idaho elk hunting,Selway unit 19, anyone been there?

[Niels]

I'm going to Idaho elk and mule deer hunting, this will be my first elk and muley hunt, I was wondering if any of you have ever hunted this unit, it's called the Gospel Hump Wilderness. I've heard from a buddy that's been there before, that I'm going with, that the unit holds some pretty good elk and some bruiser mulies. If you have hunted it before, what have you seen/taken from the area? I'm not asking you to tell me exactly where you hunt, the hump is 250,000 acres + so I don't think I would be in the same exact area that you were. The September rut and November migration "B" tag already sold out for the year, so 4 of us got the "A" tag that runs from October 1st through the 31st, we want to go as late as possible,in hopes that the animals will start migrating down near the Salmon River, we will be hunting from the 21st through the 30th. I'm looking forward to hearing from anybody that has hunted this unit before, thanks in advance.

 

[BrianID]

I haven't hunted the area before but can tell you that you should have a enjoyable hunt. I certainly wouldn't count on the animals migrating during October though. One thing that could affect your hunt is that the Idaho F&G is talking about separating the general season deer tag so you will have to choose a whitetail tag or a mule deer tag.

 

[IDkTm]

The deer tag proposal, as I understand it, is for 2005, not 2004 so you should be okay in that respect. I was told last night that selway herds are starting to recover though cow numbers are still low. The bull:cow ratio is good though and there are lots of young bulls in the herd. Fish and game expects lots of big bulls in around 5 years.

 

[supersider34]

I have hunted it before and it is rough going. I hunted over Nez Perce pass. If it was me I would hit it at the first of the month of Oct. As the bulls will still be trying to get the late cows. Also if it is a hot year as last year then the rut will kick in late and the bulls will be bugling to. So good luck and have a safe hunt.

 

[Niels]

thanks fellas for the info, I appreciate it, supersider, if you don't mind me asking, how long ago did you hunt it? and did you see/take any bulls or muleys? if so, any big ones? Thanks.

 

[supersider34]

Me and my friend went up in 97 and I hunted it for bears in 98. We did see some elk but we were so far back in that we where not sure as to shoot or not. My friend had the shot and we dropped off the back side of Devils peak /lookout. We where in about 3 1/2 miles and it was all straight down to where we where. I have some pics of the area where we where and it was nasty. Then we got home and Tad's Aunts B/F guides up there for the outfit back at Paradise at the end of the road. He said best places to go is across the river as mosst people dont hunt or want to cross the river. We spent 4 days up there and found out that getting in there was not a very good idea unless you have the time to pack it out. There is also 2 other outfitters in there. So 3 total. You have to be half billie goat because we hunted off the top and it was all down hill to where we went. So to get an elk out would of been a chore. Ran into alot of other people hunting in there and every one saw bears so if you see a bear and have a NR deer tag you can shoot it. So keep that in mind. Didnt see any deer except I shot a WT buck. Just a little guy. Had a 7mm mag and first yr with the gun and it worked great.LOL Put it right down like now. Actually picked it up and slammed it to the ground at about 55 yds.
Good luck and I do not know where you will be hunting up there but have fun. Most of the guys I know that hunt the area use horses.