Idaho Archery Elk 66A, 76

[bigcountry3000]

I am planning to go out of state elk hunting for the first time. I have never hunted elk, although it has been a longtime dream of mine and this is the first season i have had the oppurtunity to go. i am graduating this summer from college. Icould never go because of school. I have been an archery hunter for some time and was told this was the best time to hunt in idaho. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. i am not a trophy hunter and am primarily hoping for a cow, If i get a chance at all. I am not greedy only grateful for this chance to go. Thx

 

[Prism]

If you'd be happy with a cow or spike, I think Utah would be a better bet-cheaper too. More than enough elk on the Manti or Wasatch units to keep you entertained for a day or two.

If you're after a bull it's Idaho all the way!

 

[bubbas]

how is unit 76 for mature bulls? I may have an opportunity to hunt a ranch near Georgetown that butts up against the national forest. Can I expect mature bulls to be there? Or is it a better deer unit?
Thx

 

[idhunters]

If there isn't elk on the ranch now there will be after season opens.

Since your hunting private ground you might find a camping spot! LOL its pretty busy during the bow hunt.

There are plenty of mature bulls in those units.

If your just looking for a cow or spike there are other units I would hunt just to get away from the crowds.

 

[Idahoelk]

This is the most overrated bowhunt in Idaho. It has a lot of Elk but the hunt brings the masses! I agree for a cow or spike Utah is a good option. I actually killed my first elk in Utah in a spike only unit. If you want to hunt Idaho I would choose a lesspounded Elk Zone and you are apt to see more unpressured animals. I bet when the harvest stats come out this year the Diamond Creek Zone zone will have slipped to around 11 percent sucess rate for archery. If you do choose to hunt it get WAY off the roads to find elk. The guy that has private land to hunt, I think that would be worth your while. This zone also has no ATV restrictions in place like most other zones in Idaho. I will be looking hard this summer for new Elk hunting grounds cause of the yearly decline of this particular zone. Any fellow Idaho MM guys have any ideas for me send me a PM. I have a horse too.

 

[stw7mm]

I hunted deer in unit 76 last year. In the Mead Basin area, I saw 5 or 6 bulls. Two of them were around 300 B&C. I saw one that would probably go 360 B&C. There is not a lot of quantity but a lot of quaility. If you just want an elk, raghorn or cow, go to Colorado.

 

[jason84403]

I have hunted that unit for years with a bull taking a 350 class bull last year. Start in diamond creek and learn that area there is a lot of mountain there and there are literally elk everywhere up there. Every mountain will have them you just have to find them. They do not go into the rut real heavy best time is 9-15 --9-20