Idaho muzzleloader elk

Jq23 · May 28, 2018

I'm deciding if I want to apply for a muzzy elk hunt in Idaho this year. I've been looking for information but there's just not a lot out there they I've found. I've been looking at units 66 and 39, but I am open to other units, just wondering if anyone had any info they would be willing to share.
Thanks

idhikker · May 29, 2018

If you want to kill a cow in 39 in September, you'll probably have to work for it--hike away from roads, get high, gain elevation--but there's a pretty good elk population in the unit. I'd say it's a good hunt and you'd have some fun likely hearing some bugling. A lot less crowded hunting there in September but there's a variety of other hunts going on still.

I'm not familiar with Eastern Idaho.

greatbasin · May 29, 2018

Get yourself a good rifle hunt and use a muzzleloader, any muzzleloader, that's what I did a few years back.

Blank · May 29, 2018

The muzzy elk hunt in SE Idaho is Oct. 1-9 in units 64/67 or 66/69. Keep in mind that IDFG screwed the muzzy hunters by opening the controlled ES rifle deer hunt on Oct. 5th. You will have early buck hunters in there competing with you which may or may not hurt your chances.

Jq23 · May 29, 2018

Thanks for the replies. I'm not interested in hunting cows. I want to hunt bulls. I think I'm going to look into the muzzy hunts that take place in November. There's a few units that have November hunts, I'm sure they are weather dependent.

greatbasin · May 30, 2018

Jq23, watch the stats of the Nov. hunt you apply for. The last one I did had 50 tags and one spike was the total harvest...just saying.
Bulls in some units will tolerate 3 ft. of snow before they even consider leaving. Good luck!