Idaho Units 21 and 28

weavervillain · May 19, 2007

Well, as the results of various draws are released, the possibilities of where to go hunting this fall diminish. As w/ several of you, our fate for this coming fall now lies in the hands of NM's and Cali's draws. W/ poor odds in each of these states (at least for the hunts we applied for), back-up plans are working their way to the forefront. LOL. At the beginining of the year, a couple of the guys in our group expressed an interest in hunting ID if all other plans failed. Not looking for a monster bull, they were more interested in seeing new country than visiting old stomping grounds.

Anyways, we have settled on the unit 21 and 28 country in the Shoup/N Fork area. Was hoping to get your guys take on Elk behavior in this area(perhaps one or two of ya have hunted this neck of the woods). Sounds like it's some pretty rough country in some spots. How much pressure should be expected? What's the weather like in mid-late oct(temps? snow? Road cond?)? Are the elk gonna move to certain areas w/ the progression of the season? Are elk still vocal on the opener? Any suggestions/techniques for hunting this area? Is it worth it to buy a deer tag as well?

Trying to get a handle on this hunt, so we can be prepared both mentally and physically. Any advice is appreciated. Use of PM's is encouraged. Thanks a bunch, Brian.

www.languageoflandscape.com

Roadtrip · May 19, 2007

Brian,
A lot of guys from Idaho hang out at "moosies hunttalk" if you can find it on the net. Oscar runs the place...and he posts here once in a while. I hunted the middlefork for years in unit 27 but can't say beans about 21 or 28. I know that 27 is some difficult country...not by altitude standards but simply straight up, straight down, rock slides and deep dark timber with enough blowdown to send most people packing. Wolves make it a challenge but I got into elk every year and killed a few decent bulls.

Cheers, Roadtrip

"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son" Dean Wormer, Animal House

weavervillain · May 19, 2007

Thanks, I'll try over there.

Outdoordan · May 19, 2007

I shot my ram with a bow in that area last Sept. Spent a little time "on top" looking for deer/elk. You will be hard pressed to find many deer or elk down by the river, there are some, but your best option is to head "up" to the top. When I say that I mean that the river is low comparitively lets say 3500', and the top is at 7500'. Most the game is up there. It is very hot late summer/early fall down by the river. I mean 90 degrees, and the feed is dried up. There are 3 roads that go up top between North Fork and Corn Creek in unit 21. And two on unit 28. Panther Creek, and one right where the road crosses the river just out of Shoup, can't remember what it is called. It is "classic" Elk and Deer country on top between the river and Montana, and the hunting must be pretty good. I did see some remains (legs and such) from the season before where somebody must have scored.

shortmag · May 20, 2007

I just drove US93(5/18/07) in that area and saw approximately 300 elk from the road. Most were cows and yearlings but it seems there are elk in the units 21 and 21A.

NoDoe · May 20, 2007

Yes they are there now but come summer most will be up on the divide.
Don

Califelkslayer · May 20, 2007

Sounds simular to 27 and i can tell you they were on top. I floated the river to get into remote country but had to spike to the top to get into elk. Was 10 years ago and about killed me. Now that I have horses, I've been thinking about going back for the last 2-3 years. Matter of fact, that may of been the hunt that made me buy horses.