idaho pioneer zone?

[explorerss]

Hello, I am looking at doing an archery hunt in idaho next year and I am looking at the pioneer zone, unit 49 50 36 a. Anyone have any first hand experience hunting in these units?

[2011bullyelk]

Rugged country, steep terrain, holds quite a few elk. There are wolves that come and go. Some areas are accessible by truck or atv fairly readily, some areas accessible only by foot or horseback. I would say that 350 is probably the biggest bull one could find, maybe 360..... Good overall zone, I don't know why I don't hunt it, I hunt the smoky mountain zone across the highway. Depending on what goes down this year I may try the pioneer zone next year......

[Shawn Ryan]

Hunted 36a in 2001. Good hunt for us. 3/4 hunters had opportunities on 300+ bulls. Moderate to steep, huntable terrain by our standards (not boasting, just a different perspective; there are rocky crags with goats, but that is not where the elk were). Had a base camp at end of a dirt road and a spike camp up high. Did best when we hunted from the spike camp. Woke one morning to 12" of new powder at base camp and about 18" at spike camp in mid-September. Plenty of elk and few other hunters once we got away from the base camp valley that had dirt roads and atv trails. Sheep herds in the valley added flavor and didn't seem to bother the elk. Saw a photo of a 360-370 bull taken that year from 36a.

[explorerss]

Thanks for the info so far guys. I was gonna start out in unit 49. Got a few tips on a some spots to try out there but I have heard good things about 36 a as well. Are the numbers in this area doing good. Just a chance at seeing a 300+ bull would be good for me. I was gonna try and plan it towards the middle end of sept.

[2011bullyelk]

Yes the elk numbers in unit 49 and the pioneer zone in general are coming back very well since fish and game eliminated the spike hunt and we have collectively managed the wolves better (and are allowed to do so now). My buddies' wife took a 330 bull in 49 last year during the early rifle season (10 tags drawn during the peak of rut) I am seriously considering this zone for next year, I happen to live right here so it is convenient as well!

[explorerss]

Anybody have any luck in 49 this year yet? Would love to hear some stories.

[Lefty]

I was talking to a friend last night who will be rifle hunting the area again . His story: Right before he got married 25 years ago he and a bunch of buddies hunted 4 weeks, sort of their last big hunt/pack trip together.
He said they ran into a fellow from Missouri who back packed in, Kill a 300 bull, and was thrilled to pack it out himself,... they offered their horse,.. They guy wouldn't take the horns off his back, It was his hunt of a lifetime

[Calbuck]

I will hopefully have a story after the 49 rifle hunt...

[explorerss]

Cool can't wait to hear how your hunt goes, they have a limited draw on gun tags so should be a pretty good hunt. Good luck!