Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: XJcoug13 on February 26, 2018, 08:08:51 PM

Title: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: XJcoug13 on February 26, 2018, 08:08:51 PM: Looking at making the trip over to Idaho for a Elk archery hunt . Been doing some research on McCall (Unit 23) and Elk City Zones (Unit 15) which seem like good areas and the harvest statistics seem fairly consistent. I will have September 8-19th off for the WA elk season then have the last week of September off to make the trip over to Idaho. Not looking for any honey holes just curious to know what everyones experience is with those areas. What should i expect? Crowds? Atvs? Wolves? Weather? Are there other zones in Idaho I should consider? I might go solo or with my cousin depending on his vacation time and we will be day hiking or setting up a spike camp. I also plan on taking a scouting trip in the summer to get the lay of the land. Thanks guys, happy hunting!
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Mudman on February 26, 2018, 08:15:23 PM: Never been there but I suspect half of Wa will be hunting Id this year. Including me.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 26, 2018, 08:26:48 PM: I would suspect an area called Elk City would be great elk hunting.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Mudman on February 26, 2018, 08:32:43 PM: I bet wolves are 100%. Atvs 75%. Weather hot. Crowds?? Sure elk in there but wolves are too. As good as any area more or less. Avoid wolfy and who knows. I expect to find all the above but that's fine.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: XJcoug13 on February 26, 2018, 08:39:54 PM: Quote from: Mudman on February 26, 2018, 08:32:43 PM
I bet wolves are 100%. Atvs 75%. Weather hot. Crowds?? Sure elk in there but wolves are too. As good as any area more or less. Avoid wolfy and who knows. I expect to find all the above but that's fine.

I’m used to hunting Western WA..how much worse could it be? :chuckle:
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Bob33 on February 26, 2018, 10:13:39 PM: The first time you hunt a new area can be challenging. Go hunt, learn a new area, and have fun.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 27, 2018, 05:53:27 AM: Popular area.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 27, 2018, 06:09:55 AM: I’ve been to Elk City many times - the locals know of every elk taken - its big news. Scout it hard you have a chance. In general elk density is lower - sometimes much lower - than western washington. Closer towards Boise the wolf issue lessens.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: lord grizzly on February 27, 2018, 06:30:15 AM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on February 27, 2018, 06:09:55 AM
I’ve been to Elk City many times - the locals know of every elk taken - its big news. Scout it hard you have a chance. In general elk density is lower - sometimes much lower - than western washington. Closer towards Boise the wolf issue lessens.

Umm...how much time you spend over here? There’s wolves in the Boise foothills. You just have to learn to hunt with them. There all over the McCall zone too.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2018, 07:01:43 AM: Spent 17 days there last September never saw or heard a wolf.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2018, 07:03:31 AM: 17 days and only saw 9 elk maybe I'm a crappy elk hunter :dunno:
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Old Grizzly on February 27, 2018, 07:05:11 AM: Hey XJ, take the advice of Bob 33 and enjoy the experience.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: shmacker on February 27, 2018, 07:23:44 AM: My group spent two weeks over there in 2016. Two of us found elk and we harvested one, the other two never saw an elk. We all saw wolves, however. Either way the trip was a blast.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: XJcoug13 on February 27, 2018, 07:37:49 AM: Thanks for the help and words of advise guys. I'm going into this with no expectations at all, just looking to explore some new country,learn, and if I'm lucky, tag out.. I'm just at a point in my life where I have the $$$ to hunt out of state and enough vacation time to do it.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: chuck270 on February 27, 2018, 07:52:59 AM: PM sent.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: rasbo on February 27, 2018, 08:00:30 AM: Beware of tweakers in the elk city area, some beautiful country there, homework homework homework
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: lord grizzly on February 27, 2018, 08:07:34 AM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2018, 07:03:31 AM
17 days and only saw 9 elk maybe I'm a crappy elk hunter :dunno:

probably why you didn't see a wolf. there with the elk.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 27, 2018, 08:10:55 AM: Weather can be anything - this was Sept 21st last year and it was 90 the week before.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2018, 08:29:23 AM: Quote from: lord grizzly on February 27, 2018, 08:07:34 AM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2018, 07:03:31 AM
17 days and only saw 9 elk maybe I'm a crappy elk hunter :dunno:

probably why you didn't see a wolf. there with the elk.
never thought of that. Everyone told us to avoid wolves. We killed 2 bulls out of 4 hunters while we were there.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on February 27, 2018, 08:43:24 AM: Its getting more and more popular. Hunting NR out of state is a long term investment. Be prepared to spend a few years getting to know an area. Once hunting season shows up, that's when you know what an area is truly like. You will learn a ton those first few years about the area. If you are a good hunter, you can adapt on the fly and have a good chance at being successful. If you are not, it could be years before you get an elk.
Title: Re: McCall/Elk City Zones 2018
Post by: 180-GRAIN on March 01, 2018, 07:43:48 AM: I have hunted the area for 10 years now. Killed elk 50% of the time. They are scattered and tough to find until you learn the area. If your going for sure the first year may be bumpy so I suggest buying a deer tag as well. They are a lot easier to come by and it will be an added bonus if you don't find the elk.