Idaho Unit 66A

[archeryelk]

Plan to be out that way near the end of Sept. I have seen several posts on here about how pounded it gets during archery Elk season. I plan to at least go down and check it out but want to see if buying an Elk tag is even worth the worry.

It is wilderness but not that big. I have done quit a bit of scouting via maps in that area as well as talk to several people that have hunted it.

Any input appreciated,

Archer

 

[idhunters]

None of it is "wilderness". There may be some non-roaded and rougher area's, but its not wilderness.

It does get pounded but its a big unit (66a includes 76). There are also alot of elk. There are no over the counter rifle tags in those units, just archery and draws.

In my opinion it is overrated. The way people flock to the unit you would think there are no elk anywhere else in Idaho. However, there are alot of hunters because there is alot of elk.

If your willing to get away from the masses and pack out your elk you will get into them. They get called so much they tend to shut up so stand hunting or spot n stalk are the best bets.

Good luck.

 

[archeryelk]

From G&F 66A you are not allowed anything but walking and horses. Not to say folks do do it but that is the regs from what I am told.

Archer

 

[archeryelk]

Would be backpacking and covering 66A on foot should not be a problem.

I know it gets tons of pressure but I will be just over an hour from there anyways.

I plan to run down there and scout some regardless if I get a quota archery tag or not.

Archer

 

[archeryelk]

I had picked 2 areas a little north of there that I was going to try before I drew the Moose tag. Don't really have time to bowhunt like I would want/need to but hate not to a least scout some since I am coming that far.

Archer

 

[Idahoelk]

Your best shot in that zone is the first week of the hunt. Most folks want to hunt the rut and take their time off accordingly.Problem is that the Elk are not that callable but that doesn't stop the masses from trying. There are plenty of Elk That will bugle and feed in openings mornings and evenings. If you let them do their thing and don't call sneaking in on them is very doable. Once you know where they like to feed ambush or treestands can be very effective. Also sometimes the biggest wad of Humans is furthest from the road cause thats where like minded people look on the map trying to ditch other hunters. I actually saw more people 6 miles from any road than in the 2-3 mile areas. Good luck, Hope you kill an Elk. I will always have fond memories of that Zone but am also moving on to other better Elk pastures.

 

[IDarcher]

Archer,
I used to hunt that zone a bunch (in fact grew up near there) and as everyone has mentioned, pressure is real, but the country is terrific and does hold lots of elk and they have to be somewhere. In my experience lots of aggressive calling has rarely been effective, but I have had bulls willing to respond as they hold their ground or slowly move off. Keeping one guy back to occassionally call and keep bull pinpointed, while partner slips in for ambush has worked some. It is also not a coincidence that so many controlled hunt tags are offered for this area. Many of these critters actually winter in unit 69 where winter counts keep going up and so IDFG is trying to get some harvest on that portion of the winter herd that summers in 66A and 76. I have seen quite a number of quality bulls in this unit(300-330) while having partners harvesting a couple better than this. I think it is worth the look. Lotsa luck