Idaho Moose in Unit 1-2

[cem3434]

So I was lucky enough to draw an ID moose tag in unit 1-2 and I am starting to do some research before planning my first scouting trip.  I am not a member of Huntin' Fool, but I know they have some sort of database for members to contact other members that have previously drawn the same tags. Is anyone a member of Huntin' Fool and if so, do you know if there is members list available for moose in unit 1-2? Since I have to drive at least 6 hours each way and spend $150 roundtrip on fuel, I am thinking that joining Huntin' Fool might be a good way to start my research and scouting efforts if they have a members list for this hunt. 

I am planning on calling the biologist for the unit this week to see what useful information they can provide.  If anyone else has any helpful information to point me in the right direction, I would sure appreciate the help. I'm going to switch everything to ghost points in WA to make sure I can focus all of my hunting efforts on ID moose, so good luck to everyone else in the WA draw.

[deerdog]

Congrats. On your idaho moose tag it should be a blast. Best advice would be to just call huntin fool and see if they have a members list. I would bet they do. When I drew a tag for a different unit they did. Congrats again and will be looking for some pictures this fall!

[GurrCentral]

Congrats! I would joint the Rokslide forum as well! Alot of ID guys on there and a pretty active moose section.. Keep us updated! I should have put in this year, but dragged my feet. Good luck!

[stew pidasso]

Yes they have a members draw list. Not sure they will give you #'s without being a member yourself but its worth a try. Here's the #.
425-865-1020
By the way if you ever want to become a huntinfool member I'll have you pm me some info and I can have them send you info. It would enter me in to a couple drawings too, so win win. Congrats on the tag.

[benhuntin]

We hunted 1-1. Get as high as possible.

[BULLBLASTER]

Cool on the draw!
Don't be surprised if the biologist doesn't have much info for you.  I called last year for my moose hunt and they told me they don't actively study moose populations or density in areas. They just look at harvest stats. Unless the bio knows some areas or is personally interested they are more focused on elk and predators
Good luck!

[Hoythunter]

We hunted 1-1. Get as high as possible.

 

[WapitiTalk1]

Congrats on your tag!  Here's a pic to get your juices going; this guy stopped for a photo OP not too far from camp on my 2013 Idaho elk hunt.   

[jae]

We used to see lots of Moose in Unit 1 while deer hunting. PM Me if You need more info.
John

[cem3434]

Congrats on your tag!  Here's a pic to get your juices going; this guy stopped for a photo OP not too far from camp on my 2013 Idaho elk hunt.

I have only seen a couple of small to average bulls while scouting, so the bull on your trail cam picture would be a definite shooter in my book. Most of the areas that I have scouted are either currently burning or closed for fire danger. I'm praying for some rain in the next 2 weeks otherwise I'm going to go blind into another area that is open in the unit, so it could be interesting to see what happens.

[USMC86]

Would highly recommend joining Hunting Fool.  I agree with the earlier post that they probably won't give you the list unless you are a member.   I have used their lists in the past when I've drawn units I wasn't familiar with and it was a huge help.  Also did the same for members that called me. Well worth the money to get straight info from folks that have hunted where you've drawn.

[WAcoyotehunter]

That area is pretty good.  You will find moose if you do any looking

[cem3434]

Would highly recommend joining Hunting Fool.  I agree with the earlier post that they probably won't give you the list unless you are a member.   I have used their lists in the past when I've drawn units I wasn't familiar with and it was a huge help.  Also did the same for members that called me. Well worth the money to get straight info from folks that have hunted where you've drawn.

I joined and talked to a couple of members.  It saved me a lot of time and helped me narrow down a few areas to focus on, so it was well worth the money.

[cem3434]

That area is pretty good.  You will find moose if you do any looking

Yeah, I just need to get up high as many others have suggested. I'm just hoping it rains there so I don't miss the rut.

[WAcoyotehunter]

when are you going over?

[cem3434]

It depends on the fire danger, but I was going to head over on the 18th for the weekend and then go back the last couple days of the month and the first week of October.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Ok.  Where were you thinking of starting.  Priest lake area?

[boneaddict]

There are moose all over the place, high, low, everywhere.  Size class is down because of increased tags, or heavy harvest, and wolves are still taking their share.  Still plenty of moose. You'll do fine.  Enjoy your hunt.

[cem3434]

So I finally got to spend a couple more days in the woods scouting and technically hunting now that my season is open.  I called in one small bull on Saturday and about a 36" bull on Sunday, but his points and paddles where pretty weak. I was in the woods with my buddy, my cousin and my wife and she was the only one that wasn't disappointed on me passing on the larger of the 2 bulls.

The rut didn't seem to be going on yet, but the little bull came in on a rope to my calls. There were wolves in the area and a couple of archery hunters we spoke with had actually shot at a pack of wolves and that general area, so I am thinking that was keeping the moose from being vocal.  Overall we seen 10 cows, 4 calves and 2 bulls along with a ton of deer and one bear.  Between scouting (trail cameras) and now spending sometime in the woods, I am thinking that a 42" bull might be a stretch in the unit.

I think I might be able to head back over again this weekend for another "long" weekend, but we will see if my job permits me to get away or not.  Hopefully we start to see some more signs of the rut if I can sneak back over this weekend.

[Hoythunter]

Rut still very early yet.  Sounds like you're seeing decent numbers; don't settle.  Best hunting is yet to come!

[cem3434]

Well I am back at it starting today, now I just need find a decent bull.  I will update you guys as time permits and hopefully after a successful hunt. 

[Whitpirate]

Good luck... I'll be applying for that unit next year.

[combs338]

Well I am back at it starting today, now I just need find a decent bull.  I will update you guys as time permits and hopefully after a successful hunt.

Good Luck!! Get it done buddy!!

[Duckslayer89]

Good luck... I'll be applying for that unit next year.

Is it easy to apply as an out of state guy? I'd like to start, I don't think Idaho has a point system

[WAcoyotehunter]

Its easy to apply, but you have to buy the hunting license (154) then pay the tag cost up front (~$1000)....

[luvmystang67]

Its easy to apply, but you have to buy the hunting license (154) then pay the tag cost up front (~$1000)....

HAHAHA, 1000...

$2101 is the cost to apply for moose, bighorn or mtn goat.  You get all but the ~$15 app fee back a few months later if you don't draw.

[Duckslayer89]

Well already did a bunch of research, some places im Idaho have a 50% or better draw percentage. Crazy. I wonder if that's for residents only? It didn't seperate them into two categories. I have experience in unit 10-3 elk/wolf hunting but it's been pretty well run through by wolves only 3 out of 10 tag holders got a moose last year. Looks like unit 1-1 is very productive

[Mossyoak]

I am pretty sure you don't get your license (154) dollars back. The only thing you get back is the tag fee of 2100 bucks or so.

[Duckslayer89]

Did more research and it says you get everything but tag application back which is 15 bucks not bad!

[luvmystang67]

You do not get your $154 license back either.  So it costs you $154+~$15 if not drawn. 

[whacker1]

You do not get your $154 license back either.  So it costs you $154+~$15 if not drawn.

This is correct, you lose the license cost and application.  I usually

[Gringo31]

I will update you guys as time permits and hopefully after a successful hunt.

 

[Bango skank]

Well already did a bunch of research, some places im Idaho have a 50% or better draw percentage. Crazy. I wonder if that's for residents only? It didn't seperate them into two categories. I have experience in unit 10-3 elk/wolf hunting but it's been pretty well run through by wolves only 3 out of 10 tag holders got a moose last year. Looks like unit 1-1 is very productive

I had it explained to me by an id resident recently.  I was thinking 1-3 had a 36% odds, but thats for residents.  Let me try to find his explanation, stand by

[Bango skank]

Okay, copy paste time.  First i have to say im stuck in a stupid bar in north bend cause the pass is closed so im drinking a lot cause i cant get home.  I think he explained it better, but this is the best i could find.  t is true and it does keep the non resident apps down to certain point (those a credit card with a high limit is commonly used), but that doesn't matter because you are fighting residents in the draw and it is all about pulling a low draw number.

In all Units but 1-1 (max 5 tags), 1-2 (max 2 tags), 2 (max 2 Tags), 4 (max 2 tags), and 6 (max 2 tags) there are only a maximum of 1 tag available to non residents.

[idaho guy]

How did you do on the hunt? non res are limited to 10% of the tags so looks like bangos numbers are right.

[cem3434]

How did you do on the hunt? non res are limited to 10% of the tags so looks like bangos numbers are right.

The hunt was great, but my best friend and hunting partner ended up passing away in a freak boating accident in June.  He and I had put in for tags in Idaho together like we did in many other states, so I contemplated eating the tag and just waiting 5 years to draw again.  After talking it over with my wife, my cousin and other buddy, I decided it would be best to honor him because he was a hunting fool and go on the hunt with the others that I typically enjoy spending time with in hunting camp. 
I hunted 12 days with my wife and buddy and used up the last of my vacation. My cousin had to leave after 5 days, but we all had a great time together and we met a couple of really nice locals that were more than willing to share information.  We seen +/-15 bulls in the couple of drainages that I hunted, but most were 30" to 36" wide.  One other tag hold shot one of the bulls I was after, which went 43" wide and had double drops.  I chased around another bull that was pushing 50" and seen him 6 times in 6 days, but could never get a shot under 600 yards and he was always moving.  On my last day, I ended up shooting an average meat bull in the same area the big bull was hanging around in at 2 in the afternoon at about 275 yards. I had passed on this same bull a couple of days prior after calling him over a 1/4 mile and within 40 yards of the road. I dropped him in his tracks about 1/2 mile from the road and finished packing him out around with my buddy and my wife around 2 AM listening to the wolves howl from the next ridge over. My bull ended up going 38" wide, but was had a decent body and I ended up with 316 pounds of boned out meat, which was the most important thing to me.
All and all, it was a great hunt and I would highly recommend it to anyone else who has the means to do it. If any other members draw 1-2 in the future, send me a PM and I will share some information with you. 

[idaho guy]

Thanks for the update I had the 1 week season tag for 1-2 in late November a few years ago and got a pretty nice one. Debating wether to put my son in for that unit this year or another. I ended up shooting my moose at 620 yards would rather he have at least the October short season so we could some calling. Sorry to hear about your buddy

[Gringo31]

Life has it's way of slapping a guy around.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  Perspective about what life is all about.....some never get.   

[Falcon]

How did you do on the hunt? non res are limited to 10% of the tags so looks like bangos numbers are right.

The hunt was great, but my best friend and hunting partner ended up passing away in a freak boating accident in June.  He and I had put in for tags in Idaho together like we did in many other states, so I contemplated eating the tag and just waiting 5 years to draw again.  After talking it over with my wife, my cousin and other buddy, I decided it would be best to honor him because he was a hunting fool and go on the hunt with the others that I typically enjoy spending time with in hunting camp. 
I hunted 12 days with my wife and buddy and used up the last of my vacation. My cousin had to leave after 5 days, but we all had a great time together and we met a couple of really nice locals that were more than willing to share information.  We seen +/-15 bulls in the couple of drainages that I hunted, but most were 30" to 36" wide.  One other tag hold shot one of the bulls I was after, which went 43" wide and had double drops.  I chased around another bull that was pushing 50" and seen him 6 times in 6 days, but could never get a shot under 600 yards and he was always moving.  On my last day, I ended up shooting an average meat bull in the same area the big bull was hanging around in at 2 in the afternoon at about 275 yards. I had passed on this same bull a couple of days prior after calling him over a 1/4 mile and within 40 yards of the road. I dropped him in his tracks about 1/2 mile from the road and finished packing him out around with my buddy and my wife around 2 AM listening to the wolves howl from the next ridge over. My bull ended up going 38" wide, but was had a decent body and I ended up with 316 pounds of boned out meat, which was the most important thing to me.
All and all, it was a great hunt and I would highly recommend it to anyone else who has the means to do it. If any other members draw 1-2 in the future, send me a PM and I will share some information with you.

Great post.  My deepest condolences for your friend.  Some things in life are more important than a one in a lifetime tag.  Great job on the hunt.  Those are good memories there👍

[cem3434]

Glad to see your hunt ended on a high note as well and you got to spend some quality time with your boys because that is what really matters at the end of the day. You harvested a very respectable bull and hopefully I have another opportunity in future to harvest a trophy like yours. 
I know it's never easy to loose a loved one, but it's definitely a lot harder to deal with when you loose someone who was only 35 and in their prime. I considered him a brother to me, but I know he would have wanted me to not dwell on him being gone. He and I had a lot of great times over the 20+ years that we were friends and most of my memories with him have to do with our hunting and fishing excursions.
I didn't shoot a trophy class bull, but I have no regrets because I realized through this tragedy that we are never guaranteed tomorrow. A lot of hunters go their entire life without having the opportunity to hunt an OIL animal, so I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity. Thanks to all of the members that helped me along the way because this hunt probably meant more to me than any other hunt I have ever been a part of.