Idaho unit 26 and 27 advice

[_TONY_]

Hey All-

Needing a little advice from those of you that have hunted unit 26, 27 or both. I have my first child on the way in March and that means that I really have to buckle down and choose only one deer hunt (I know I'm lucky to still have one!) this year. The plan as of right now is to apply for a couple out of state hunts, and use one of these two units as a fall back plan for a November hunt. Can't swing the fly in air charters, so will be going in by foot. My question is, if you had to choose one of these units, which would you choose and why? I'm not looking for anything for the record books, would just be happy with an opportunity at a mature buck. Looking at the stats for each, 26 in less busy than 27 and they both have relatively the same success rates.

Any advise given is greatly appreciated and pm's are welcomed.

Thanks!
Tony

[Pathfinder101]

Tony,
I am looking into Idaho too for next fall.  Wondering why 26/27?  Is this due to the OTC November rut hunt?  I looked at these units too, but while a lot of Idaho has begun to recover from the wolves, it sounds (to me anyway) like those units have not.  Wondering if someone pointed you in that direction, or if you selected those units based on hunt date availability? 

[_TONY_]

Tony,
I am looking into Idaho too for next fall.  Wondering why 26/27?  Is this due to the OTC November rut hunt?  I looked at these units too, but while a lot of Idaho has begun to recover from the wolves, it sounds (to me anyway) like those units have not.  Wondering if someone pointed you in that direction, or if you selected those units based on hunt date availability?

There is a few deciding factors in my narrowing down to these two units. First being time of year (rut) second being remoteness, and third being that the herd is predominantly migratory.

Speaking in terms of only stats, both these units have a higher success and point ratio than others, with a relatively low hunter count. These are stats I like.

I'm still curious to see how the winter kill % shakes out this spring, due to this rough winter. As far as wolf predation, I don't think you would see success percentages like that if the herd was entirely on the ropes.

Tony

[Pathfinder101]

Well, the wolves was actually the reason that I asked you if anyone referred you to the unit.  Years ago (about 2003 I think) I ran into a retire wolf biologist from Alaska.  We got to talking and I asked him what we could expect when the wolves arrive.  To make a long story short, he said they will show up and populate slowly.  Then they will over populate.  Then they will eat everything.  Then the wolf numbers will start to reduce through starvation and wolf-on-wolf violence.  Then he said the deer and elk numbers will begin to recover and there will be stable populations of ungulates and wolves that everyone will learn to live with.  He said from introduction to the beginning of the recovery takes approximately 15 years.  I have noticed Idaho's numbers getting better the last two years and that seems to correlate with what this biologist told me.  I am wondering if 26 and 27 are starting their "recovery".  The thing is that usually, reliable stats are at least a year behind, so I was wondering if you had heard something.

He also said that bad winters are the monkey-wrench in a recovery.  Obviously, hard winters are bad for deer/elk and good for predators... meaning that more pups will be born in the spring, they will grow up and need to eat next year..etc...

[go4steelhd]

This will be my third major winter die off while hunting Idaho. In 1992 I seen 21 bucks opening morning. Then the winter kill. In 93 I seen 3 bucks the whole next season in the same area. In 2004 I was seeing 20 or 30 deer a walk. In 2005 I seen 3 bucks and a doe opening afternoon. The next deer I seen was on day 8. I will be hunting deer this fall regardless; but if I was only doing one hunt. It would not be for deer this year

[Pathfinder101]

Well, it was down for a few days, but the IDFG Map Center/Hunt Planner's fire maps are working again.  I looked at 26 and 27 and I see that there was a good burn in 27 a few years ago that should be prime habitat (the southern end).  I think I would be looking there.  Actually, I was looking at Unit 36 (the north end) that looks like it is part of the same burn. 
I fear that go4steelhead is right though.  If the winter continues the way it has, this may be a better year to concentrate on elk...

[huntnnw]

it was about 3 winters ago they paid a trapper in the Church to kill a whole pack.. he killed everyone of them.

[Pathfinder101]

it was about 3 winters ago they paid a trapper in the Church to kill a whole pack.. he killed everyone of them.

Yeah, found this story.  Looks like it was 2 packs (9 wolves total).

http://missoulian.com/news/local/professional-hunter-eliminated-wolf-packs-in-frank-church-wilderness/article_579c30a8-8901-11e3-9949-0019bb2963f4.html

[Mr Mykiss]

With the effort that you'd be putting in packing into the church you could escape people in every other unit in Idaho...with less effort

[_TONY_]

Well, it was down for a few days, but the IDFG Map Center/Hunt Planner's fire maps are working again.  I looked at 26 and 27 and I see that there was a good burn in 27 a few years ago that should be prime habitat (the southern end).  I think I would be looking there.  Actually, I was looking at Unit 36 (the north end) that looks like it is part of the same burn. 
I fear that go4steelhead is right though.  If the winter continues the way it has, this may be a better year to concentrate on elk...

I had a pretty hard look at 36 as well, and still inst entirely out of the cards.

I've been talking with a few guys that guided the Frank and going into 26 from the Middle Fork side may have been a little too ambitious of me. If not drawn in other states, I may focus my efforts into 20A, and hunt the lower breaks. 

In regards to the winter kill, the jury is still out for me.I really want to talk to the Bio this spring and see what their findings are.

[_TONY_]

With the effort that you'd be putting in packing into the church you could escape people in every other unit in Idaho...with less effort

Man, I wish this were true

[Pathfinder101]

With the effort that you'd be putting in packing into the church you could escape people in every other unit in Idaho...with less effort

Where would you concentrate your research?  (That's my polite, serious yet thoughtful look on my face way of asking "Don't want to ask for any honey-holes, but....)

 

[Mr Mykiss]

I'm just saying that going 5 or 6 miles into the frank is the equivalent of going 10 into almost any other unit in da ho.
I'd concemtrate on anywhere there aren't roads and ATV networks... it's true, you get away from roads, you'll get away from people.
19, 19A, 20, 20A, 21, 28, 30 in that area will all be in the same ballpark as those wilderness units. A few.of those even fit the bull for the Nov hunt.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I'm just saying that going 5 or 6 miles into the frank is the equivalent of going 10 into almost any other unit in da ho.
I'd concemtrate on anywhere there aren't roads and ATV networks... it's true, you get away from roads, you'll get away from people.
19, 19A, 20, 20A, 21, 28, 30 in that area will all be in the same ballpark as those wilderness units. A few.of those even fit the bull for the Nov hunt.

That is a true statement.  There is a certain aura around the Church that since it is so remote, that automatically increases the population of animals.  I do not believe that is the case.  You will have a very similar chance of being successful in any of the above mentioned units and you can get away from people as well.  That being said, it is hard to resist the urge to go into the Church.  There is something mythical about that country.  Go hunt where you want to and have fun! 

[BeerBugler]

If your dead set on hunting the church...fly in. It's the only way to get the whole experience. Not saying you'll shoot a big buck/bull but, you will have an experience. There's a lot better places to hunt but you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to spend a week or two. The cost of the air charter ($350) is not much compared to thee other expenses involved in an out of state hunt.