Lets go to Idaho!

[cliffyj]

So my hunting partner has finally agreed to chance some elk again this fall after a few years off. His only stipulation was that the trip must be Oct 15 thru Oct 23. Colorado was out due to the first rifle season ending Oct 19, and we decided to save our points in WY for a later hunt a few years down the road. So we have chosen to hunt Idaho this fall. The only problem is we both have never been there and are trying to understand the regulations / looking to find a spot. Could anyone give us some insight into quality of areas and hunter pressure? I have been reading Idaho's elk plan but also looking for another source of information. It will be a DIY hunt, on foot, coming from MN.

[wunder6]

I can give you a whole lot of knowledge just my three years of archery hunting Idaho. The first two years we hunted the Panhandle east of CDA. The country is rough and steep. We had plenty of chances at bulls but couldn't connect. The pressure in our experience was minimal. This past season we were forced to move due fire closures. We ended up down by Island Park. That was totally different terrain. Not mearly as steep and thick. There were plenty of elk around but that comes with a draw back. In my opinion it wad very crowded. I'm sure there are places that it isn't as bad but we threw this trip together at the last minute. I'm hoping to go back to the Panhandle if I can talk my partner into it.

[cliffyj]

Thanks for the info wunder6! This is exactly the info that I am looking to get. I wonder if there is a good resource out the giving info on past fires? With me coming from MN I have never hunted that far north in the mountains. Could you give a guess as to what the average weather would be like out there mid October?

[wunder6]

Last year i contacted the Forest Service and they sent me a map of the area I requested with all known fires in the last five years. Just don't wait like I did. Those guys get pretty busy in the summer especially if there are active fires.

[Lefty]

cliffyj
Im a former Minnesota boy ( North Mankato)
What type of hunt are you looking at?
If you want an intense somewhat remote, and steep country not as many hunters there are many sweet spots in Idaho. They can be very physical but offer a unique experience . Park your truck. I can put you in a basin with 1200-2000 elevation drop ( Or gain) the first 1 1/2 miles in with elk if you have mountain legs, and there are lots of places similar through out the state. Put a camp in the bottom and you would be in the elk most of the time,.. A bit of blow down and burn,.but that keeps the horseman out
Island Park is flat in comparison.
We vacation every year in the area. Ill send you GPS coordinates
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/hun ... mapcenter/

[MTLongdraw]

Cliffy,
You can also use caltopo.com. In the upper right hand corner there is a legend. If you drag your cursor over that a drop down menu will come up and one of the options is Fire History. Haven't played with it a ton but it is very helpful.

[cliffyj]

Lefty,

We plan to pack into an area and hunt from foot everyday. If we need to move camp, we will but more than likely wont pack back to the truck until its time to leave. If we could find an area that is not a walk in the park to get too (2-3 miles), doesn't have hunters on every vantage point, and has a few elk to view, we would be happy. None of us in the group have ever had a shot at an elk, so if the area gives us this chance, that would be great. It might be very vague, but any info will help us learn more about the state. Thank you for the PM.

[cliffyj]

MTLongDraw,

Caltopo looks to be a great resource. Thank you for pointing this out.

[Lefty]

Lefty,

We plan to pack into an area and hunt from foot everyday. If we need to move camp, we will but more than likely wont pack back to the truck until its time to leave. If we could find an area that is not a walk in the park to get too (2-3 miles), doesn't have hunters on every vantage point, and has a few elk to view, we would be happy. None of us in the group have ever had a shot at an elk, so if the area gives us this chance, that would be great. It might be very vague, but any info will help us learn more about the state. Thank you for the PM.

Or keep driving to the end of the south road, Maybe not as isolated as Idaho gets,.. but only the hardcore hikers hit that trail
It will all be a real experience, you just need to be in top shape