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Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: shanevg on February 07, 2009, 11:49:44 PM

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Title: Moose Hunting Idaho
Post by: shanevg on February 07, 2009, 11:49:44 PM

I was wondering if anyone here had any advice on moose hunting in Idaho. I know at least one of you (Bone) has been drawn for moose there, and hopefully some more of you may have some useful insight.

My brother-in-law lives in Boise.  He is really into hiking and such, but hasn't hunted anything more than birds before.  He really wants to try big game hunting, in particular moose hunting.  So I told him I would do some research on it.  I have been looking through past success and draw odds and have come up with a bunch of ideas.  Basically, we really want to get a moose, a trophy isn't our top priority.  He wants to apply first choice for a bull tag and if we got drawn he would definitely be hunting for a trophy with a week to 10-day time limit on the hunt.  The second choice he wants to be on a high-success cow tag that has a chance to actually be drawn with a second choice.  He also prefers the longer seasons of the southern part of the state over the shorter seasons in the panhandle. 

So based on my research a number of hunts look promising for high draw odds. For antlered moose we are looking at hunts 3050 (Unit 10-6), 3057 (Unit 12-2), 3069 (Unit 16-2), 3101 (Unit 62), 3103 (Unit 63), 3107 (Unit 66-1), 3114 (Unit 69-3), 3117 (Unit 71-2), 3122 (Unit 76-2) or 3125 (Unit 78).  For antlerless moose we are looking at 3135 (Unit 60A), 3137 (Unit 61-2), 3139 (Unit 62), 3141 (Unit 63), 3144 (Unit 65), 3148 (Unit 67-1), 3149 (Unit 67-2), 3154 (Unit 71-2), 3155 (Unit 75), 3157 (Unit 76-2), 3159 (Unit 77), or 3160 (Unit 78).

Basically, does anyone have any advice on one unit over another.  Which units if any have you guys hunted and seen moose in?  Does anyone have knowledge of any particular unit that they could point us in the right direction if drawn? 

Any advice is really appreciated!

Thanks!

Title: Re: Moose Hunting Idaho
Post by: boneaddict on February 08, 2009, 06:31:45 AM

The Dworshak or the 10 units have been absolutely hammered if not decimated by wolves.  Used to be one of the highest moose populations in the state if not the country.  It would be absolutely easy to draw a tag there as there are often leftover tags in that area for good reason.  There are quite a few moose in the 60's units and doubt you could go wrong if you draw there.  The population is less dense in the 70s along Soda Springs, but there are moose there as well.  All of those tend to be a bit more classic OPEN moose country as opposed to the Panhandle which is some thick tough stuff.

Title: Re: Moose Hunting Idaho
Post by: huntnphool on February 08, 2009, 12:27:03 PM

Pope scored over there a couple years ago, pretty nice one too.

Title: Re: Moose Hunting Idaho
Post by: popeshawnpaul on February 11, 2009, 01:09:30 AM

The 60's units are decimated by wolves also.  I would stick to the panhandle.  Can't go wrong in 1 or 2...  In 10, 12, and 17 you will probably need a guide for most of those areas.  If you have one or will hire a packer, go for it. 

Do it while you can like I did, you'll probably never get your chance in WA...