idaho unit 43

jeremie · Jul 15, 2008

Once again I was 0 for 18 in my draws this year so I figured I would go over and hunt Idaho.Units 43 and 48 are two of the units I am looking into becouse of the amount of country to get away from the crowds.I have also seen some dandy bucks taken out of there.Been looking at my maps and a coyple areas that are looking good to me are just north of carrietown in the big peak and baker peak area. Just wondering what you guys new about this area or am I wasting my time loohing around there.Thank you for any information .

htnfool · Jul 16, 2008

Jeremie,

Do you have horses? They are your ticket into that area. Very steep and rugged. If you are backpacking, it will take 1 day to pack in, that's the easy part. Mountains go straight up from there. If you get an elk down it will take 3 days with 2 guys to pack him out. I now this for a fact.

I have been hunting that area for 11 years, usually every september for bulls. Elk are scattered and they move a lot. It has taken us 6 years to really learn that area, still learning. Deer are very rare in those areas. NEVER shot at one, seen a couple of good bucks (150-160 class).

The elk used to be very good in there. From what I have heard and seen. there are 2 wolf packs, one in Lick creek (elk winter ground) and one around Norton peaks, check your maps,just north of Baker. I think they have taken there toll. We used to see 15/20 bulls and 100 cows per year in there, now down to last years all time low of 4 bulls and 30 cows, in 15 days of hunting, totally sucked. There was a group of 9 cows with no bulls on Sept 22nd and a group of 5 cows and no bulls on the 25th. WTF. Did see 1 six-point that would go 260 class. I never had a chance.

I think this will be my last year in there to take out our camp and find another area to learn. If I were you I would look elsewhere that is better. Wolves have definately infected that area. There sign is everywhere and howling is a couple times a week. It makes me sick. I love the area and it's remoteness. Lots of good memories up there.

If you hunt it, I will be on channel 1. THere usually isn't anyone else who hunts up there, too damn tough to hunt and learn. We got lucky and found an old timer who helped us out.

Hope this helps you

Scott

gb22 · Jul 16, 2008

He's right about the wolves and drastically-reduced elk numbers. There are still elk and some deer. I've taken a couple of good ones in the last couple of years.

Unit 43 has a LOT of ground that is legal for 4 wheelers.

packerhorse · Jul 17, 2008

Jeremie

I used to hunt area 43 for mulie's every year I could draw, and a buddy that of mine that live's in Wendell used to Elk hunt it with his family. We both haven't stepped foot in that area in over 6 years because of the Wolves. NO DEER>>> NO ELK BUMMER we used to really love hunting there but until Idaho F&G put a bounty on the wolves that area will probably remain the same

brdhuntr · Jul 17, 2008

you might want to check the harvest statistics on the Idaho F&G web-site, some ones having success, probably the one's that get off the trails and aren't afraid to walk..

jeremie · Jul 17, 2008

Thank you guys for all your info.sorry I did not reply sooner I have been very busy at work.It will be a back pack hunt for deer and the steep rugged country does not bother me a bit as long as I am not wasting my time hunting where there is no deer.That is why I am trying to get as much info on these units before I waste a season in an area where the deer are not.Once again thank you for all the info.

Blank · Jul 17, 2008

Was just there over the Fourth for 3 days. Lots of ATV and motorcycle traffic. We saw quite a few deer up on the hillsides at first light and in the evenings. Disappeared into the quakies after a half hour. Nice bucks down low around the water at Worswick, Lick Creek, and on the South Fork. Only dinks coming to the salt lick at the cabin.

BPKHunter · Jul 18, 2008

I'm not looking to argue with anyone, but it is not uncommon to hear people comment that much of the country north of Camas Prairie has been taken over by wolves and you can't find any decent animals, yet isn't that the same herds that migrate down into some of the most coveted draw hunts in the state, Units 44 and 45? Where are those animals coming from? I know this is referring to two Mtn's, not that whole country. Are the wolves geographically isolated? Seems to me they would move with the game? I'm not a biologist, just curious?

jeremie · Jul 21, 2008

bpkhunter that is something I was wondering as well becouse I was under the same impresion that many of the big bucks that are on 44 and 45 come from units 39, 43 ,48. That is one of the reasons I started looking into this area.

Idahogrinder · Jul 23, 2008

I live in Mtn. Home and have spent a ton of time in 39 and 43. Plenty of deer, I say again plenty of deer. Don't be afraid to get off the roads. There is a ton of hunters, yet there is big deer killed up there every year. Like its been said, it is very rough country, esp. over by Trinity Mtn. I like hunting the draws around Little Roaring, but it burned good a few years ago but should be greening up good this year. Matter of fact My buddy and I watched a hunter walk 100 yds from a 26 inch 4x4, not a toad but a nice deer, and never even saw it...They are smart in that area b/c a large portion of out of staters hunt that area b/c its a 2hr drive from Boise. Yes the come off 39 and 43 and winter over in 44 and 45, and even stay on the 39 side of HWY 20. My buddy got a 28.5 inch 4x4 off 39 in the late archery hunt, so they're there. Shoot me a pm if you need some help!!