36A-1 & 2

Has anyone elk hunted 36A-1 or 36A-2 recently? I've hunted near the East Fork of the Salmon River in the past, but have not made it back to that area in just under 15 years. I'm curious as to how the Elk herd is doing in recent years. I've heard that the wolves have pretty much wiped them off the map in the areas of Longtom Crk and West Pass Crk. Can anyone give any info on how it looks from a hunting aspect?

My in-laws own some property in the East Fork of the Salmon River. I have done a bit of exploring all around the drainage. I think the elk herd took a big hit after the wolves were introduced, but I think the herd is starting to stabilize. I talked to a F&G guy last year. They were taking out some dogs in the Sheep Creek area. It was the largest recorded pack in the state.

Really cool country and some elk are there. Probably different hunting then the early 2000's

I hope that the Elk herd has stabilized.....I would love to return to Sheep Crk, West Pass, and Longtom for another archery Elk hunt in the future....the country up there is just awesome.

The elk herds are doing great, in fact above objective. I live in Challis and have first hand knowledge of the unit. Not sure where longtom crk is as the northend of the forest has one. Try not to believe everything the outfitters say. Both good units but do require some walking effort. Draw unit for elk, worth the hunt.

My grandson and i have the October 1st extra cow tag,and a friend has the bull tag. My grandson also drew the 48-1 early Sept. rifle tag with only 10 tags available,that should be an awesome hunt !

>My grandson and i have the
>October 1st extra cow tag,and
>a friend has the bull
>tag. My grandson also drew
>the 48-1 early Sept. rifle
>tag with only 10 tags
>available,that should be an awesome
>hunt !

Yep, you guys are in for some good times...

Hi HuntninTaxidermy,

I've hunted the 36A-1 side on and off over the last 12 years or so (including summer hiking). As you know it's beautiful country. I think the elk are doing fine ? as Hornguy said. What I have noticed and you should be prepared for is the archery hunting pressure (number of hunters) has grown quite a bit, particularly over the last 5 years. Again, I can't speak to the 36A-2 side, but on the 36A-1 side some of the draws I have hunted are getting more and more crowded. If you have horses you can probably bypass some of this, but if you are hunting on foot you're going to have to deal with it. I really wish they would make the archery tag a controlled hunt as well. I did manage to draw the either sex muzzleloader tag, so we'll see what that is all about ? I haven't been in the unit in November so that will be a new experience for me. Good luck to you!

idgator,

Make sure you have a phonescope. You will be distracted by all the deer that turn up. Big bucks in the rut. Some very big bucks.

That's great to hear, I hope to draw that bull tag again one day.....as far as Longtom crk, I'm not sure of that's the name, I know one of the trailhead was called Longtom...though most of my time has been spent in the West Pass Creek drainage

I'm not sure if something happened and I have become blind in my old age, or if the deer and elk have moved somewhere else. I have spent 20 plus days for 14 years hunting and scouting that area. All of those days have been spent on the mountain, not at the bottom. I have seen monster bulls back in 2009-10 and some pretty nice bucks in the early 2000's. But I will tell you, the quality of the unit has changed for the worst. I have had trail cameras on the mountain for the past 5 years and I am seeing decreased numbers of deer every year and something is going on with the elk herd. The big bulls we hunted in the first 2006-10 are gone. I heard that 2010 the big bulls got shot up pretty bad. From what I have seen I believe it. If you are looking to get a bull over 270" you will work for it. But any 6 point bull in Idaho should score 250"+. I keep telling my partners that there are easier areas to kill bulls that size.
I have never had so many different bears on on trail camera than in the last 2 years. The elk numbers are definitely taking a hit. The area used to be awesome for big bucks. But this was back in the 80's. I talk to the old timers up there and they all describe the procession of bucks migrating during the heavy winter snows. It must have been a sight. I wish I would have been around back then, cause I have never seen that.
I'm wondering if the predator numbers are the cause for the lack of animals. I know one of the ranchers had his horse killed by a pack of wolves 3 years ago. That doesn't happen very often and likely a result of increased competition within the predators for food. There could also be someone poaching up there. We took a ride early this year and found 3 different cows dead on the road up different canyons. Why they were all on the road dead I cannot explain. I wish people would help manage the resource by purchasing a license and harvest legally.
Sorry about my ranting about the areas problems, but I have always loved hunting and scouting the area. But last year we started talking about moving on. If this area doesn't improve this year we probably won't be back. I have trailcams on the mtn now and will check them in 10 days. Keeping my fingers crossed...

How's that hunt going for you?

I was just there and saw a herd of probably 300+. everyone seemed to be seeing elk.

Travis
www.SkullHanger.com

>I was just there and saw
>a herd of probably 300+.
> everyone seemed to be
>seeing elk.
>
>Travis
>www.SkullHanger.com


Hey Travis, my grandson and i have the 36a x cow tag,and could you pm me any in.fo. It would be appreciated, Thanks

Travis,thanks for the information.