help with idaho jumping off point

[harveymarv]

Hey Folks,

Thinking of going to Idaho for elk next year. Wife's going to have baby #2 in May, and so thinking I need to spend less, more productive time huntin for a year or few.

I'm looking for a jumping off point to start scouting this spring. I like to bike in with a trailer and camp 5-10 miles from the gate, looking at A tags. I don't like to run into ATV's or other folks and am willing to put in some work to that end.

Can anyone help me out with some general areas to start looking 2 hrs or so from Spokane? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Elknut1]

You need to scout areas out within your 2-3 hour limit form your home, there should be several areas that may suit you. Talk with Forestry in your area about locked gates in Sept. Many areas do not lock gates for archery, find the ones that do lock them & it can narrow down your search! Preparation & scouting is part of the hunt! (grin)

  ElkNut1

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

That type of hunting 2 hours from Spokane will not be productive.  Lots of roads in this neck of the woods.  And lots of hunters.

[Jonathan_S]

What zone? Big difference if you live in Pullman, Ellensburg, Spokane or Newport

[Magnum_Willys]

Not as many roads with gates in middle idaho - more trailheads instead and finding a bikeable trail not so easy. 

[Jonathan_S]

Sorry just saw Spokane. Most guys that have cherished gated roads are going to play it close to the best but the good news is, you have all summer!

[BULLBLASTER]

Don't get stuck into thinking that you have to be miles and miles in to get into good elk hunting. It can be had closer to the roads

[boneaddict]

    Extremely good advice, especially panhandle

[harveymarv]

thanks for the advice!! i know several (mostly deer) places where animals can be had close to roads but still prefer to hike a few miles in - i like solitude when hunting. nothing sucks worse in my mind than having your peace and quiet broken by engine noise...

narrowing my search to panhandle and maybe palouse. thanks for the help guys!

[kball4]

Everyone who hunts in Idaho has a ATV it seems, and even if the road is gated or considered closed someone will eventually drive around the gate.

[Magnum_Willys]

Everyone who hunts in Idaho has a ATV it seems, and even if the road is gated or considered closed someone will eventually drive around the gate.

[coop2424]

Don't get stuck into thinking that you have to be miles and miles in to get into good elk hunting. It can be had closer to the roads

If there was elk in the area!  Great advice and I can tell you that the elk are use to places where there is heavy traffic.   Tough country with the under brush and it either being straight up or straight down.

[huntnnw]

I have a honey hole you can drive a car to and  I hunt 100-200 yards from a main road as everybody drives by. There are some big areas near the MT border with no quad trails. Look into areas north and east of Avery that has some big country and few quad trails.

[Jonathan_S]

I have a honey hole you can drive a car to and  I hunt 100-200 yards from a main road as everybody drives by. There are some big areas near the MT border with no quad trails. Look into areas north and east of Avery that has some big country and few quad trails.

This year I was inches away from shot on a 6x6 in Idaho. I was maybe 300 yards from a main road and had multiple rigs drive by during the stalk. He was vocal as heck too!

Good news is I think I educated him so hopefully nobody else killed him 

[huntnnw]