SE Idaho Roadless

bookcliffs

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We didn't get a tag in Utah Bookcliffs or Arizona Kaibab. We're going on our first SE Idaho hunt with a new son-in-law. We've got mules and can pack in. Anyone know of a trail that would take us away from Snicker wrappers? We're thinking of 74, 75, 77. I'd stay another week if it is worth an elk tag. Sure appreciate any direction. Old pic of me and my son and my dad's 251 non-typical.
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I'm only a little familiar with those units. There's deer and elk but there's trails and roads all over also. You won't really be able to find places where others can't or won't be able to get to. It will be a matter of persistence and luck. Your mules will be very helpful. Let me know if there's other info I might be able to provide. I'm probably going to try the elk hunt in those units as I've recently moved to that area.
 
My new son-in-law is a captain in the Logan FD. He grew up in Blackfoot and is familiar with the area - and his buddies brought back some nice bucks last year, I think unit 77. I've hunted the Round Valley area south of Bear Lake in Utah against the Wyoming border and have seen moose and elk, but bagged a few nice larger bucks on horseback. I moved up to mules in the 1980's and that's been a big part of the hunt for me...getting away from ATV's, etc. I may have to rethink the units. Personally I want to hunt elk, but I'm being told there are more nice bucks in that area than bulls. Maybe someone else will shed some light. Thanks.
 
Sounds like you have a good resource. No matter what you decide I hope you have a good experience. I really enjoy Idaho. It's a state with good opportunity for sure.
 
I'm familar with that area. Hunted on a general tag a few times up to 2013. I left for the central part of the state because there were too many other hunters for my liking, and it got worse and worse each year. To be honest the SE area is fantastic country with great genetics but its frustrating to have other hunters on every ridge and in every bottom which makes the deer go into the timber. Last time I was there I had the biggest problem with guys on horses, they would ride right into the best slopes (off trail) and spook the deer. And you really cant get any further than about 4-5 miles from a trailhead/road so expect day hunters that hike in and out each day further than you would expect. Also being that its so close to the UT border it attracts many UT hunters to get a tag and hunt. It utlimately depends on what you are looking for in a hunt.
 
Take a look at 67 for adventure and pack in type hunting. You will still see other hunters but shouldn't hear 4 wheelers heading up every ridge. You could find a few areas in 76 to escape also but it will take some map study to find.

Drop your number here and I will text you a couple trailheads to look at.
 
My phone number: 602-418-7361

I have my mules in Utah for the summer and plan on scouting the last 2 weeks of August. I'm going into this blind, but the area my son-in-law, Kyle is considering is
Unit 77 - Sugar Creek and Maple Creek. He drove up there this week and stopped his truck to pick up some trash on the remote road. A guy that has a cabin in Maple Creek came out and they talked. He thanked him for picking up the beer bottles, etc. He took him in his cabin and talked to him about the area. He was in his late 60's and had 3 bucks on the wall over 30". Right now that is our only positive lead for an area to park and pack into. Any info that you have is much appreciated. Thanks for you help. Rollin
 
My mom and dad grew up in northern Utah and I lived in Brigham City for a while...now a semi-retired pool builder in AZ. My buddy and I have been trailering our mules to any western state we can get a tag, but never Idaho. We used to hunt every year in eastern Utah's Bookcliffs (before the draw) and after moving to AZ got tags almost every year on the Kaibab plateau (but now there are a zillion hunters putting in). Now that we're in our 70's a 10 to 15 mile pack in is a hell of a lot of work. Southern Idaho looks like a lot of roads, trails, and people, but we're hoping to find a pocket that we can set up a camp and not have ATV's and too much pressure. I respect guys that hike in and I understand why hunters use ATV's, but since I have the animals I want to get into roadless-type areas. This is an adventure in new country with a new son-in-law. We'll make do. thank you much for the response.
 

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