Idaho Unit 10A Whitetails

[TriggerMike]

I will be going to Idaho next month to hunt the week before Thanksgiving. Just wrapped up my Washington seasons so now I'm in full throttle mode for Idaho. I've never hunted out of state before but studied the harvest stats which led me to 10A. Is the unit a zoo with other hunters in the middle of November? I will be focusing on the different chunks of state land and national forest since I haven't gotten permission to hunt anything private but I was thinking about buying a Potlatch permit possibly as well. Also, I was eyeing both Pierce or Headquarters as my camp so I'd probably focus on the areas around those towns, but I'm open for any suggestions since I really have no idea where to start . Am I on the right track here with starting around those areas? What is access like? Is it alll walk-in or can you drive in to the state and federal land and be in decent hunting? Any tips or additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping I walk away from this year with a better understanding of the unit so that next year I can kick it into high gear, but obviously this years number 1 priority is still to fill my tag. I can trade elk wisdom in Central WA for anyone that may be inclined to help a guy out 

[3nails]

 Get the permit! You are on the right track. Compared to WA, very few hunters.

[Skyvalhunter]

Hey good luck over there, shoot straight and keep the wind in your face!!

[Sumpnneedskillin]

I was there this weekend.  It was busy but not WA busy and you could get away from people if you wanted.  A lot of the people use ATV/Side by side to get behind gates.  We walked in behind some gates, saw lots of sign, several does and heard about a half dozen shots.  It's still elk season so some of the people we were seeing were probably elk hunters.  Lots of trailers out dry camping too.

I'm also working on learning the area.  The guy I was with has family in Pierce so he was showing me around some while we were hunting.  Lots of stuff accessible by driving up and walking in and lots of stuff accessible by ATV. 

He said that the family told him that someone had killed a good sized wolf in the area last week. 

Him and a couple of guys I work with say that in about 2-3 weeks things will get crazy.  Also if you can hit it about during the first snowfall is another great time.

[trophyhunt]

We will be staying in a hotel in pierce, be prepared for really cold weather if your dry camping. You are on the right track, I will pm you when I can, it's already going to be crowded over there.

[TriggerMike]

Thanks for the replys everyone. I usually just hunt on foot but I can probably borrow a friends ATV if I need to. Would hauling the ATV over there really be worth it? Is there a map somewhere that shows which areas/roads are ATV/Walk-in only and which ones you can drive in with a truck?

[REHJWA]

Yes, I just got back from my trip and the atv  was nice to have. However I did not use it when I got my buck. Used it while scouting. The local forest service office will have free atv/ open roads maps.

[elkboy]

Don't forget Idaho Department of Lands ground!  And bring a grunt call and antlers- great time to be out there is about November 10 up through Thanksgiving, especially with a bit of a skiff of snow on the ground. 
 
Good luck! 

[elkslayer069]

Lots of atvs turns into a zoo the week you are going and the week of thanksgiving

[MTMule]

10a wasnt full of hunters late in November but by that time no deer were moving, including does because of the pressure. Saw two bucks cruising in 3 days and got one. Nothing special.

The permit is certainly worth it if you have an atv because 90% of it is atv only. Otherwise you're walking and someone could zip in behind you. But honestly I didn't see one truck parked at the many entries I saw.

Really not impressed with Idaho as some seem to be. You can kill any deer so the numbers are a little inflated. Washington is better for whitetail.

Saw more deer in unit 1, but way more hunters.

[MountainTracker]

I just got my tag/Lic yesterday.  Sounds like you have a good plan for the area.  I've never had an atv over there, however, all of my friends do.  I typically see way more deer than they do.  My experience is guys just ride the roads.  They're nice to have for the drag out.  I typically work the thicker stuff.  If you haven't read the thread by 3Nails on rattling WT yet, then I would suggest doing so.  That thread alone has helped me increase my encounters over there.  Good luck.  Come on Nov 16th.

[trophyhunt]

can you repost 3nails thread please?  Sounds interesting

[MountainTracker]

Here you go:   http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,101693.0.html

[trophyhunt]

Thanks!

[HookedOnQuack]

We will be staying in a hotel in pierce, be prepared for really cold weather if your dry camping. You are on the right track, I will pm you when I can, it's already going to be crowded over there.

When are you headed over trophy? My dad has been hunting the area for 20+ years and 2 years ago we bought a lot in town and built a cabin, so nice to be able to get back at night and shower and dry the clothes out quickly. I'll be headed over the 10th but man i hope the weather cools off by then. If you see a green chevy flag me down