Idaho Elk City Zone & Unit 1

[VickGar]

Hello everyone,

I am super excited to be able to hold an Elk and Deer tag for Idaho. I was not able to get any of my first choices but I did get an Elk City B tag and Unit 1 deer tag. Both are rifle tags. 

This will be my first venture out of Washington, I do travel to Idaho for work every year since my employer is based in Idaho and I will be going on the occasional camping trip with the family to do some scouting trips and set trail cams.

Looking to network with someone that shares the same tags, it would be cool to share trail cam pictures and any scouting trip info with someone that has the same tags. If anyone is willing to share some insight on these units I’d really appreciate it. Feel free to sent me a message.

Cheers!

[Fidelk]

Hunted elk/deer east of Elk City about 15 years ago in September (it snowed a bit)......there is a dirt/gravel road (Magruder Trail?) that runs all the way to Darby, MT. We camped in USFS campground (Poet's Creek?). Close to a large wilderness area (Frank Church?). Great looking country. One problem, the wolves had run the elk off. Saw a few nice whitetails. No idea of current conditions.

[versydus]

Whitetail or general deer for unit 1?

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[VickGar]

Whitetail or general deer for unit 1?

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Hey versydus, I have a general deer for unit 1.

[versydus]

I'll send you a pm

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[WapitiTalk1]

Hunted elk/deer east of Elk City about 15 years ago in September (it snowed a bit)......there is a dirt/gravel road (Magruder Trail?) that runs all the way to Darby, MT. We camped in USFS campground (Poet's Creek?). Close to a large wilderness area (Frank Church?). Great looking country. One problem, the wolves had run the elk off. Saw a few nice whitetails. No idea of current conditions.

Did the same (for elk) 7? years ago. It is not a very good tag. Hunted HARD for almost two weeks in that general area with two pack in camps, 4+ miles in. Mid hunt, went to elk city to resupply a bit and talked to an old codger at the burger joint. He was on site and watched the release of the first breeding pairs of Canadian wolves off the mcgruder road; he watched from a distance but could hear the whooping and hollering from the “releasers”. Here’s all u need to know, that area is ground zero for wolf introduction. Pre wolf herd of 17K in the Selway down to 2K. Nuff said.

[VickGar]

I'll send you a pm

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Right on man, much appreciated!

[TeacherMan]

I’d be focused on the unit 1 deer hunt. Definitely elk in your area but it’s not easy hunting. As for unit 1 deer, I’d focus on mule deer north of Priest Lake. Gorgeous country.

[VickGar]

I’d be focused on the unit 1 deer hunt. Definitely elk in your area but it’s not easy hunting. As for unit 1 deer, I’d focus on mule deer north of Priest Lake. Gorgeous country.

Thanks for the insight TeacherMan, I spent this past season archery hunting and getting within shooting range of some solid 4x4 mule deer. Unfortunately didn't have any clear shots to send an arrow. With it being my first out of state hunt I wont be super picky. Id thinking of a 5+ day hunt. If I can set my eyes on a nice whitetail or mule deer I wont hesitate. 

[boneaddict]

It might take you more than 5 days.  There aren't a lot of deer there but there is some serious quality.   Very high predator to prey ratio, including those with humps.  Be careful! 

[VickGar]

It might take you more than 5 days.  There aren't a lot of deer there but there is some serious quality.   Very high predator to prey ratio, including those with humps.  Be careful!

Thanks boneaddict!
Yes I’ve been doing as much research on here ,  GoHunt and the Idaho fish and game website. I’m hoping to stay closer to 10 days. I hope the scouting trips with and cell cams with help to get dialed into an area.

[Bigfoot28]

I’m in the same boat with an Elk City B tag and unit 15 white tailed deer tag. From talking to people that hunted it last year, it sounds like it was tough sledding for elk from their experience. A lot of wolf impact in that zone. I’m happy to PM you with information from what I’ve gathered.

[raydog]

Are you targeting mulies or whitetail in unit 1?

[ganghis]

I had those exact tags two years ago and shot a 5x5 elk and a little whitetail buck in unit 1 (2 different trips). 

The unit 1 tag was nice because you can hunt it close to the rut.  I probably should have held out for something bigger but it was pretty cold that year and I was pretty burnt out at the end of the season.  Lots of cuts to hunt on the E side of Priest Lake, but I didn't explore the area too thoroughly.

The bio for elk city unit was really helpful to talk to - I definitely saw elk where he told me they would be, but there was a lot of pressure there too (I was in unit 14).  I ultimately ended up having success backpacking into the Gospel Hump wilderness, though it took me 4 days to pack the meat out.  There were some guys with llamas back there, but too many blowdowns for horses/mules.  If you hunt 14, make sure you're familiar with their CWD regs.

[VickGar]

I’m in the same boat with an Elk City B tag and unit 15 white tailed deer tag. From talking to people that hunted it last year, it sounds like it was tough sledding for elk from their experience. A lot of wolf impact in that zone. I’m happy to PM you with information from what I’ve gathered.

Feel free to shoot me a message. I’d be willing to share info of scouting trips and trail cam info. Anything to help someone else in my same situation.

[VickGar]

Are you targeting mulies or whitetail in unit 1?

I don’t discriminate, I’ll take either!

[VickGar]

I had those exact tags two years ago and shot a 5x5 elk and a little whitetail buck in unit 1 (2 different trips). 

The unit 1 tag was nice because you can hunt it close to the rut.  I probably should have held out for something bigger but it was pretty cold that year and I was pretty burnt out at the end of the season.  Lots of cuts to hunt on the E side of Priest Lake, but I didn't explore the area too thoroughly.

The bio for elk city unit was really helpful to talk to - I definitely saw elk where he told me they would be, but there was a lot of pressure there too (I was in unit 14).  I ultimately ended up having success backpacking into the Gospel Hump wilderness, though it took me 4 days to pack the meat out.  There were some guys with llamas back there, but too many blowdowns for horses/mules.  If you hunt 14, make sure you're familiar with their CWD regs.

Thanks for the insight ganghis. I will make sure to contact the bio as well to see what advice he can give. How many scouting trips do you make up there? Or did you know the area prior?
I am focusing on 14 as my primary unit.

[ganghis]

Just e-scouting.  I get the sense that there are locals who know where the elk hang out, so there's quite a bit of shooting on opening day in areas close to roads.  So if those are areas you're interested in, it would pay to get there a few days early so you can hopefully get on some and be in position on opening morning.  One nice thing about 14 is that there isn't any archery before rifle season so elk aren't too pressured yet.  Don't expect a lot of it, but the bull I shot actually was still bugling in mid-Oct and bulls were still pushing cows.

[Bigfoot28]

I’m in the same boat with an Elk City B tag and unit 15 white tailed deer tag. From talking to people that hunted it last year, it sounds like it was tough sledding for elk from their experience. A lot of wolf impact in that zone. I’m happy to PM you with information from what I’ve gathered.

Feel free to shoot me a message. I’d be willing to share info of scouting trips and trail cam info. Anything to help someone else in my same situation.

Sent ya a PM

[leonpeon2]

for unit 1 buy a wolf tag. was out there last year and saw more wolfs than bucks. the wolfs were very skiddish, never able to get a shot. once i got out of the truck they were gone.

[VickGar]

for unit 1 buy a wolf tag. was out there last year and saw more wolfs than bucks. the wolfs were very skiddish, never able to get a shot. once i got out of the truck they were gone.

I’ll definitely be getting one just in case!