Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: oneezreiter on January 22, 2009, 07:20:31 PM
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Have any of you hunted Idaho? If so I would be greatfull if you could through some pointers my way on how I might be able to put together a hunt. I looked at the Idaho dfw website and the way I read it is that the tags are over the counter, which would make the planing a little easier. Thank you in advance for any pointers and advice.
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They are over the counter, but many of them have limits on how many they will sell and they can sell quick. Many of the elk tags are gone quick. Hunting Idaho is a lot like washington only much better with big animals and few people. That's why I have a lifetime license for Idaho.
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to many wolves, stay far, far away ;)
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I like Idaho, however the wolf population has exploded in the last 5 years. I hunted unit 6 in 2005, 2006, and 2008. I can tell you that there used to be a lot of elk, but the population is way down, because of the wolves. The elk don't pattern like they do on Weyerhauser ground. There is a lot more feed in the timber in Idaho, so the deer and Elk don't leave the timber to hang out in the clear cuts like they do in Washington. At least during rifle season. During Archery they are out in the open more frequently.
This last year I hunted a combination of Deer and Elk for 20 days and got skunked. Units 6 & 7 is where I spent all of my time. From research that I have done post season, it appears that the wolf population isn't near as strong farther north. So, if I don't get drawn in Mt, I will be hunting the units north of I-90. Be prepared for the panhandle of Idaho to be very brushy, so if you are looking for open ground - the panhandle is not the place for you.
The season are long, so the opportunity to spend lots of time in the outdoors is great.
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Nice thing about ID, you can hunt elk for four months on the same tag and use a rifle, muzzleloader and bow. Panhandle is very steep and thick. I've had bulls screaming at me 30 yards awya and could only see feet and the tips of their antlers. But man what a rush!!!
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I am also getting fed up with Washington. I've been a Colockum hunter my whole life...and I'm just about done.
I'm looking to go into the Panhandle area of Idaho...(ARCHERY) units 2, 3, 4, 4a. Anyone have any good advice or areas of experience (PM me)
Or, advise to go somewhere better for a better archery experience.
Thanks
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Buy your tag early! as Pope said there is a quota and once they are gone that's it!
Get in shape
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi241.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff122%2Fmray30%2FIdahohunt2005009.jpg&hash=65668d9955654867df9561b780cce237ee45cba8)
and be ready to have Wolves screw with your hunt!
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That looks like familiar ground MRay. As far as Idaho go's, I'd have to agree with what everyones said so far.
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Idaho sucks, think I'll look for a house while I'm there ;)
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Not even close to how thick it is hunting NE Washington, I have hunted the Joe, pritchard,avery, kellogg and some spots on the montana line, its refreshing to get to the timber there, can actually walk and see compared to here.
The panhandle tag usually doesnt sell out till july or august.
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Thanks for all the info guys. Does anybody know if you can get the tags online or do you have to be in Idaho?
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yes, you can buy tags online - on Idaho Fish and Game web-site. Works really similar to Washington's online set up.
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the panhandle zone does not have a zone quota on tags, just the statewide non-res quota which was never met last year until they started selling them to the residents as second tags in august so youve still got time
