Area 39 Prarie

TheHotDuke · Sep 8, 2016

Has anyone hunted up in Prairie in area 39?
Scouted some up there didn't see much. We followed the rd clear but to the top of the mountain to trinity lakes look out. Didn?t go up to the lookout but the rd right by it that goes over the top. Beautiful country. At the top there is a meadow like area that has a couple of little watering holes in there anyone know what I'm talking about? Does anyone know if that basin empty?s out down to the road below? Also looked right around prairie on Strawberry loop not much sign.
Thanks for any direction or history on area 39.

idhikker · Sep 8, 2016

Hey Duke,

Deer or elk hunting? I think the advice is different depending on the species.

TheHotDuke · Sep 8, 2016

Sorry Cow elk hunting starting 10/5

TheHotDuke · Sep 8, 2016

Sorry Cow elk hunting starting 10/5

idhikker · Sep 8, 2016

Duke,

I think you're going to want to be at least 6500 feet of elevation, so I wouldn't be down low near Prairie--I'm not surprised you didn't see any sign near Strawberry. Cows could be found anywhere, but I think that would increase your odds of seeing them. You could definitely try cow calling and bugling during the first week of the hunt, especially the first few days, because the rut will be still going to some degree. Listen for bugling.

Trinity Ridge area should be good. You could also check out some of the roads towards the Middle Fork of the Boise-- Slide Gulch Road as it heads toward Rattlesnake Mountain, Road Creek Road near Alexander Flat, etc. If you aren't seeing anything, I would head closer to Atlanta.

PM me if you need more help. I'd love a PM letting me know how your hunt goes.

TheHotDuke · Sep 8, 2016

Thank you sure will do. yea we are looking at hunting just below throncreek butte as well. First year hunt for my two boys so will be exciting either way

idhikker · Sep 8, 2016

Duke,

Sounds good. You'll have fun and I hope I hear that you score on a cow.

I am skeptical of Thorn Creek Butte. I know, and the local biologist has told me, that people kill elk around Thorn Creek every year, but I don't know how. My two cents is that it would be hard to find an elk there in October before the migration. There's a resident population, but maybe more four-wheelers than elk in the area. Some learn its secrets though and find some good pockets.

The North Fork of the Boise area, FS Road 384 or 327, is good stuff, too. However, that's all shut down with the big fire restrictions going on.

Trinity Ridge would probably be better because it's farther in, larger population, etc. If you want other options, look closer to Atlanta.

BPKHunter · Sep 8, 2016

Can't tell for sure but sounds like your just driving the roads. If so that's okay if you know the kind of country you need to look for, but to find elk you need to get off the roads. Elk don't like people and they don't like roads.

IdaMatt · Sep 9, 2016

The elk are pretty evenly spread through the unit, high and low. Prairie is good place to look, just go for a nice hike off the roads for a couple miles and you will find your target!

idhikker · Sep 9, 2016

Matt,

You seem to really know your stuff, so I trust you some, but what is your evidence of the elk being evenly spread throughout the unit high and low. Have you seen many cows/elk down low?

My experience and talking with the biologists has pointed me to higher elevation until migration. I know elk are where you find them and there's some now in low country, but I wouldn't expect anyone to say evenly spread high and low.

I appreciate your help here.

TheHotDuke · Sep 9, 2016

Hey Matt,

Thanks for the pointers. We did hike in a ways on one of the turn offs on that strawberry loop rd. Saw some deer sign but not much elk Hiked back quite a ways. Also Up there in the Thorne creek area, also got off the road there and saw a little bit of new signed and lots of medium to old sign there and it was heavy.
Its amazing how much ground there is to cover up there by trinity lake. there is an amazing stretch where you can see such a broad expanse of country really got excited.
the only thing I worry about as being novices is making sure we don't get in somewhere where we can't pack out and protect the meat. I'll be excited to see how we do.

brymoore · Sep 9, 2016

>Matt,
>
>You seem to really know your
>stuff, so I trust you
>some, but what is your
>evidence of the elk being
>evenly spread throughout the unit
>high and low. Have you
>seen many cows/elk down low?
>
>
>My experience and talking with the
>biologists has pointed me to
>higher elevation until migration. I
>know elk are where you
>find them and there's some
>now in low country, but
>I wouldn't expect anyone to
>say evenly spread high and
>low.

>
>I appreciate your help here.

The elk are spread through out the unit. Bulls will be higher but I'm seeing cows down to 3200 feet.

IdaMatt · Sep 9, 2016

I live in the unit, and drive to Boise for work every day. Trust me, there are LOTS of elk down low, don't over think it........

IdaMatt · Sep 9, 2016

Trinity Lake area is so so, most of the elk are far off the roads from the dirt bike trails, plenty of elk around Thorne Creek, just drop off the top.

Pre64 · Sep 11, 2016

Snow makes a huge difference.

andrew12gauge · Sep 12, 2016

My primary elk spot in unit 39 is around 3500-5500 feet in elevation. I see elk there year round, including some large bulls. I didn't hunt it last year due to lack of time and won't be hunting it again this year but if I do decide to hunt in unit 39 again for elk one day I am sure I will find elk there again. The biggest key in my opinion to finding elk in 39 is getting away from the road. No matter the elevation you will rarely find elk close to the roads. 39 sees so much pressure I rarely see deer close to the road

TheHotDuke · Sep 13, 2016

Spoke with a Wildlife biologist out of the region three office in Nampa. She confirmed what you said as well. Said she was in on the tagging og tons of Elk early spring in the Cotton wood area says there are Elk all over. Just have to "hunt them" lol that's what we plan to do!! will give an update of how it goes.

thank again

TheHotDuke · Oct 17, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Oct-17-16 AT 01:39PM (MST)[p]Well were down to about 2 weeks left in our Cow Elk hunt. We've had some fun hiking and trying to find the Elk (mostly around the Thorne butte Area)and have gone in to deep timber as well as finding places where they drink but have not seen one Elk, well take that back one night in the dark coming back to camp we saw and Elk butt lol. We've also looked pretty heavily at cottonwood area but right now it is thick with Deer hunters. We might have another one or 2 days to try to find one. Anyone else been up in area 39-1 and seen Elk in their travels?

thanks
James

P.S on a side note I and the GF filled our Deer tags in the Owyhee's I got a 2x3 and she got a spike have seen some great animals up in the 2 pt only unit. hope to get my boys deer at least this year if the Elk don't come to fruition.

idhikker · Oct 17, 2016

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't had any luck yet. Keep at it and nice work on the Owyhee deer.

I've always had a bad experience with Cottonwood, have spent plenty of time there and had far less results than normal. A unit 39 biologist has agreed.

Maybe try closer to Atlanta. While there are honey holes all over unit 39, I see many more elk in that area.

idhikker · Jan 14, 2017

Hot Duke, I have been wondering how this turned out. Hopefully 39 didn't scare you away. The unit gets easier with more time learning its secrets.

TheHotDuke · Jan 17, 2017

yea we goose egged the cow hunt but learned a lot and will see what this years draws bring us. We had some fun. My Son was able to get his first deer ever in unit 39 a real nice 2X2. Excited about this coming year.

thanks for all your responses

idhikker · Jan 17, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-17 AT 10:42PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the update. The most important part is getting out with family so there's no loss. I enjoy your excitement about teaching your kids.