Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: tonymoe on August 29, 2017, 07:44:23 AM

Title: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: tonymoe on August 29, 2017, 07:44:23 AM: I'm usually the one helping others on this site, I'm hoping someone that I've helped in the past could lend a little info on the smoky Bennett zone units 43 and 48 in Idaho. Long story short….... at the last minute my partner and I have decided to pull up shop out of Washington and head to Idaho next weekend for archery elk. We've been hammering maps and Google earth for the last 48 hours and are concentrating on units 43 and 48.
This is completely out of the norm for us to go in blind with this little notice, I'm hoping some folks on here have some past experience and I appreciate any info I can get.

Thanks
Title: Re: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on August 29, 2017, 08:22:49 AM: I have never set foot in those areas, but generally there are good populations of elk all over. Only way to find them is to go hunting. Have you been there before or did you get some recommendation to go to those units? You will probably figure out a lot on that trip about the area and the hunting pressure. My suggestion is to be mobile and look for fresh sign.
Title: Re: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: theleo on August 29, 2017, 08:43:32 AM: I play on the other side of the highway from 48. I only have general info, so it kind of depends on what your questions are.
Title: Re: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: Fullabull on August 29, 2017, 08:15:29 PM: I hunted Idaho a few years ago and going back again this year. Not your units but got responses every day unlike here. Just get to know the area and I'm sure you'll do fine and have a blast. Google earth is your friend.
Title: Re: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: Bucks2Ducks on August 29, 2017, 09:33:57 PM: It's steep big country! Weather can change fast, woke up to snow in the middle of Sep when I went a couple years ago. A lot of the trails are open to orv, and even if there not you will still see people running them. Beautifull country with some beautifull bulls, but I never found a real high concentration of elk. You will be working the thermals to try and get on them, and unless you live at 8k ft it will take a couple days to acclimate. Good luck.
Title: Re: Idaho Elk help?
Post by: tonymoe on August 30, 2017, 05:16:06 PM: Thanks, I'm not afraid of putting boots on the ground. And I plan on starting high for summer migration. I just got done hunting for archery lopes at 9500', so yea, I'm aware of the altitude. Just hoping they'll be talking, it'll help when I don't know the area