Succesful, BUT, Done with Idaho

[actionshooter]

Back from Idaho and Montana after 2+ weeks of chasing deer. Our hunt in Idaho appears to be sliding downhill, could be the hunter not sure  
 In 8 days of hunting I saw more dead animals that live and at least as many wolf tracks as elk tracks.    (you put 2+2 together)
 On the first day I passed up a small 4x4 who had 5 does running with him. For the next 3 days I didn't see a critter. Saw a good buck on about the 4th day at about 800 yards and didn't have time to get closer, never saw him again.
 Deer were definatley rutting as the activity picked up a llittle, but nothing to speak of. On the 2nd to last day my buddy shot a small 3x4. On the last day I had pretty much thrown in the towel, but one of the guys pushed me out of the tent. I went up the hill where I passed up the 4pt the first day and the dummy was still there! Not feeling real picky at this point, I shot him at 420 yards in a burn.
 Not what I was looking for but better than going home with nothing.
 I considered the conditions near perfect, it was cold (the river was freezing) and there was 10-12" of snow at the top of the ridges and 2-3 at camp. I love this hunt and this area, but I think the wolves have won, not sure I'm going back.  

 For Montana my buddy and I bought a few over the counter B tags, filled them (yuummmyyyyy whitetails) and drove home. More driving than shooting (wasn't much like hunting)  
 Found a ton of speed goats, something I want to do next year  
 Then we cut up meat for 2 days  

[GoldTip]

Congrats, looks like some good eating.  I have to agree with you on the Idaho thing.  Have hunted the last three weekends (except this current one) and have seen one fair buck, and very few does to be honest.  I believe between the last two winters and the wolves, the deer have really taken a big hit.  My buddy silent Bob has only seen one doe during the same time frame.  Two years ago we were passing on average 3's and 4's by this time of year.  The number of animals I'm seeing, makes me wonder if I even should kill one next weekend if I get the chance.

[robb92]

Good pics and nice buck!!! Thanks for posting the pics!!!

[eastside boy]

Good buck...sorry to hear your hunt wasn't what it should have been.

[actionshooter]

Good buck...sorry to hear your hunt wasn't what it should have been.

Oh- all hunting is good, don't get me wrong. Just disapointed in what has happened to the game populations!

[Axle]

I've been hearing this story from many hunters since the cougars took over. All of my friends have stopped hunting Idaho because of this problem.

Now the wolves are finishing off what is left. Too bad the harvest statistics don't show the real harvest numbers.

[boneaddict]

Be sure to contact Idaho fish and game and let them know how you feel.  I sent them an email letting them know WHY I wasn't elk hunting or deer hunting in Idaho this year.

[actionshooter]

Be sure to contact Idaho fish and game and let them know how you feel.  I sent them an email letting them know WHY I wasn't elk hunting or deer hunting in Idaho this year.

We talked about that in camp, but they aren't behind the problem. I don't think they want this anymore than we do. I wonder if its a better idea to send that letter to the state gov.?

[Joe_Hunter]

I heard that...... I have a friend that just got done with a Idaho elk and deer hunt. He said that the elk have all but given up bugling because it;s like ringing the dinner bell with all the wolf's

Sad to see
What are they thinking reintroducing natures most proficient predator

[runamuk]

Be sure to contact Idaho fish and game and let them know how you feel.  I sent them an email letting them know WHY I wasn't elk hunting or deer hunting in Idaho this year.

We talked about that in camp, but they aren't behind the problem. I don't think they want this anymore than we do. I wonder if its a better idea to send that letter to the state gov.?

I would the governor of Idaho often writes back or calls

[sporked horn]

That's a bummer to hear what's happening to the game in Idaho.  There's too many people who don't let logic and science control the populations it's, emotions of people in city centers with contemt for country folk and the traditions of the west.

Dan

[billythekidrock]

Congrats on filling your tags..now if you guys can figure out the archery opener and fill them as well...lol

[actionshooter]

 Thanks Billy,
  I'm sure it will get figured out 

[haugenna]

What kind of tent are you using?  Looks like the bighorn. 

[actionshooter]

What kind of tent are you using?  Looks like the bighorn. 

close, Allagnak 12x20

[Pathfinder101]

I keep hearing the same thing... lots of wolves, no deer/elk.  Too bad, I was kicking around the idea of hunting there next year...
COngrats on your buck though.

[BOOM!!]

Too bad the harvest statistics don't show the real harvest numbers.

I also wonder why the stats appear to be normal. I just got back from hunting WT in unit 5 and it is quite obvious that the last 2 winters have hit the deer numbers hard. Yet the stats show everthing is fine. They wouldn't pad the numbers just to sell tags would they?

[actionshooter]

Actually the stats for the unit I was hunting took a DRASTIC fall for the 2008 season and I suspect this year will be worse. Also its not only the numbers of deer that have decreased it also seems to be a lack of mature animals (I know that seems strange)

[wolfbait]

Too bad the harvest statistics don't show the real harvest numbers.

I also wonder why the stats appear to be normal. I just got back from hunting WT in unit 5 and it is quite obvious that the last 2 winters have hit the deer numbers hard. Yet the stats show everthing is fine. They wouldn't pad the numbers just to sell tags would they?

Ask s.fitkin about numbers!

[Red Dawg]

 i noticed the same on our hunt their. number of mature animals is way down but predation is way up. overall numbers also seemed wat down. looks like you still had a good hunt congrats. we saw 1 wolf and a couple cats. that seems to be the growing trend.