DIY Idaho Elk Hunt 2010
02-08-2010, 11:33 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 8
DIY Idaho Elk Hunt 2010
I recently moved to the state (from ND where I bowhunted whitetails) and I'm trying to get a DIY archery elk hunt planned for this fall. I've never hunted elk before and I'm pretty fired up. I'm hoping some of you with experience in Idaho, or elk in general, can lend a hand.
Location:
I think I've narrowed down to a couple areas. I'm hoping to do a backpack hunt in order to get away from most hunters, but travel distance is also a consideration. I'm trying to decide between middle Idaho (Frank Church wilderness) or Island Park Zone in the east. Harvest percentages look good, as well as percentage of bulls over 6points (any elk would do me just fine, though) but what the statistics can't tell me is what it's actually like to hunt there. I plan on calling the regional biologists but does anyone have experience they can share?
As an aside, am I reading the regs wrong or is there no archery only hunt in the Frank Church?
Methods:
I'm reading/watching as much as I can about archery elk hunting. Practicing my calls and whatnot. My question is: Are these methods still valid in Idaho? I've heard people saying that because of wolf populations that elk are staying quiet. Is my dream of calling in a bull unlikely of coming true or are people looking for excuses?
Thanks for your help.
IFH
Location:
I think I've narrowed down to a couple areas. I'm hoping to do a backpack hunt in order to get away from most hunters, but travel distance is also a consideration. I'm trying to decide between middle Idaho (Frank Church wilderness) or Island Park Zone in the east. Harvest percentages look good, as well as percentage of bulls over 6points (any elk would do me just fine, though) but what the statistics can't tell me is what it's actually like to hunt there. I plan on calling the regional biologists but does anyone have experience they can share?
As an aside, am I reading the regs wrong or is there no archery only hunt in the Frank Church?
Methods:
I'm reading/watching as much as I can about archery elk hunting. Practicing my calls and whatnot. My question is: Are these methods still valid in Idaho? I've heard people saying that because of wolf populations that elk are staying quiet. Is my dream of calling in a bull unlikely of coming true or are people looking for excuses?
Thanks for your help.
IFH
02-08-2010, 03:02 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 138
I have family and friends in idaho. they along with lots of other folks have said that the Frank Church area is riddled with wolves..
i could e wrong, but im pretty confident of my sources.
maybe someone else has a better idea on it though.
i could e wrong, but im pretty confident of my sources.
maybe someone else has a better idea on it though.
02-08-2010, 07:17 PM
#4
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 8
So, sounds like Idaho hunts are going to be tough due to wolf populations? Is it so bad that I should look into another state? Seems a shame to leave when my backyard holds so much potential.
Thanks everyone for your input.
02-09-2010, 01:44 AM
#5
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 81
I don't feel slighted. I just rarely throw out much information on these forums. You seemed like you sincerely wanted to learn so I was merely trying to help.
Wolves are a problem, and it is getting worse. I still hunt Idaho because I am a resident and have learned enough country that I can generally find some game if I put in the work and time. I suggest you get out this spring and cover as many places as you can. Where you find elk in June may not be where they are in September, but you can at least see what the country has to offer before making up your mind. Plus, hiking in the summer will get you in shape for fall.
Wolves are a problem, and it is getting worse. I still hunt Idaho because I am a resident and have learned enough country that I can generally find some game if I put in the work and time. I suggest you get out this spring and cover as many places as you can. Where you find elk in June may not be where they are in September, but you can at least see what the country has to offer before making up your mind. Plus, hiking in the summer will get you in shape for fall.
02-09-2010, 09:09 AM
#6
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 8
Thanks for the help. I'm limited to Idaho because I'm a resident and don't have the $$ for an out of state hunt. I'll take your advice and get some scouting trips in mid&late summer to see if I can't find any.
Here are the stats from 2008 (2009 aren't out yet):
There didn't appear to be an archery only season for the zones listed above as "any weapon" (unless I'm reading the regs wrong). I'm a young-ish guy and hoping to backpack in to get away from the bulk of hunters. But it sounds like I'll have trouble getting away from folks in Island park zones (61 is the main one I'm looking at). So perhaps 27 in the frank church is better suited for getting into less pressured elk that will respond to calls?
I'll have to call the regional biologists a couple times throughout the year and see if they have information on herd strength and wolf problems. I'm not expecting to completely avoid wolf areas, obviously difficult in Idaho, but I'm just wondering if the wolves make elk hunting strategy different than I'm reading most people advocate currently. I.e. does it make calling ineffective and you're resorted to glassing & spot/stalk exclusively?
Here are the stats from 2008 (2009 aren't out yet):
Code:
Year Hunt Dates Weapon Unit Hunters* Harvest Success Days Antlered Antlerless %Spike %6+Pts 2008 9/15-9/30 Any Weapon 17 726 118 16.00% 5356 118 0 1 48 2008 9/15-9/30 Any Weapon 27 1133 163 14.00% 7158 135 28 0 27 2008 9/15-9/30 Any Weapon 20A 534 126 24.00% 3078 116 10 9 58 2008 9/15-9/30 Any Weapon 26 358 43 12.00% 2061 39 4 5 49 2008 8/30-9/30 Archery 67 89 6 7.00% 616 6 0 17 50 2008 8/30-9/30 Archery 60 248 50 20.00% 2311 31 19 3 46 2008 8/30-9/30 Archery 60A 145 33 23.00% 1044 26 7 4 81 2008 8/30-9/30 Archery 61 551 60 11.00% 4514 45 13 11 49 2008 8/30-9/30 Archery 62A 125 8 6.00% 1032 4 4 0 0
I'll have to call the regional biologists a couple times throughout the year and see if they have information on herd strength and wolf problems. I'm not expecting to completely avoid wolf areas, obviously difficult in Idaho, but I'm just wondering if the wolves make elk hunting strategy different than I'm reading most people advocate currently. I.e. does it make calling ineffective and you're resorted to glassing & spot/stalk exclusively?
02-09-2010, 09:17 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Nevada
Posts: 180
I hunted unit 10 (archery) in 2007 and was into elk everyday. There are wolves up there but you'll find elk if you work hard enough.
The bitterroots are a brutal mountain range so be prepared physically if you go.
Good luck. Elk are fun to hunt...until you get one on the ground and have to pack it out alone!!
The bitterroots are a brutal mountain range so be prepared physically if you go.
Good luck. Elk are fun to hunt...until you get one on the ground and have to pack it out alone!!
02-09-2010, 09:30 AM
#8
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 8
I hunted unit 10 (archery) in 2007 and was into elk everyday. There are wolves up there but you'll find elk if you work hard enough.
The bitterroots are a brutal mountain range so be prepared physically if you go.
Good luck. Elk are fun to hunt...until you get one on the ground and have to pack it out alone!!
The bitterroots are a brutal mountain range so be prepared physically if you go.
Good luck. Elk are fun to hunt...until you get one on the ground and have to pack it out alone!!
Thanks for the info.
02-19-2010, 04:41 AM
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: IDAHO
Posts: 252
I have hunted for quite some time in northern idaho panhandle. The elk are still very stimulated to calls. Cow calls have always been the best for me. Occasional bugle will fire up a bull. I would suggest keep practicing calling. I have not hunted down in the area your looking, so no real help there. Good luck.
