DIY Bull Elk hunt

Any one know anything about Idaho elk unit #76?  I'm planning a DIY Elk hunt for 2011 and I'm trying to find the best unit.  Where are there a good number of Bulls?  What is the terrain like?  Anything you could tell me would be greatly appriciated. 

Thanks
Bow_hunt

Colorado is your best bet. Lots of places ot go and get a bull. Do your homework well and get in to a descent spot. You may have to get in the back country for a good one but it will be worth it. Gun or bow? I believe Idaho has over the counter tags for the gen seasons as well. New Mexico has gen tags also if I'm not mistaken for archery. If you go to the state fish and game depts and you will be able to find what you need for your hunt. Here is what Steve had posted up top for everyones needs:

Just click on any link below and it will get you were you need to be for licensing info.


Alabama Division of Game and Fish 
64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130

The only states I know of are Colorado for some of their seasons and Idaho has a first-come-first served sale of tags in some units that go on sale on December 1 for the following year.  They sell out within 30 days most of the time.

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Topgun, Thanks for the info.  I did find that Idaho sells their tags over the counter.  I'm planning on doing and archery hunt.  I had thought that CO was draw only but I'm gonna be looking into the information that you gave me.  Thanks
 bow_hunt

the archery tag should be OTC - and the elk numbers ought to be good (but I can't help you with specifics)

Ya gotta love Idaho. Some great things on their F&G website. One of these day's, God willing, I can move to a state like that!!!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Idaho is an elk hunters dream state. Maybe not the numbers of elk that Colorado has. But, the chance of killing a big bull there is greater there, I think, than Colorado. Due to the fact that you have to go so far into the bush in Co. to get a chance at the bigger bulls. Idaho has lower elevations, up to 6500 ft. but very steep and rugged in places. Try to look at the pan handle region, above Cour De Lane. I think you'll have better chances there to score on a big bull.

Jerry Casper- Hollywood's Taxidermy
704-639-7043
Salisbury, NC

Yea, Jerry, I have been eyeing the panhandle region of Idaho for more than a year. Particularly the Sandpoint area on Lake pend Oreille, a very beautiful place to live with tons of wildlife to hunt and fishing for huge rainbow trout too. Sure beats hot, muggy, congested, illegal alien infested Florida.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

hey nep - there's moose up there in the panhandle, too!

Hey everyone thanks for the Great info.  I'll be looking into it all.  both CO and ID sound like great spots, and as much as I want to archery hunt, I think I'm going to end up taking the ole 06 out for my first yr. and see where that leads us.  My group is talking about making this an annual event so I'll get the chance to shoot one with the bow eventually.  Thanks for everything and if any one has any info on decent GMU's in CO that would be great. 
 
Bow_hunt

bow_hunt
I have a couple of spots in Idaho for you to look into. The places I would suggest are just west of Afton and Freedom, Wy. Both of these places have BLM land and have a good pop of elk in them. They are fairly easy accessible and have good habitat for elk. I hunted both places and saw elk everytime out. They have a descent pop of Muley's also. One other place is up by Challis, in the Salmon river system. That country is tough hunting unless you're a goat. It is steep and rugged but has some of the biggest bulls in the state. Get in shape man if you're gonna hunt there. The other 2 places are alot easier to get around in. They have some steep hills but nothing that you could not hunt in. Get yourself a couple of good topo's for those areas and you'll see that it is not too bad. Elk Valley, west of Freedom is great. Lots of elk.  Good luck man. 

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

ORIGINAL: txbhunter1@sbcglobal

Elk Valley ... Lots of elk. 

I wish all names were so helpful.  I've been to many places with names that were a bit misleading!

I've been to this place and saw for myself. Problem was I did not have an elk tag. Opening morning, we had to find a tree to hide behind as to not get run over after the first shot was fired. I have seen several herds up there with 60- 80 head of elk ea. ANd some of the surrounding mts have lots of elk also. You will also see moose,grizz,black bears and lots of Muley's up there. Just outside of Freedom there is an elk farm that the rancher has issues with the wild elk coming down when the cow's go into heat. They get in his fence and tear the hell out of it. It is also home to the Freedom Arms Co.   Pic's coming out of the BLM land outside Freedon,Wy.

[image]local://273/DA9405B4392242A6B8ECA07A65DFB0DC.jpg[/image]

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Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

You could also look up and around Island Park. It has good num's of elk, but gets pertty populated when they are in rut by hunters.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

I think there might be a shooter in that bunch!

OK - maybe more than one!

WOW!!! Awesome picture Gary. No permit huh???? That is one of those "so close, yet so far" moments.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

You guys have no idea of how close we were to the herd and the herd bull on opening morning. We left camp at 3:30 am, took a 25 mile ride by 4 wheeler into the back country. We hiked from 4:30 to just before daylight to get up top and that was a constant uphill climb only to have them so close buy yet so far. We actually had to find trees to hide behind there were so many in amounst us after that first shot. We were after deer but since the elk were there, we figured the deer would be also. We watched them everyday and you could almost set your clock in the afternoons to 5:45 when they would come out into the sage flats and hillsides. It was amazing. I may try and go back this next yr and go after them again. This time, I will get the tags myself and not let my buddy take care of that for me. With buddies like that who needs enemies right?  LMAO 

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

So Tx. Was that Idaho or Wy.? If you ever make it back that way and you are looking for a partner let me know. I been thinking about venturing out sometime. I just never knew where to go. Plus with the move out here funds were kinda tight. Now we are starting to settle in and I'm nearing an increase in vacation time.

In that area, you kind of have to watch where you walk or you'll be in Wy.  LOL That place we hunt is right on the border. Look for Afton, and Freedom and you'll see what I mean about the border being so close.  LMAO. I'll definately give you a buzz man when I get back up there.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

Bow_hunt and deadeye,
 Here is a google overview of elk valley in Idaho. You can get the GPS coords from the map. I don't remember what the excact unit num is, but this and the Challis area as far as I'm concerned have the best elk num's. This area is also not as rugged and rough as the Challis area. This spot is sw of Afton,Wy. You would take Crow Creek Rd to get back into it. There are plenty of places to camp back in there also with good running streams nearby.  Have a look guys.


[image]local://273/AA4E442EDACC461EAD73B2BC4A587D9E.jpg[/image]

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Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

Looks interesting. I got a bud back in Wis. that comes out here as often as he can and would like to try Idaho. Is thata draw tag area? Thanx for the info, I'll check it out.

Man, I've got to hunt Idaho one of these days!

Checked it on the map and it is only about 4-5 hrs. away from my home. I have driven farther for just the weekend to hunt deer. That bud of mine from Wis. has an invite from a rancher to hunt right in that area. May have to get him to do a follow up on that.

If you look at the google map of Afton, and go a bit SW of town proper, you will see a cemetary. JUst west of that cemetery is where the BLM land starts. You may even be able to pick out the elk farm if you look close.  LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is a great area to hunt in man. I have done it several times. ONe of the guys I know out there has taken a bull during the archery season every yr just west of the cemetary in open pasture. They come down for the hay in the evenings. Archery is OTC but gun is a draw. They have 2 seasons for gun also. The first is just a few coveted tags and then the reg season has about 3500 tags I believe, both of which are drawings. Good luck man and good luck to your fellow cheesehead.  LOL  What is your buddies name? It is not Wally is it?    FYI, for any of y'all that use this spot to harvest an animal, my consulting fee's are cheap. Just 1 backstrap per animal harvested.  LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Good luck all.....

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

Consulting fees my rear!  With all the information you gave out, the only thing you haven't done is pull the trigger for them, LOL!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

yeah, you're making it awfully tempting to just go there this year!

Well then top, I'll raise it to 1 strap and a roast.  LOL!!!!!!

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

All I can say is there were some damn big bulls in that picture you posted!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Nope, not Wally. Pat Smith. He is a big dog in the Carpenters union. We been chasing critters together since we were kids.

I do know a Wally down state though. In the archery club. Big Big boy, electrician.

Tx, Afton is in Wy. so are we hunting Idaho or Wy.?

from what I could tell, this is in Idaho - sw of Afton, WY

Thats kinda what I got out of it too. Just wanted to be sure. I'm already making plans.

well, rick, if he keeps telling you all the info, you won't need him any more!

I've already waited long enough. But if you want to catch up with me later Tx I'll have a cold beer waitin for ya.

Tx,
I did some looking on the website for Idaho. It appears archery is about the only way to go. They only have 25 cow permits for rifle that I can find. Now I see why your buddy always gets his bull with the bow. But thats alright. Even better actually. The seasons don't conflict with the seasons here too bad. And the Queen didn't protest too bad.

I think I just found 12 bull tags under controlled hunts. Still looks like archery is the way to go.

Yeah, we hunt the Idaho portion. I told you Afton just so you would have a ref for where. Archery is the only way to go man. Plenty of tags and not all that much compitition. Plenty of good places with good animal counts and quality. Easy access also for the most part. Sorry bud, been chasing hogs all weekend with the dogs.  By the way his name is Wally Koslowski, from the Roche Cri Bowhunters Club and around the Adams-Freindship area.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

easy tags, not much hunting competition, lots of animals, good access - it sounds great

I can't imagine why this place isn't loaded with hunters

You guys are all Great.  Thanks for some awesome information.  TX, you have def. made trying to plan an elk hunt while deployed to Iraq ALOT easier.  I'm thinking archery elk in Idaho next yr is def where we will be.  Hope you all had a good weekend and hope you got some good hogs there TX.