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Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: bornhunter on April 25, 2020, 09:20:37 AM


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Title: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 25, 2020, 09:20:37 AM
I am going to try for moose tag in Idaho this year for the first time. Any opinions on good units to try for? Have not tried their hunt planner or talked to bio's yet but plan on doing do so.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: meatwhack on April 25, 2020, 09:52:39 AM
Do you have a general area you’re looking at or anywhere in the state?
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: jrebel on April 25, 2020, 09:57:31 AM
Canada!!  Any province is better than Idaho.   :sry: but it is the truth. 
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 25, 2020, 10:00:44 AM
Canada!!  Any province is better than Idaho.   :sry: but it is the truth.


 :yeah:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 25, 2020, 10:01:04 AM
All Idaho units are pretty equal. Look at the stats for average antler spread. Success is pretty equal to..so it boils down to terrain preference.  :twocents:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: trophyhunt on April 25, 2020, 10:14:57 AM
$2100 is much cheaper than a Canadian hunt, good luck on your search. 
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: jrebel on April 25, 2020, 10:17:00 AM
$2100 is much cheaper than a Canadian hunt, good luck on your search.

That is fact....a Canadian moose hunt will set you back a few more bills. 
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: idaho guy on April 25, 2020, 10:25:12 AM
Canada!!  Any province is better than Idaho.   :sry: but it is the truth.
   

 :yeah: of Wyoming some Idaho moose units are really hurting
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: idaho guy on April 25, 2020, 10:32:39 AM
All Idaho units are pretty equal. Look at the stats for average antler spread. Success is pretty equal to..so it boils down to terrain preference.  :twocents:
   

I would have agreed a few years ago. No way equal anymore some of the prior best units hardly have moose. Op needs to only do minimal homework and some units will stand out. I would look at units actually south of panhandle units for trophy quality. Check last few years success rates and average width versus 5 and then 10 years ago it’s clear which units      Are hurting and the few that aren’t.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: idaho guy on April 25, 2020, 10:35:19 AM
The bios will probably tell you most units are fine many are not. need to do just a little homework.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: buglebrush on April 25, 2020, 10:57:27 AM
I've hunted the Panhandle for over 20 years, and the wolves have decimated it.  Especially Unit 1. I would look for areas with less wolves.   My advice would be to do your research, especially focusing on the last five years as North Idaho was awesome 10 years ago.   :twocents:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 25, 2020, 11:03:49 AM
Do you have a general area you’re looking at or anywhere in the state?

Not set on any area yet. Open to anything right now. In what research I have done just this am things look a bit disappointing. Surprised too that most controlled elk hunts are already sold out. I obviously snoozed to long. Moose apps close on the 30th. May be to late. Thanks everyone for the input.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: meatwhack on April 25, 2020, 11:20:48 AM
You’re expectations for the hunt will also dictate what units may be better than others. Do you want to just draw a tag and hunt moose being happy with shooting a decent bull or do you want to draw a tag and hunt for a B&C bull?  There’s still a lot of options, most units you just have to work a bit harder in now rather than just shooting one from the road.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on April 25, 2020, 11:26:44 AM
Man we were doing so good and now in one day we have a thread about Idaho moose and one about Raffle tags. This is what PMs are for people. I’m in for Idaho moose so hopefully I get lucky. Good luck to all who are in
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 25, 2020, 11:47:51 AM
Man we were doing so good and now in one day we have a thread about Idaho moose and one about Raffle tags. This is what PMs are for people. I’m in for Idaho moose so hopefully I get lucky. Good luck to all who are in

Good luck to you too.. :tup:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Naches Sportsman on April 25, 2020, 02:06:59 PM
Put in for units with a lot of logging roads. There are units in the northern part of idaho that have good draw odds but those are areas with very little roads. I've seen very little moose in some units and a lot of moose in other units. Good luck!
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Buckhunter24 on April 25, 2020, 02:19:05 PM
There's a lot of roads in the panhandle units  :dunno:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Naches Sportsman on April 25, 2020, 02:26:36 PM
There's a lot of roads in the panhandle units  :dunno:

But there's not many roads in some units in the Clearwater region.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 25, 2020, 03:10:32 PM
Still some units out there with good moose numbers and good bulls, though not like it used to be. I have a buddy applying so wont share units but good luck in the draw!

I drew my first time applying.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 25, 2020, 10:13:28 PM
Still some units out there with good moose numbers and good bulls, though not like it used to be. I have a buddy applying so wont share units but good luck in the draw!

I drew my first time applying.

 :tup: Thanks
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 26, 2020, 09:56:25 AM
Still some units out there with good moose numbers and good bulls, though not like it used to be. I have a buddy applying so wont share units but good luck in the draw!

I drew my first time applying.

 :tup: Thanks

Let me know if you draw and if its a unit i know anything about i might have some info for ya.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: MerriamMagician on April 26, 2020, 11:54:14 AM
$2100 is much cheaper than a Canadian hunt, good luck on your search.

Next year the non-rez tag fee jumps up to $2626.75 so this year is the last chance to apply at the current price
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: idaho guy on April 26, 2020, 12:52:22 PM
I put in for a late season 2 week tag and drew probably 6 years ago. Odds were great to draw and I got a nice one and saw plenty of bulls. Just looked at last year and success for that tag was zero!! Not one moose harvested that shows you the massive impact wolves have had. As mentioned still some really good moose areas and they should be obvious to anyone willing to look. It’s sad what’s happened to what I considered our best units historically. They want to blame ticks but funny how they all died once the wolves showed up in numbers. Sorry little rant :chuckle: the op shouldn’t be discouraged just know what your getting when you pick your unit. I don’t want to post specific units since were in app period but again should be obvious. Flip side is the destruction made for some easy odds in some units and if you work your tail off you will still get one.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 26, 2020, 01:47:41 PM
Still some units out there with good moose numbers and good bulls, though not like it used to be. I have a buddy applying so wont share units but good luck in the draw!

I drew my first time applying.

 :tup: Thanks

Let me know if you draw and if its a unit i know anything about i might have some info for ya.

Will do, thank you.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 26, 2020, 01:49:09 PM
I put in for a late season 2 week tag and drew probably 6 years ago. Odds were great to draw and I got a nice one and saw plenty of bulls. Just looked at last year and success for that tag was zero!! Not one moose harvested that shows you the massive impact wolves have had. As mentioned still some really good moose areas and they should be obvious to anyone willing to look. It’s sad what’s happened to what I considered our best units historically. They want to blame ticks but funny how they all died once the wolves showed up in numbers. Sorry little rant :chuckle: the op shouldn’t be discouraged just know what your getting when you pick your unit. I don’t want to post specific units since were in app period but again should be obvious. Flip side is the destruction made for some easy odds in some units and if you work your tail off you will still get one.

 :tup: Thank you.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Huntin Hounds on April 27, 2020, 11:15:54 AM
Moose in Idaho is nowhere close to as good as it was 5-10 years ago. I used to see at least one trophy bull and several really nice ones every year while out running dogs. Its been about 3 years since I have seen a mid 40's bull. I'm sure they are around just not nearly as many. Little story on one I saw about 5 years ago.
I stopped on ridge during fall and walked out this old road a ways to the edge of a clear cut to listen for elk. The bear hunting was slow that day and I needed to stretch my legs. I get out above this clear cut and just below me about 50-60 yards is what looks to be a nice bull moose sitting in and old grassy road. He was laying down and looking the the other direction and I had a hard time seeing how wide he was. So I did my best moose grunts that I've called moose in before with and he never even twitched a muscle. I guess I wasn't on my game that day or something. After a few minutes of not moving I gave a good howl. He instantly looked up at my direction waited a few seconds then stood up and left in a hurry the opposite direction.
If you do draw Idaho and find fresh wolf sign I would move areas.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: buglebrush on April 27, 2020, 11:28:31 AM
"If you do draw Idaho and find fresh wolf sign I would move areas."

This is true, but sadly up North this also equals basically everywhere. 
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 27, 2020, 09:12:43 PM
Moose in Idaho is nowhere close to as good as it was 5-10 years ago. I used to see at least one trophy bull and several really nice ones every year while out running dogs. Its been about 3 years since I have seen a mid 40's bull. I'm sure they are around just not nearly as many. Little story on one I saw about 5 years ago.
I stopped on ridge during fall and walked out this old road a ways to the edge of a clear cut to listen for elk. The bear hunting was slow that day and I needed to stretch my legs. I get out above this clear cut and just below me about 50-60 yards is what looks to be a nice bull moose sitting in and old grassy road. He was laying down and looking the the other direction and I had a hard time seeing how wide he was. So I did my best moose grunts that I've called moose in before with and he never even twitched a muscle. I guess I wasn't on my game that day or something. After a few minutes of not moving I gave a good howl. He instantly looked up at my direction waited a few seconds then stood up and left in a hurry the opposite direction.
If you do draw Idaho and find fresh wolf sign I would move areas.

What a shame its that bad.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: ghosthunter on April 27, 2020, 09:39:53 PM
Sounds like wolf hunting might be a better hunt :dunno:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on April 27, 2020, 09:40:49 PM
The IDFG website is very user friendly.  You can look up harvest statistics and draw rates through 2019.  Take a look and see if you can figure it out for yourself?  There used to be a few spots that were 100% draw rate, until people asked about them online.  So decide how far you are willing to drive, see what happened in the last few years, and figure it out.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on April 29, 2020, 07:39:49 PM
IDFG website is really great. Have been on it for several hours and have narrowed my search. Will pull the trigger on a couple of units tomorrow before the deadline. Thanks everyone. And good luck out there to everyone who is puttin in for tags this year.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: meatwhack on April 29, 2020, 07:49:05 PM
Just an FYI it’s really only worth putting one choice down because of how the system works.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on May 01, 2020, 09:55:46 PM
Just an FYI it’s really only worth putting one choice down because of how the system works.

Actually that is what I ended up doing. Thanks.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on May 01, 2020, 10:07:07 PM
Can’t wait till the 15th when results should be out
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on May 02, 2020, 07:57:20 AM
Can’t wait till the 15th when results should be out
:yeah:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on May 02, 2020, 10:52:18 PM
Man the 15th can’t come soon enough. Probably won’t draw anyways, it will just be onto the next hopeful draws but hey I’m in so there is a chance. Does anyone have any pictures of some Idaho moose to keep up the suspense? Big or small, live or dead
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: stackemup on May 03, 2020, 04:10:33 PM
Myself and my two hunting partners are in for Idaho moose.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Bango skank on May 03, 2020, 04:32:00 PM
Ive found some killer spots in 1-2, 1-3 and ill be putting in next year.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on May 03, 2020, 05:37:25 PM
Nice. I didn’t put in for either of those so if I draw I might be able to get some info out of you if you have any on some other units in the area.  :chuckle:
Put in for the shorter season where I applied hoping it might help my odds of moose hunting this year so along with scouting trips I will need to have boots on the ground a week before season so hopefully I have an idea of what is realistic by the opener.
IF I draw
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Brushbuster on May 03, 2020, 08:13:40 PM
Man the 15th can’t come soon enough. Probably won’t draw anyways, it will just be onto the next hopeful draws but hey I’m in so there is a chance. Does anyone have any pictures of some Idaho moose to keep up the suspense? Big or small, live or dead

Bumped into these guys during my SE ID Deer hunt last year.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on May 04, 2020, 06:37:19 PM
Nice. The one on the left would be one to consider going into the last day or two.  If Drawn  hopefully I can find something a bit bigger. But at the same time I’m not passing up a freezer full of meat trying to hold out till the last minute for the biggest bull in the woods. Hopefully all problems I have to deal with this fall
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Flaming Antler Outdoors on May 06, 2020, 03:21:08 PM
Idaho has a great unit that hasn't been screwed by Epic or HF.  But talking with HF at the Utah show this year it is going to be put in their magazine this coming 2021.  Those great odds will be gone.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: HillHound on May 09, 2020, 06:21:36 AM
One more week until results are out. But that won’t keep me from checking every day next week.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on May 09, 2020, 08:01:26 AM
One more week until results are out. But that won’t keep me from checking every day next week.
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Brushbuster on May 09, 2020, 08:33:24 AM
This was my 1st time applying for a moose tag in over 20+ years of hunting/applying for ID permits. I was not eligible to put in for deer cuz I drew last year. Plus the cost of moose tags are jumping up next year so thought I'd give it shot before the increase.

Good luck you guys. Looking forward to some moose hunt success stories this year.  :tup:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on May 10, 2020, 07:31:39 AM
Idaho has a great unit that hasn't been screwed by Epic or HF.  But talking with HF at the Utah show this year it is going to be put in their magazine this coming 2021.  Those great odds will be gone.

Would that be Carters HF?
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Bru14 on May 15, 2020, 11:13:39 AM
I drew unit 3001 for the sept. - dec season!!!!! Any info would be great, saw quite a few cows and 1 bull last season deer hunting but that’s it.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: bornhunter on May 16, 2020, 08:26:37 AM
I drew unit 3001 for the sept. - dec season!!!!! Any info would be great, saw quite a few cows and 1 bull last season deer hunting but that’s it.

 :tup:
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Birdsandfish on May 17, 2020, 11:51:51 AM
I drew a moose tag for 10A-2. If anyone knows anything about this area, I would greatly appreciate it.
Title: Re: Best moose units to apply for in Idaho
Post by: Jharristealth on May 17, 2020, 12:46:10 PM
I drew a moose tag for 10A-2. If anyone knows anything about this area, I would greatly appreciate it.

I hunted that area for elk in 2018. We didnt see any Moose during the trip but came across some old sign. I would suggest showing up a couple days early and buy some rounds for the locals at the Timber Inn in Pierce.  May get them talking. Keystone light seems to be the preferred choice around that neck of the woods. Also, a C.B. Is very valuable in this area as there is an insane amount of logging activity going on at any given time up there and  the roads can be outright scary!  Good luck!
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