Post by: BIGMIKE on January 24, 2019, 01:39:56 PM
Post by: lewy on January 24, 2019, 02:02:02 PM
Post by: idahohuntr on January 24, 2019, 02:19:12 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on January 24, 2019, 02:29:04 PM
I've hunted the frank for elk/deer/bear/wolf, I would recommend looking else were for elk. The deer hunting can still be good in Nov. If your looking for an experience and some incredible country, that it is
agreed with this. We went in two years ago and saw lots of deer and good bucks but elk were scarce. Had wolf shat about 25 yards from where we set camp
Post by: lewy on January 24, 2019, 02:41:32 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 24, 2019, 02:58:19 PM
USFS was sued by environmental groups for using a helicopter in the FC to collar wolves and deer for a study, the court even ordered the destruction of the data they had already obtained. Idaho Fish & Wildlife can no longer pay professional wolf hunters/trappers operating in the wilderness either.
No relief coming any time soon.
Post by: KFhunter on January 24, 2019, 03:14:26 PM
Numerous wilderness units are producing lower harvest than historic high numbers - in part because of predation. However, I'm not aware of any major reductions in seasons/opportunities. I think NR tags were cut for late season deer hunts in the Frank Church, but that seemed like *R's getting tired of being overrun by *NR's?? Elk harvest rates are pretty comparable to non wilderness units...somewhere in the 15-25% range...pretty normal for OTC units IMO. But yes, they are at a low compared to what they were historically.
Its worth noting - those wilderness units are one of the only remaining elk hunts in the world where you can buy a tag OTC and go hunt elk with a rifle during the rut...you won't ever see seasons or opportunities like that in heavily motorized access areas...so not sure its fair to say opportunity is less relative to non-wilderness units. I'd say its probably more opportunity, but its not as good as some of the old days of the 60's-80's. Different baselines.
Overall, yes, Idaho is experiencing tremendous deer/elk harvest...I think the winter of '16 '17 has been the only real downward pressure on those harvests of late.
Thankyou, I just want to emphasize again, the increased herds and success is in the accessible units and the decreased herds and success is in wilderness units.
I operate in some Idaho units that are fairly accessible, it's a mix of motorized access and non-motorized backcountry, with access very similar to the Kettle Crest and Abercrombie areas in Washington. As you know Idaho flies units about every 5 years to do herd counts, our elk herd has grown by nearly 40% from the previous survey to the most recent survey. Perhaps I am wrong, but I attribute the gains to excellent habitat created by USFS treating maple thickets to benefit aspen and sage growth and the access for ranchers and predator hunters to be effective at taking cougar, wolves, and coyotes . We don't have many bear in the area I'm referring to and wolves have never been able to take off either, the sheep and cattle ranchers are pretty effective whenever they have livestock losses. What stands out is that most of these effective actions that help elk and deer herds could not occur in wilderness.
*
R's = Resident hunters
NR's = non-Residents
Post by: KFhunter on January 24, 2019, 03:18:15 PM
Post by: BIGMIKE on January 24, 2019, 09:14:25 PM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on January 28, 2019, 07:42:40 AM
Grade
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 28, 2019, 08:03:11 AM
Post by: tgray on January 28, 2019, 10:21:19 AM
Give George Doris of G&S Aviation a call. He flies out of Cascade (and is the guy who dropped those guys into Cold Meadows/Chamberlin Basin area for their "death hike" that they did a podcast on). I have flown with George several times, and before that I flew with his brother and dad since 1991 when they owned McCall Air. Cold Meadows is aptly named, be sure to take the right gear!+1 for George, I have flown in a couple times with him
Grade
Post by: Johnny Doe on January 28, 2019, 10:26:41 AM
Like the others suggested, I would look elsewhere for elk.
Post by: huntnnw on January 28, 2019, 11:24:00 PM
Post by: fisheral87 on February 16, 2019, 06:44:37 AM
Pm me and I’ll send you my number.
Al
Post by: whuppinstick on February 16, 2019, 11:28:03 AM
I guided in the Frank and hunted there twice and I now spend my hunting time elsewhere.
Post by: Mr Mykiss on February 24, 2019, 10:08:33 PM
Post by: zwickeyman on February 25, 2019, 05:08:09 AM
Chamberlain Basin used to be amazing before the Wolf introduction. I don't think it will ever fully recover
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 25, 2019, 05:09:17 AM
I guided in the Frank and hunted there twice and I now spend my hunting time elsewhere.Else where as in?
Post by: Roosevelt on February 25, 2019, 09:51:50 AM
Here is a link to a video some of my friends made hunting Mule Deer in the Frank. It's not elk, but a great video and of the same area.
Post by: Mr Mykiss on February 25, 2019, 10:37:46 AM
Post by: eliandsky on February 25, 2019, 09:23:12 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk