Idaho muleys, Selway unit 19, clearwater tag

Niels · Mar 9, 2004

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 unit? 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.

WAbohntr · Mar 9, 2004

A buddy of mine used to hunt this unit quite a bit. He hasn't been there in a few years but they brought out some really nice bulls. They typically would get 2-3 elk for 3 hunters and all bulls were 6x6 or better. I never heard them talk about the deer at all though. They may not have been in a good area for deer. I would think for the elk you would want to go the first week of October because you would have a good chance that the bulls would still be rutting. If you are targeting the mule deer more, than the later time may be better.

Mark

Niels · Mar 9, 2004

Thanks Mark, that is very encouraging to hear that they killed some big bulls and 6x6's at that! Sounds like your buddy was there in September, when the elk are in full rut, probably a little to warm then for the muleys, plus they were probably targeting elk anyway. Even though we will be targeting elk also, the deer hunting should be pretty good, one of the guys I'm going with has been there a few times and he and his party have taken some really nice mulies and seen a few that were easily Boone and Crockett. I hear what you are saying about going the first week of October to try and catch the last part of the rut, but in order for the 4 of us to be able to all hunt together we need to go late. 2 from California, 1 from Illinois
and I'm from Florida, it took alot of planning to coordinate this trip, I'm glad we finally got it all figured out, all of us are already about to jump out of our skin. I think we are going to kill some animals, I feel very good about this trip. Take care.

BRUSHBEATER · Mar 9, 2004

I've got a Selway B tag this year & plan on going the last 10 days or so of Sept. I hunt in 20 bordering 19 & got a 5X5 last yr on Sept 25th. Your tag s/b good in both units. If you're going early in the month I would hunt high in the hills & the bulls may still be rutting. I would only hunt down by the river the last part of the month if there is enough snow to drive game to the lower elevations into the more open country. I don't think 19 or 20 are areas they get alot of trophy bulls but the success rate can be high. I've heard of a guy who was successful on nice big mulies but he used horses & hunted in November when they were a little more concentrated.

This is breath-taking seenery but be prepared. The weather can change quickly. The steep terrain is very unforgiving. You'll need good conditioning, 4X4 w/ chains, & quality boots. You may want to call the game warden that is stationed in Red River. His first name is Larry & he patrols that area & can give you more info.

Let me know if you how you do & email me if you have any ?'s.
Mike