Idaho Unit 39 (do you know)

Nelly · Feb 12, 2008

OK, ALL i would like to do is talk with PM's but I'm wondering about wolves.
I left Id. 8 years ago when I joined the air force and NEXT year I want to hunt some old spots I have but I'm not sure of the wolves and hunting pressure. I don't want to know where everyone hunts (I have my own spot) just wondering what the the people and wolf pressure has done there in the past 8-9 years???????
I know in 39 there are alot of people, but we would drive on by all those people and then hike father then most would want to go. There were a group of old guys who hunted the same spot as me for a long time and they road trail 90's into the area. And that was all we ever saw in there, but like I said it has been a few years since i have been back, maybe this year during deer season I will make a trip out but I would like to find out all I can before I make the 10 hour drive.
Thannks for any advice!!!!!

CW

brymoore · Feb 13, 2008

The hunting pressure diminishes with every step you take away from the road.

There are wolves in the unit but I'm not convinced that they affect the animals as much as human hunting pressure.

If you have some good old spots, I'd say go visit them this year.

deerhuntr4885 · Feb 13, 2008

I think I know where you used to go. I have been hunting it myself for the past few years. There is a camp with a couple of brothers from CA that have been hunting the same area for over 30 years. They hunt on bikes and ride waaay back in there. I hunt it on horseback.

As for wolves...Last year we saw three run across the trail in front of us. We saw their tracks all over the place and we did not see nearly as many deer as years past. I heard snow crunching below us one morning but could not figure out what was making the noise. Walked over the hill and found a huge set of wolf tracks.

Mike Henne

gb22 · Feb 13, 2008

There are definitely wolves AND a lot of Bears. The deer population has taken a hit from something, but is still higher than much of the southern portion of the state....there simply are not as many lions as there are in other places.

There are probably less deer and more elk than you remember. I fear the soon-to-be-effect of the wolves.

Take a bear tag if you go.

Nelly · Feb 13, 2008

Thanks you guys for all the info, sounds like we should just go ahead and make the trip...
Were not looking to kill a world record just have a good hunt and come home safe and happy.....
Agian thanks everyone for all the info.

CW

Gator · Feb 18, 2008

Your deer tags is still good for Bears too so you can still have a good hunt. Good Luck.

Kentuck · Feb 18, 2008

I've hunted there the past two years. Saw more wolf sign this year but no wolves. I think the folks in the eastern part of the zone saw some. There were lots of coyote in our area. I would think if there were many wolves the coyotes would move on. Possibly. Lots more deer and elk this year than the year before. Talked to a guy at the wildlife area off of 21 one day and he said the early snows had more deer down low than what was normally there for that time of year. Plus, you have to take into account that over 300,000 acres burned about 30 miles northeast of Idaho City so some of the animals in 39 could have been there because of those fires.