhere.   Not making any promises.  I am in the middle of a photo hunt, if I find them I'll post them for you

[deerhunter_98520]

Thanks bone 

[actionshooter]

Thanks or all the input guys....basically everything you guys have said is what my cousin that lives there told me....I just have that feeling that if I don't buy the elk tag I'm gonna see a monster  and I like being prepared....I think if funds allow it I'll get an elk tag also...I'm not worried about burning a few hundred on a tag just in case

If you can swing it, do it.  The price of a tag is small compared to the regrets of passing one up when you could have taken it.
 Don't forget the wolf tag!

[deerhunter_98520]

Is there a limit on wolf tags?

[HornHoarder]

Is there a limit on wolf tags?

I believe it is 5 per person/year

[WA hunter14]

i live in 10a but 15,16,16a are all not far from home i hunted all of them alot this year and it is good deer hunting in all of them. i saw lots of bucks passed a ton of smaller bucks that i really regret passing trying to find a 140-150 inch buck. I could help point you in the right direction for deer but not elk at all. i saw no elk this year outside of 10a and that is saying something because i covered alot of ground on foot especially in 15. i saw a ton of elk sign in some places, some of it very fresh but i did not actually lay eyes on an elk in 15,16,16a. However i did not target elk at all in those units because in idaho you can only hunt elk in one unit(i chose 10a). What kind of hunting experience are you looking for?

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Oh sure make it an even harder decision now  2 bucks would be nice

They also give you the second tag for $100 less than the first one. At least they did this year. Wouldn't be surprised if they did again next year. Weigh it against having to buy a Weyerhauser pass or two and it's not that bad.

[deerhunter_98520]

If they do that again I might just have to get 2 tags instead of an elk tag