Beginning ID Non-Resident Deer/Elk

[Fl0und3rz]

This will be my first year looking into hunting in ID as a non-resident.  I don't want anyone's honey holes. 

I would want to hunt public land, even if the odds are somewhat less than the prized areas, especially to avoid crowds.  And I would be purchasing OTC tags, if it is going to happen this year.


That said, any tips for a public land, OTC, non-resident ID noob is appreciated.  Maps recommendations are also appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

[greenhead_killer]

My dad and I will be over late November unit 1 for wt rut. We have never hunted the area but I don’t think it will be w problem. We haven’t been back in almost ten years. Should be a hoot. If I were you, figure out what you want to hunt, gear type and terrain type. All kinds of options. Should help narrow the areas down for you. Don’t wait too long too, Idaho seems to sell out fairly early with nr tags

[Fl0und3rz]

Yeah, I looked at tags, and lots are sold out. No problem not getting a tag this year.  I am more interested in getting to know an area to enjoy with the family, and hunting in the fall would be a bonus.

I think I have to really start looking at maps.

[Taco280AI]

There's unit 39 with about 10,000 other people, but I'd avoid that whole area. Too close to Boise, too easy for everyone for a quick drive.

[jstone]

I was in unit 39 last year. The farthest point and only ran into 3 people opening week. Saw camps close to the paved road.

[WildBear]

Elk or Deer? Got the email tags are selling “fast” as they have a limit on out of state tags. My first year too. Going A tag for Elk. Picked a zone with ample public land. Decent success rate compared to WA and Terrain I want to hunt. That’s was my start. Just been scouring maps now

[Fl0und3rz]

I am at the looking at maps stage and figuring out all the zones.

[7mmfan]

Their hunt planner on the IDFG website is an amazing resource. Use it to view success rates in various units or regions. Use Google earth, Onxmaps,  and the National Forest trail/road maps to ID terrain you might like to hunt and then the roads and trails that access it.

I spent almost a year planning my first Idaho hunt and this will be our 5th year going back. That was pretty much process and then it took a few years of feet on the ground to fine tune it.

[bkaech]

Just pick an area that you can 1, get tags for that you want to hunt, and 2 has the type of terrain you want to hunt....do you want more open sage, thick forest, big mountains...? Finding public land and space to hunt away from crowds isn't too difficult if you are use to WA rifle seasons. Pick a spot from looking at maps and just go.... places to camp and hunt are easy, lots of public land.

[Fl0und3rz]

Nice. Realistically, I won't get exactly what I am looking for, this year. Thanks for the tip on the hunt planner. And I'm fine spending a few years getting to know an area.  That's the hunting part.

[ridgefire]

Archery, muzzy or rifle?

[Fl0und3rz]

Sorry.  Rifle in the near term.

[Fl0und3rz]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good source for ID paper maps?  Google maps/earth is OK for at the computer, but I am looking for something usable in the field, preferably non-electronic.

Thank you.

[Buckblaster]

If you choose to hunt on federal land, contact USFS or BLM and they will send you maps for a small fee.

[WapitiTalk1]

Fl0und3rz, I recommend for you to get USGS Quads for the areas you're gonna scout/hunt (1:24000; 7.5 MIN). You can locate them by digging around the USGS site - https://www.usgs.gov.  You may either order a hard copy, semi-waterproof map (prices range but around 15 bones per map), or, you can also download a free PDF of the same QUAD, print it out in about 9 pages on a normal printer, tape em together for a hard copy map.  The other map that I always like to get for a new area is a USFS Ranger District map; they are great for showing gated roads (gate locations), which trails are motorized (bike or quad), and even which roads are seasonal.  Hope this helps you on your journey