Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: bowhuntersd on June 06, 2012, 04:25:31 PM
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What do you think would be the best "Elk Zone" for the Archery season?
OR
What region do you think would be the best to take a bull (Not a trophy, just something with some bone)?
I'm trying to plan a trip for the Idaho Archery season this year and still have not been able to narrow down where I should go, as I've never hunter Idaho before. I've been looking in the South East and the Mid West areas. What is your opinion? Is there better areas? I picked "elk zones" so no one feels like they have to give up their GMU. This hunt will be drive/hike style hunting as I don't have access to horses. We are in good shape so spike camping is the plan to get out and away.
Thanks for any advice. :tup:
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Idaho Elk hunting has chages drastically in some areas in the last 10 years from the wolves. I think some of the better areas are still forming because the elk that are left are trying to figure out how and where to survive. I had and awesome private ranch to hunt in South Central and could still hunt but no reason. 10 years ago we would see 4-500 head and 10+ 6 point bulls every day. Now youd be luck to see 50 head and probably a 5 point herd bull. It sucks but the guys I know are in the search mode for good areas.
Good luck, if you find success share!!!
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I've heard the issue of wolve has hurt the number of elk in the state, but what I haven't heard is which areas have been affected the most. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible on this so I don't pick a spot like the one you discribed. It would be very discuraging to put all that effort into a trip just to have it a bust. Like I stated in the original post, I'm not looking for a trophy I'm just wanting to hunt somewhere with good #'s. I haven't kill enough elk yet to start being picky on the quality. Thanks for the advise on considering the wolf impact on the areas I'm looking at. :tup:
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I saw quite a few elk in the SE corner of Idaho. As far As I know very few wolves.
But area is getting popular
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I've hunted unit 17 and unit 10a both have a lot of wolves, I do think there are less wolves in the south east area. Even with the wolves you can still find elk, they have just changed their habits a bit. Smaller herds, less vocal and they just seen to hang out in very small groups. We have tried different areas to find our sweet spot, you might want to talk to biologist and just start picken spots. It might take a few tries to find an area you like but that's hunting, I think salmon holds a pretty good number of elk but that is one place we havn't checked out yet. Good luck, you'll like Idaho- overt the counter tags, less people and you don't have to wait 17 plus years to draw a bull tag!!
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Idaho Fish and Game has a great web site. Spend some time reading all the stats for each unit. It takes some time but you can do it at home and its free. You can see trends in the reported animals taken by rack size and #'s. That is how I will be picking my next spot. They also have interactive maps so you can get a good idea of what to expect when you get there. There is still good hunting in Idaho it just may not be as easy as it used to be.
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The Grangeville area is pretty good. a lot of wolves but my dad lives there and says there are still a lot of elk. be carefull there cause its VERY steep country. last time I was there I saw a crap ton of deer and elk.
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I hunted rifle season in unit 28, Salmon, last fall. We heard wolves every day but there are elk and deer in there. The trick is to be mobile. We packed in and set up camp in a spot that was good, 3 bulls for 3 hunters, the year before but there was not an animal anywhere in the area this time. Guys who hunted about 5 miles on either side of us got into them. The point is, the elk seem to move around to stay away from the wolves so you should be prepared to do that as well. The numbers are fewer but people are still getting deer and elk. We saw a bull that green scored 348 in one camp as well as a few other nice smaller bulls. Of course they were all on somebody elses meat pole. An outfitter had camps further up the mtn from ours and I saw their pack strings coming out with meat a few times too.
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Hey guys, Thanks for all the insight. This should help me refine my search.
