I need your wisdom, friends. Idaho Antelope & Elk

2323555 · Jun 20, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-19 AT 00:02AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-19 AT 11:22?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-19 AT 11:22?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-19 AT 11:19?PM (MST)

Hello,

This is my first post, and certainly new to this forum, or any hunting forum for that matter.

I'm a self taught, and avid, outdoorsmen who began hunting 5 years ago. I started by myself - no one hunts in my family.

I've now gotten two of my close friends into this incredible sport, and conservation, for the last two years.

New season, zeroed rifles, and fresh gear for them both - we quite literally see everything EXCEPT the game we're attempting to harvest.

I spent nearly 5 days glassing 2 units, driving out nearly 7 hours to the end of unit 39, see so much potential and game, but see nothing but does and elk when it's opening day.

HERE?S WHERE I NEED YOUR ADVICE:

I'm going for an August Cow Elk in unit 54. I have hunted in unit 46 for Antelope with success, but never in 54. I want to take out one of those friends and get him an animal down. He?s a chef, and would do incredible things with the meat, and your first harvest doesn't have to be a monster with a rack.

Any advice on generally where I should begin looking?

I'm currently in London, England for work, but will be returning on the 21st.

I've spent hours checking the unit via OnX, but some local help would be fantastic.

Thank you in advance!

BPKHunter · Jun 21, 2019

So, in summary, you want some help on how to kill a cow in 54?

dz · Jun 21, 2019

Good for you!!! I do not know much about 54 cow hunt, but what I heard is that some farms are having trouble with the Elk raiding the fields. So you might knock some doors and talk to the local F&G. I too was the only one in my family to hunt. Long learning curve for me but 40+ years later it has been a great journey. A little advice is to get good at looking at the numbers. For me if success rate is above 20% and the animals are there, not all on private or migratory then I feel like I can go get one. Get used to hiking in the dark. I like to be 3 miles from the closest road or trail when it gets light or gets dark. Good luck!

DZ

ramrod8541 · Jun 21, 2019

Since you're doing the August hunt for cows just make sure you are outside of National Forest land. That pretty much leaves you the private land along the foothills south of Murtaugh, Hansen, and Kimberly. The best bet, like the guy said before is to start knocking on farmers doors. Pretty much anywhere there is a corn field bordering the public land is a good start to look since the elk use that corn to hangout. Your hardest part is going to be getting permission since most of those farmers get depredation tags and give them to family and friends. Anyways, good luck and hope you get into some.

Soccerdude · Jun 21, 2019

When the ID draw comes out and you have the tag let us know. I have lived in and hunted 54 in the past. Safe travels for work.

ramrod8541 · Jun 21, 2019

Pretty certain he is referring to the open cow hunt in August but I may be wrong.

Soccerdude · Jun 21, 2019

>Pretty certain he is referring to
>the open cow hunt in
>August but I may be
>wrong.

He might be...I probably jumped the gun.

2323555 · Jun 25, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jun-26-19 AT 00:51AM (MST)[p]Yes, sir!

Wow, I just saw all these replies, I thought I was going to be notified via email? Still getting use to forums.

So, I, and my close friend, just drew 4017 - Pronghorn either sex for unit 54! I'm shaking with excitment! It's going to be mighty hard not to fill this tag, from the success rates I've read about.

Now for the cow elk, I'm certainly aware of the boundaries around the Idaho National Forest. My plan was to do a lot of scouting once I land back home, and find anything that's BLM, and as close to the border of The National Forest as I can get.

My main worries is that due to the weather, and the beginning of the rut, most Elk are going to by much higher elevation - and in The National Forest until Winter and snow.

Thank you for all your replies!

Best,

-A

2323555 · Jun 25, 2019

Thanks for the tips! Greatly appreciated.

2323555 · Jun 25, 2019

Thank you for your reply, sir.

I just drew the 4017 for Pronghorn, either sex, on 54.

I replied with more detail to the first gentleman above your post.

Any tips welcome from a local!

Thanks again.