W
Wapato
Guest
Where do you think the best spot in Idaho is to hunt elk? Or just the most elk in any area in Idaho in September.
B
Bozeman
Guest
I feel your pain Ismith.
AWHOLELOTTABULL
Long Time Member
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Wapato - you're fishing with a bare hook. You are pretty new here so I will give you a little advise. Do some research yourself and come to the table with some specific areas and you will have better luck than the blanket question you asked. There are some pretty savy hunters on this site and are more than willing to share but you need to do a little footwork yourself. Good luck.
It's always an adventure!!!
It's always an adventure!!!
W
Wapato
Guest
Basically I've got it narrowed down to either the Lemhi or the McCall but I just wanted to see if these areas would come up.
AWHOLELOTTABULL
Long Time Member
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I've hunted around the McCall area. There is a pretty good population of elk but there is also a lot of pressure. Obviously a lot less if you are willing to hoof it. Northeast of McCall is a good place to start. Take a look at some of the longer drainages and focus you attention towards the tops.
It's always an adventure!!!
It's always an adventure!!!
http:www.elknut.com
I agree with Jim, sure there's elk in the McCall Zone, but there's lots of hunting pressure as well. Too, the wolves are really taking a foot hold here as well not making it a top choice unit to consider. I speak from first hand experience as I live here!
I'd consider other units if you're coming from a long ways. Hate to see you too dissapointed because no one fore-warned you!
ElkNut1
I agree with Jim, sure there's elk in the McCall Zone, but there's lots of hunting pressure as well. Too, the wolves are really taking a foot hold here as well not making it a top choice unit to consider. I speak from first hand experience as I live here!
I'd consider other units if you're coming from a long ways. Hate to see you too dissapointed because no one fore-warned you!
ElkNut1
Having hunted elk for years in many zones in Idaho, I believe that the best spot is the one that you know holds elk. McCall has alot of elk and hunters. Other zones may have fewer hunters, but it will be more difficult to find elk. Try to find a little spot where the hunters don't go (even if they are in the vicinity). Case in point, we have had unbelievable success in the Liar's Peak area of unit 64/67. It is a zone that draws a lot of hunters, yet no one hunts the Liar's Peak area. They inadvertently push the elk to us. Find a spot like that and you will have the best spot in Idaho.
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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Hunted the Lemhi range on the rifle hunt in "04." But I got there 5 days earlier while archery was still going. Archery hunters I talked to said the elk quit talking the last week due to pressure. We heard bulls during the rifle season and there are elk there.
I think any of the draw rifle hunt units would be good for archery elk since its OTC but everyone else has figured that out too so you won't be alone.
I think any of the draw rifle hunt units would be good for archery elk since its OTC but everyone else has figured that out too so you won't be alone.
NORKALNIMROD
Active Member
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When I was a kid we ranched in Southwest Idaho, just outside a litte town named Oreana. Our upper ranch was in the Owyhee Mountains. We owned half of what is known as Triangle as well as some other properties in that area. I spent weeks in those mountians every summer working cattle,there were no elk there at the time, the 60's and 70's. I am told that there are not only trophy elk there now, but also whitetail. I have hunted the McCall/Brundage area as well as Tamarack and Cambridge. Some of the biggest bulls I have ever seen have been in these areas. I have'nt hunted everywhere, so I'm sure there are huge bulls elsewhere as well. But of the places I have hunted, Montana, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah Idaho has shown me the largest bulls. When I first hunted there bulls would come on the run looking for a fight when you bugled, the last time I was there they ran the other way! There is a huge amount of presure in both bow and rifle seasons. However there are LOTS of elk there. If you don't mind company and use them to your advantage these areas can still be producers of very large bulls!
NORKALNIMROD
NORKALNIMROD
When you look for that spot, keep in mind the benefit of staying closer to the road than most hunters. Every year we get some of our biggest bulls within a half mile and quite often a few hundred yards from the main road. Why? Because so many guys blow by them on their way to the back country and push them out towards the roads into little pockets where no one hunts. These spots exist even in the most crowded units (maybe more so). Last year we took two bulls (one 290") and one moose within easy rifle shot of the highway by doing this.
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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Misalot didn't miss on that tip. In 29, Lemhi, I found a pretty good, 280-300 bull off of the main gravel road while scouting. All the archery hunter were packed in on horses or llamas, miles from the trailhead. We rode every day before the season and saw the best bull 400 yards below the road. Had to walk out on a point to see him. Found him on tues and the season started on Fri. Went back on thurs night and saw quad tracks right by where we had seen him and my partner was convinced that he'd been spoked out of the area when he didn't come out that night. We huntd elsewhere on the opener and I forgot about him. I was hunting about 1 1/2 miles away on Sun and heard 2 shots in that general area. The next morning I saw a gutpile on the shoulder of the road. Could have been any bull but I'm convinced it was him. Don't overlook those area that look elky but are up next to roads. Most will blow by them like we did.
elknut
Active Member
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A "tip" for Idaho is the two track trails. Often ATV?s are not allowed but a motorcycle is. The horse hunters don't like to see the bikes and will often avoid the trail, and not many people will hunt off of a motorcycle. You can get into some good areas with little effort and set a spike camp. I've hunted out of Lemhi, Salmon, East Fork, Selway, Challis, Palisades, and Elk City. You will find considerable less pressure bow hunting. Plus, the locals don't seem to mind because you're not going to kill anything anyway, at least I never do
If you do hunt on a motorcycle and encounter horses, the horse has first priority on the trail. Turn off the bike and let them ride past or at lease stop well before you pressure the horse and let the rider wave you past when they are ready and his pack is secure.
A trail hiker should follow the same rules, plus if the rider OK?s you to pass, do so on the down hill side so if the horse spooks it's all up hill baby.
If you do hunt on a motorcycle and encounter horses, the horse has first priority on the trail. Turn off the bike and let them ride past or at lease stop well before you pressure the horse and let the rider wave you past when they are ready and his pack is secure.
A trail hiker should follow the same rules, plus if the rider OK?s you to pass, do so on the down hill side so if the horse spooks it's all up hill baby.
