Idaho Pioneer zone OT archery elk?

[adubs]

Hey fellas,

Didn't draw any tags this year and decided not to pay the ever increasing prices for a LO tag so we're considering an OTC Idaho elk hunt in the pioneer zone. I looked at diamnond creek but by the sounds of it, there are a ton of guys and ATV'ers running around and it makes it really hard to get away from people. I would like to talk to someone thats hunted in the pioneer zone and see what their overall experience was. I've already talked with the biologist from both areas a couple of times each but would like to talk to someone thats hunted it recently.

thanks,

Adubs

 

[elkboy32]

I have bowhunted in the Pioneer zone the last two years. It is a great area with a good elk population. That being said, I experienced more pressure there then other areas I have bowhunted in the state. It does have more road access then other units in the area, and the guys from bigger populated areas (Idaho Falls, Twin Falls) usually set up camp and spend some time in there. But there are plenty of elk to be had.

 

[Pooner]

Its a good unit, but it gets more and more people every year. I wouldn't rule out diamond creek, it is a good unit as well. I chased the biggest bull I ever have in my life in the diamond creek zone. Key word is chased, seems to be the story of my life though.

 

[Blank]

All of the zones in central and eastern Idaho have areas of excellent elk hunting, but as mentioned above they do get a lot of pressure. Remember, with no cap on non-res OTC archery tags, some places have 30-40% of all the hunters are NR's hunting in there, and a lot are prepared to stay the entire season until successful. Look at the success rates and you will see 18-22% in some archery areas. One often overlooked area is the Palisades zone, just because it can be much more difficult to access some of the areas back in there.

 

[Blank]

Thought I'd throw this back up to the top for informations sake, since several people have asked about or recommended the Diamond Creek Zone. It is one of the Elk Tag cap zones, and of the 631 NR "A" tags available, only 31 were left as of yesterday. All of the resident 1017 tags are left.

Good luck to everyone archery hunting this year.