Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 11:54:31 AM
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Post by: slowhand on January 04, 2020, 12:26:53 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 04, 2020, 12:32:07 PM
Ive hunted and killed elk in the Frank over the year's. Some luck was involved and a lot of work...it's also not what it used to be..get over there and spend a week hitting all the area's you can drive to. Get to know the area a little then roll the dice on a spot.
Also, the Frank makes peaches look flat...
Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 01:02:04 PM
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Post by: cbond3318 on January 04, 2020, 01:38:25 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 04, 2020, 01:57:30 PM
Elevation gain and loss in Washington is half of what it can be in the Frank. The only flat spots are the bottom and the tops. :chuckle:
Post by: actionshooter on January 04, 2020, 05:45:54 PM
Headed over in July to scout it out. You ever get back in the matheney or Quinault ridge? I know there is a lot of access, but steep also....should I expect more? Just to clarify, I’m 49 and have been hunting Washington since I was 12, not new to the game and definitely not arrogant to think I know it all. I’ve switched from high power elk, as the rules changed when I was gone in the army, and have mostly hunted EWA archery with a lot of success even considering it’s spike unless you draw the tag lol. There will definitely be miles put on. Thanks for your input! Are you aware of mapping available that shows access roads? It looked to me that unless coming from the south the 27 is flanked on either side by units that are in the frank, so you’d have to hike/bike through those just to make it in?What season are you going to hunt?
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Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 04, 2020, 05:54:09 PM
Post by: idahohuntr on January 04, 2020, 06:12:04 PM
Is McCall Zone sold out?No. It's not a capped zone, so only after the total nr quota is gone would it be unavailable.
Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 06:21:32 PM
Is McCall Zone sold out?No. It's not a capped zone, so only after the total nr quota is gone would it be unavailable.
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Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 06:22:01 PM
Is McCall Zone sold out?No. It's not a capped zone, so only after the total nr quota is gone would it be unavailable.
It sold out 12/15
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Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 06:22:32 PM
Headed over in July to scout it out. You ever get back in the matheney or Quinault ridge? I know there is a lot of access, but steep also....should I expect more? Just to clarify, I’m 49 and have been hunting Washington since I was 12, not new to the game and definitely not arrogant to think I know it all. I’ve switched from high power elk, as the rules changed when I was gone in the army, and have mostly hunted EWA archery with a lot of success even considering it’s spike unless you draw the tag lol. There will definitely be miles put on. Thanks for your input! Are you aware of mapping available that shows access roads? It looked to me that unless coming from the south the 27 is flanked on either side by units that are in the frank, so you’d have to hike/bike through those just to make it in?What season are you going to hunt?
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We are hunting 9/15-9/30
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Post by: 280ackley on January 04, 2020, 06:35:51 PM
Is McCall Zone sold out?
Nope, its not caped. Its apart of the general NR quota.
Post by: High Climber on January 04, 2020, 06:53:31 PM
To start off, I was very unfamiliar with how Idaho did purchasing for non residents. So we were late! I originally wanted to hunt the McCall, middle fork, or salmon units based on state bull to cow ratio reports and the google earth mapping...looks like great area! As I said we were late and by the time we got to purchase both the salmon and McCall were sold out, with plenty of tags left for the middle fork. So we bought them! Now we realize why they were there lol! It’s the wilderness. We are not discouraged though! Everywhere I’ve looked throughout the internet....people rave about the beauty, however state that they wouldn’t hunt there if they’re paid. So here is where we stand. We’ve hunted the Pasayten in the past and also hunted the deep areas that surround peaches ridge and the manashtash and know what steep country is. What I’m looking for is a little guidance to where we would be likely to find elk with some work. I have read that the density is referred to as thin because the area is vast. And pointers for access. By mapping I think we might try to head in via beaver creek. Your insight will be gratefully appreciated.
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So there are tags available for all 3 zones you listed... you will want an “a” tag for sept archery hunt dates. Salmon is sold out for b tag only and McCall is not capped as previously stated. My :twocents: go in July and check out McCall zone and salmon zone and decide then OR just flip a coin and buy one now then spend July gameplanning whichever you choose. As long as you like the country spend a few seasons in there and you will start figuring stuff out. Good luck :tup:
Post by: idahohuntr on January 04, 2020, 09:38:41 PM
That's incorrect. It is not a capped zone - it has not sold out. You must be thinking of a different unit or zone. :dunno:Is McCall Zone sold out?No. It's not a capped zone, so only after the total nr quota is gone would it be unavailable.
It sold out 12/15
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Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 04, 2020, 11:29:39 PM
That's incorrect. It is not a capped zone - it has not sold out. You must be thinking of a different unit or zone. :dunno:Is McCall Zone sold out?No. It's not a capped zone, so only after the total nr quota is gone would it be unavailable.
It sold out 12/15
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I stand corrected...I was thinking salmon., and it is spike only...that is why I didn’t want to hunt it.
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Post by: deerlick on January 05, 2020, 11:33:19 AM
Post by: cbond3318 on January 05, 2020, 01:16:52 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on January 05, 2020, 10:06:11 PM
I stand corrected...I was thinking salmon., and it is spike only...that is why I didn’t want to hunt it.Based on this I’m calling troll. And if you wanna get offended because you’re not a troll...I’ll make up for it right here bud. Someone who’s this confused on the regs and zones and seasons has no business whatsoever jumping into the middle fork having already admitted that you’re 100% unfamiliar with it.
PS: ...or you could find yourself surrounded by giant bugling bulls 200yds into the wilderness...but the odds of that ain’t good.
Post by: huntnnw on January 05, 2020, 10:14:20 PM
What weapon are trying to hunt with? Your dates of 9/15-9/30 would align with the Mcall Zone A tag Archery Only - Any Elk..... :dunno:
off the top of my head the middle fork for those dates is a rifle hunt
Post by: cbond3318 on January 06, 2020, 07:46:19 AM
What weapon are trying to hunt with? Your dates of 9/15-9/30 would align with the Mcall Zone A tag Archery Only - Any Elk..... :dunno:
off the top of my head the middle fork for those dates is a rifle hunt
That is correct. The OP sounded like maybe Middle Fork is more than he wanted but thought the other units were sold out? I guess if he was set on a rifle September bull hunt, he has the right tag.
Post by: ctwiggs1 on January 06, 2020, 08:37:03 AM
Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 06, 2020, 11:35:17 AM
Yes we decided on the middle fork because it is a rifle hunt in the rut. I miss spoke when I called the McCall sold out, when I went back and looked at the availability of tags again and didn’t see McCall I looked back in the refs and saw that during sept, it is spike only for archery. I can stay here in EWA and do that lol. Unfortunately for me this is the first time hunting out of state so yes the way the refs are in the book it was kind of confusing to me, I spoke to a ifg guy and he explained it as you know we don have specific elk areas for the general hunt. Mostly what we didn’t realize was that middle fork was in the wilderness and while internet surfing finding access to it was looking impossible. Whoever called me a troll, I’m not offended lol just looking for a little help. Everyone that is coming with (4) wanted to rifle hunt, and I didn’t want to give up EWA deer season, I’ve archery hunted elk exclusively since 1990. They aren’t huge fans lol. Anyway, I do appreciate the insight that you’ve put out so far and any more would be great.What weapon are trying to hunt with? Your dates of 9/15-9/30 would align with the Mcall Zone A tag Archery Only - Any Elk..... :dunno:
off the top of my head the middle fork for those dates is a rifle hunt
That is correct. The OP sounded like maybe Middle Fork is more than he wanted but thought the other units were sold out? I guess if he was set on a rifle September bull hunt, he has the right tag.
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Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 06, 2020, 11:39:18 AM
What weapon are trying to hunt with? Your dates of 9/15-9/30 would align with the Mcall Zone A tag Archery Only - Any Elk..... :dunno:
Yes, the other guys going with aren’t huge fans of the bow, so this was the compromise. Originally we were going to pick the salmon bc I could hunt for a bull using archery and they were going to camp out and try to get a cow with a rifle near the crop fields. That was sold out.
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Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 06, 2020, 11:48:11 AM
I stand corrected...I was thinking salmon., and it is spike only...that is why I didn’t want to hunt it.Based on this I’m calling troll. And if you wanna get offended because you’re not a troll...I’ll make up for it right here bud. Someone who’s this confused on the regs and zones and seasons has no business whatsoever jumping into the middle fork having already admitted that you’re 100% unfamiliar with it.
PS: ...or you could find yourself surrounded by giant bugling bulls 200yds into the wilderness...but the odds of that ain’t good.
Well, the first time you look at the regs it is confusing simply because they are so different than Washington. I mean if they were a little similar than ya sure I get what you’re saying, but they’re absolutely not.
As for the wilderness, it’s just that. No different than the wilderness here. Topography is different but that being said, you learn it by getting out in it!...that’s how I grew up, you know before gadgetry and stuff....map and a compass and your eyes was all you had.
Just looking for some access help, like I said we didn’t realize that. Looking at the google maps it looks like coming in from the south is easiest?
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Post by: 2MANY on January 06, 2020, 12:25:51 PM
Jump in a raft.
Paddle fast.
Post by: Mr Mykiss on January 06, 2020, 03:09:10 PM
In my opinion, the middle fork deer/elk hunts are more about the experience and the wilderness than the ease of the hunt or size or abundance of the critters. Also there are plenty of Idaho zones that will give you the same or better quality without being so rugged but if you're committed then get after it and enjoy the experience.
Post by: idaho guy on January 06, 2020, 03:15:04 PM
Go full blown Lewis and Clark.
Jump in a raft.
Paddle fast.
winner go big or go home that's how to access it! Or woos out and fly in :chuckle:
Post by: 2MANY on January 06, 2020, 03:28:04 PM
Especially if you wore your high school football helmet.
Post by: theleo on January 06, 2020, 03:38:55 PM
Probably could just fly in a DIY ultra light aircraft.Funny how aviation helmets and football helmets from back in your day look so similar. How much padding was in those leather helmets anyway?
Especially if you wore your high school football helmet.
Post by: 2MANY on January 06, 2020, 04:32:07 PM
Post by: bear on January 06, 2020, 05:31:14 PM
I wore un-padded leather due to the size of my skull.
Makes sense. How many fingers am I holding up. ✌️
Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 06, 2020, 06:39:05 PM
There's access points that are pretty well known and/or you can find em yourself. There are DIY fly in options available but those range from..."hunted hard for 10 days and saw nothing" to "shot two bulls 200 yds from the airstrip" more the former than the latter.
In my opinion, the middle fork deer/elk hunts are more about the experience and the wilderness than the ease of the hunt or size or abundance of the critters. Also there are plenty of Idaho zones that will give you the same or better quality without being so rugged but if you're committed then get after it and enjoy the experience.
I asked about access because when I was doing the E-scouting it’s just hard to tell. I’ve never hunted Idaho so basically threw a dart lol. I didn’t think it would’ve been appropriate to do a shotgun blast on here saying...”hey, where’s a good spot to hunt elk at” lol. Like you said about the elk, it everything I’ve read all over...hiker for days didn’t see crap and buddy shot one near the strip. Biggest reason we wanted September is praying on finding them with locator calls and grinding it out. Maybe we won’t even see an elk??? Either way it will be a great time. Speaking of well known access areas, is there a thread in this or different site? I haven’t been able to find any solid intel. I have not called IDFG yet either, that is in the plan.
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Post by: fishngamereaper on January 06, 2020, 07:50:53 PM
One thing I will tell you is that just about every road into the church crosse's a pass that's at least 6-8k feet. September snow is not uncommon. It's also not uncommon for guys to leave trucks and camps all winter because of these early snows....
Post by: actionshooter on January 06, 2020, 08:33:55 PM
Go full blown Lewis and Clark.
Jump in a raft.
Paddle fast.
You don't have to paddle fast unless you want to go to shore.... that damn river is fast enough.. :)
Post by: Marcusoliver70 on January 07, 2020, 09:08:43 AM
Have you used the Idaho hunt planner. Pick the unit, go to layers and activate the roads/ trails options. It's all right there to see....
One thing I will tell you is that just about every road into the church crosse's a pass that's at least 6-8k feet. September snow is not uncommon. It's also not uncommon for guys to leave trucks and camps all winter because of these early snows....
I have not been using it correctly lol. I will give that a shot, thank you for the info on the snow. I’ve been wondering about that too
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Post by: huntnnw on January 08, 2020, 10:32:09 PM
Post by: big wood on January 09, 2020, 04:08:20 PM
Post by: Ace on March 26, 2020, 11:03:08 AM