Idaho Hunting (Maps & Scouting)

[noobshooter]

I'm moving out to the Couer D' Alene area here shortly and I've been trying to figure out this elk hunting in the Panhandle area. I'd like to find some paper maps that are specific to hunting area's or GMU's but have been unsuccessful. I know we have them here in Wa. just curious if anyone might have some insight. I'd like to start putting in the time scouting but don't really have a starting point. Picked out a couple of area's (4,6,&7) just based off of success rates but have no ideas. Any help would be much appreciated in that direction as well.

[coop2424]

Really in the panhandle the more time you are in the woods the better.  The area is so large that you have to find a couple places that look good from the maps and then put in some serious boot time to find the elk and the lay of the land.  This will be my third year hunting ID and I keep on getting closer but still nothing.

 I picked a panhandle map up at the forest service office in couer d Alene for $10 I think and then used that with google maps for terrain.

[huntnnw]

  its huge those units..really what it boils down to is just hunting it and the exp over time will give you all u need in the future.

[Hillbilly270]

have you tried the hunt planner on idaho's fish and game website?

[noobshooter]

Awesome, thanks for the info guys Any ideas on where to start this "boot time"?? I was thinking area 6?? Open to anything though

[CAMPMEAT]

Go to the Forest Service office on Kathleen Ave and get their maps. It has the game unit numbers marked on them. That's what I did for my wolf hunt
this year.

[boneaddict]

You can go into Cabelas and print off all sorts of maps of areas that you are interested in.   

[noobshooter]

You can go into Cabelas and print off all sorts of maps of areas that you are interested in.

Really?? Awesome good to know. Thanks for all the info guys!!

[coop2424]

Awesome, thanks for the info guys Any ideas on where to start this "boot time"?? I was thinking area 6?? Open to anything though

I have been mainly going to 4 and 4a my theory is that it is closes to my house so easier to go to for a morning or afternoon hike.  Makes it so I can spend more time since full days are hard to come by.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Google earth was an invaluable tool for scouting the panhandle for me last year.  I found areas I liked and then went and checked them out during the summer to see if it was good. I talked with a biologist and she suggested some general areas in the units I was thinking of hunting and also told me some to stay away from.  I also chose the unit closer toe to get more time in the woods.  4 turned out To be successful for me last year, but don't get depressed when you go days without seeing elk even though you saw them scouting.  They are smart and know how to avoid people when the activity in the woods pics up.  Also stop in to local bars or restaurants, that provided me with a honey hole to go check out and it's where I was successful.  Loose lips are the best source of info.  ; )

[noobshooter]

Nice!! Thanks for the pointers, definitely have some sort of direction now!! You guys are awesome

[Chuethou_b18c5]

I hunted Idaho last year for the first time and was successful. There's a ton of country and lots of elk. You just have to burn some leather and find them. I bought the A tag and during archery season I had many close encounters, but just couldn't seal the deal because its super thick. Went back to a pocket during the any weapon season where I always ran into elk and sure enough they were there. A cow walks into about 20 yards, and 2-3 minutes later a bull pops up giving me a 45 yard shot with my 7mm SAUM. It's tough country, but well worth it. I noticed there were lots of road hunters, so if you can avoid that your chances will be better. Good luck with the maps, and good luck with the 2012 hunting season! I forgot to mention I hunted the bumble bee peak area. Lots of elk & wolves.

[Griz231]

REI has a deal where you can customize and print GMU's for WA, but not sure about ID. It's very cool if you just want part of a gmu or two overlapping, etc.

[dscubame]

Awesome, thanks for the info guys Any ideas on where to start this "boot time"?? I was thinking area 6?? Open to anything though

6 has been good to me but the last 2 years have been noticeably down in numbers and really affected by the wolf.  Get north of I-90 (like unit 4) and the wolf is much less of a problem.  My last year in 6 was last year going to figure out unit 4 like most everyone else I know.  And it is tough to think about learning a new area but that is a indication of just how bad 6 has become.