Idaho 36-A in December

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Anyone spent time down there in December?  The developed campsites appear to be closed that time of year, so I am left with dispersed camping in the wall tent or rent a vrbo. Renting can get expensive real quick if I make multiple trips down.  Is tent camping a option that time of year down there? Or should I bite the bullet and rent?
Thanks in advance.

[teanawayslayer]

I’ve never hunted in 36 a. But there are plenty of places along the salmon river blm areas that have a toilet and such and good places to camp. Have you ever spent any time down there? If not I would suggest going down on a scouting trip the get the lay of the land and figure out out where you wanna camp.

[kselkhunter]

The federal campgrounds and sites typically close end of October. For private campgrounds there are a few in Challis to check out. For airbnb rooms Challis and Stanley have plenty of options. I was there the last week of December last year and there was quite a bit of snow and -8F temps.  So depends on when in December you go but plan for snow and cold. But I did see quite a few elk hanging out on the hills along 75 between Stanldey and Challis. Am assuming you have the antlerless elk tag. Should be a fun hunt. Lots of hot springs so bring swim trunks. Road access will be better earlier in December than late.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I’ve never hunted in 36 a. But there are plenty of places along the salmon river blm areas that have a toilet and such and good places to camp. Have you ever spent any time down there? If not I would suggest going down on a scouting trip the get the lay of the land and figure out out where you wanna camp.

During the summer years ago.  I know access changes a lot come winter time. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

The federal campgrounds and sites typically close end of October. For private campgrounds there are a few in Challis to check out. For airbnb rooms Challis and Stanley have plenty of options. I was there the last week of December last year and there was quite a bit of snow and -8F temps.  So depends on when in December you go but plan for snow and cold. But I did see quite a few elk hanging out on the hills along 75 between Stanldey and Challis. Am assuming you have the antlerless elk tag. Should be a fun hunt. Lots of hot springs so bring swim trunks. Road access will be better earlier in December than late.

I plan on being there for the Dec 1st opener.  I have the elk tag and my buddy has a whitetail tag. 

[kselkhunter]

Nice.  I saw quite a few deer closer to Challis.  And plenty of birds (was wishing I'd have brought my shotgun on that trip).  The snow should be less in the eastern part of the unit compared to the western.  Early December you might get lucky with less snow so better road access in most of the unit. 

[Fastass350]

I’ll be hunting the general season a little while I’m working down the east fork, starting in Sept. hit me up and I can tell ya what I know.
There is a BLM campground on the river 20 plus miles down the east fork, not sure if it closes, and one right at the junction of 75 and East Fork Rd, again not sure if it closes or not. I’ve camped on the road to Jimmy Smith lake, there’s a couple dispersed spots that are good