Another ID Rookie looking for Elk

[bullofthewoodsjr]

Since I haven't had any luck drawing a tag this year, and am putting in for points in remainders, I'm interested in hunting Idaho OTC for elk this year. I've never hunted Idaho but it looks enticing since Colorado was a complete bust last year. I've seen several posts from folks asking about ID OTC elk opportunities. I've got similar questions and would appreciate info on how the general tags work. Saw an earlier post that seemed to talk about buying tags for OTC hunts for 2016 already. I was thinking of applying (sometime in May?) for a limited hunt and if not drawn hope to hunt on a general OTC tag, even though I'm not exactly sure how that works. If you don't draw a limited zone do you have to hunt just one specific area? I drove through Alpine, Wyo and Montpelier, Idaho in 2014 on a trip to Yellowstone (saw few elk, but loads of bison and grizzlies in the Park). The country from Montpelier to Alpine looked like great deer and elk country and am curious if you know if elk can be hunted in areas 66, 66a and 76 with an OTC archery tag in 2016? In one of my copies of Eastman's it looks like at least some of the hunts in 66, 66A are draws. Since I'll be hunting by myself this fall, I'm looking for a place that's not real rugged, but still somewhere where I can get away from crowds and have a chance at a bull. Any thoughts on OTC opportunities and the general tags in Idaho would be appreciated. I'm game for archery, muzzy or rifle as needed to increase chances for success. Thanks.

 

[tdub24]

If you look at ID's regs, majority of your questions can be answered:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=63

But to be a little more helpful, all those units have a OTC tags. Diamond Creek Zone (Units 66A, 76) has the "A" tag which is archery only for any elk 8/30 - 9/30. There is a quota of 1,836 on a first come, first served basis. That unit does not have a "B" tag available, that is limited entry.

The Tex Creek Zone (Units 66,69) has "A" tags for archery only any elk 8/30 - 9/30 as well. I you do not kill during those dates with a bow, you can use any weapon for antlerless only 10/22 - 11/16. These units also have a "B" tag for archery only spike or antlerless 8/30 - 9/14. If unsuccessful during those dates, you can use any weapon for antlered only 10/15 - 10/21.

You can go here to see what the quotas are for OTC units that have first come first serve quotas:

https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/license/nonresidentTagAvailability

 

[ivorytip]

only way to avoid the crowds in those units is to draw a hard to draw rifle tag in diamond creek zone for elk.

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

only way to avoid the crowds in those units is to draw a hard to draw rifle tag in diamond creek zone for elk.

I've noticed there are "reasonable" draw odds on some other units, i.e., 11, but in my Eastman's it says that is really rugged country (maybe not the best for a hunter on his own). If crowds are strong in the 66/76 area, are there other units that could be considered?

 

[mntnguide]

There are elk in every unit in idaho...Kind of tough to steer you one way or the other...Im definitely not gonna steer you to where i hunt! haha...but in all reality, just go onto the Idaho fish and game website and get into the hunting statistic portion and you can research every unit and every draw and how hard the odds are along with what the harvest statistics have been in years past. You can then relate that to your eastmans info to get a better idea on the area if it helps. Shouldnt take long to figure out a good place as there are a ton to look at. More relies on how far your wanting to drive from wherever you are etc...Closer to major cities, means more people hunting in close proximity, but it doesnt take long to get to areas where you wouldnt see anyone even within an hour of a city such as Boise. You are gonna most likely be hunting against other hunters who know the area better than you no matter where ya go, so you just need to find a place and make a choice and dive in head first. Good Luck

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

Would'nt ask for anyone's hunting holes, just looking to get in the general direction. Sounds like all Idaho would be ok. Reason I'm looking at Idaho is because I hunted archery hard for 11 days in Colo last year and didn't see an elk. Other hunters seemed to be in the same boat. Beautiful country but between ~8500 and 11500 feet, but no elk, not even a cow, and very little sign. Did see nice deer, a great antelope buck, moose and even wolf tracks.
I'm searching the ID statistics. As you mentioned, closer to cities may be more crowded. Recognizing that, another factor that I may want to consider is going for a cow tag this year in a zone that I might be able to hunt for a bull in a future year (e.g. 39). I know 39 must get a lot of pressure, being outside Boise, but I would hope many of those folks would hunt closer to roads on weekends as its an easy trip for them. Also looked at 48, but maybe lower odds for drawing a bull tag there. Any thoughts on this strategy.

 

[tdub24]

39 was my first experience hunting elk in 2008. I got tired of NV not giving me a tag so I just bought over the counter and went. Every nook and cranny had a vehicle parked. I had big plans though, and after the first 2 miles or so, people disappeared and elk appeared. I ended up killing a 6 point bull on day 6 or 7, can't remember which. Turned out that year there was over 4000 tags sold. We averaged about 7 miles a day walking from one vehicle to another. Google Earth planning and not afraid to get off the beaten path is what I contribute that successful hunt to.

 

[ivorytip]

you will find crowds in all general hunts, unless you want to hit the nasty frank church area and other rugged country like that. text creek area could be a fun hunt for you with a bow. come rifle season make sure you have a bullet proof vest on. doesn't get nearly as much pressure during archery season but you will still see more people than you like, but you can find areas untouched at same time. id say check out diamond creek but that unit is getting fuller than full. is a quota on tags but seems like each year there are more and more people even though tag numbers are same.

 

[Finsandtines]

^ fuller than full for sure based on my observation last year unless.....ran into more folks than anticipated there on the way in and out including outfitter traffic.

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

tdub24, ivorytip, Finsandtines,
Thank to all of you for your thoughtful comments. I'll do some homework and see what I come up with. If I don't draw a tag I'll figure something out and will let you know how it goes. Although tdub24 saw lots of hunters in 39, I'm pleased to hear that he bagged an animal. I'll be happy just seeing animals after my experience last year. A little disappointing to hunt hard for as long as I did without seeing any elk. But, I learned places that I won't go back to. I'm hoping this year will be a good one and at least I'll get to see some new country.

 

[Fink]

Just a thought on elk populations, since you were unsuccessful in finding elk in Colorado.. Idaho has about 1/3 the elk population that Colorado does. Both states probably have similar hunter pressure.

 

[ivorytip]

very true on what fink said. once you fins a place you know holds elk, you wont have a prob finding them. a lot of units hold elk certain times of the year where some units hold elk year long. this goes for every state. let us know how you do on draw, im sure we cant get ya set up where you can see some elk.

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

I talked with IG&F yesterday. They were very helpful.
I'll keep you posted.
Thank you.

 

[tim]

something an old timer told me before. Generally half of the elk killed are by the same guys every year. The other half shoot and elk on average every 7 years. Pretty general, but fairly accurate. Also the harvest percentage is around 20% as a whole. So only 2 guys out of 10 are successful. Sometimes it might take many years for your first one. I know it took me many, many years, before I figured it out.

 

[wister]

I don't post on these forums much, I'm a lurker or troller or whatever. I hunted Idaho for the 1st time last year for elk archery diamond creek and all I can say is just go. We met a sheep herder that didn't speak English (Peru) and showed him a picture of a bull elk and he pointed over a ridge and we were in elk everyday. Just buy the tag and go. Talk to people and drive around u will not be disappointed. The thing about out of state hunting is the adventure--Idaho is awesome and there are a lot of BIG Bulls-thank Idaho and New Mexico for no preference/bonus points for non residents. I've hunted both and they are hands down the best-great people. JUST GO.

 

[The Deer]

I talked with IG&F yesterday. They were very helpful.
I'll keep you posted.
Thank you.

I cannot envision Idaho being a better place to hunt than Coloradobased on the sheer numbers of elk Colorado has over Idaho. It just makes sense to Colorado if I were going to choose one or the other. I've hunted Idaho several times in the general areas and they're just like the general areas I'm used to in Oregon. There's nothing Magic about one state or the other it comes down to scouting and doing your homework especially in OTC units. That applies anywhere. Best of luck to you.

 

[Micah S]

I'd stick with Colorado. I might change units but I'd still stay in Colorado they just have more elk. I was successful in idaho last year in a otc archery hunt but it was a very hard hunt with a ton of hunting pressure. We talked to alot of people while we were there and most of them had not seen a elk. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Striker]

I'm new to this site and thought I would add some insight since I've hunted Idaho my whole life. Did you get put in for a draw hunt?
Also, you got some great advice already. I just want to caution you like I do many new elk hunters. Not knowing how much experience you have hunting, killing, and take care of big game, I'll give some general advice. I hope you know what you are in for. Hunting alone for elk can have it's advantages but you need to plan well. What are you going to do if you kill one by your self? Have you ever hauled out an elk before? butchered or deboned an elk? Do you have someone you can call to help you get your elk to the truck? I would recommend finding a partner or two and figuring out what you are going to do with an elk if you kill one. I have had to many encounters with hunters that don't know what to do after downing an elk. I have them offer me money to gut their animals and pack them out for them. Or people ask who they can call to help them pack out an animal. Many of them end up wasting a lot of meat.
Now that I'm off my high horse, last piece of advice about getting a partner. With a partner you are safer and when hunting archery you need another hunter calling. It makes the world a difference when trying to call in a bull. Finally, Idaho is by far the best chance for bull over 300 that's an over the counter tag because of the point system in other states. My brother got a 350 archery bull last year and I got a 330. Also, south east Id has the fastest growing elk population in the state or at least last I heard. Good luck and plan ahead.

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

very true on what fink said. once you fins a place you know holds elk, you wont have a prob finding them. a lot of units hold elk certain times of the year where some units hold elk year long. this goes for every state. let us know how you do on draw, im sure we cant get ya set up where you can see some elk.

Well, no luck drawing a tag this year. So, I'm planning to hunt Idaho over the counter. I'd like to archery hunt the last two weeks of September in an area without grizzlies since I'll likely be on my own. I've studied the Idaho Fish and Game website and I appreciate that resource - it's really an amazing site and I applaud IF&G for the job they've done to put that together. Additionally, I've talked to IF&G biologists and they were very friendly. However, I'm still uncertain where to find a bull. I'd welcome any suggestions you have for how to hunt Idaho.

 

[bullofthewoodsjr]

I'm new to this site and thought I would add some insight since I've hunted Idaho my whole life. Did you get put in for a draw hunt?
Also, you got some great advice already. I just want to caution you like I do many new elk hunters. Not knowing how much experience you have hunting, killing, and take care of big game, I'll give some general advice. I hope you know what you are in for. Hunting alone for elk can have it's advantages but you need to plan well. What are you going to do if you kill one by your self? Have you ever hauled out an elk before? butchered or deboned an elk? Do you have someone you can call to help you get your elk to the truck? I would recommend finding a partner or two and figuring out what you are going to do with an elk if you kill one. I have had to many encounters with hunters that don't know what to do after downing an elk. I have them offer me money to gut their animals and pack them out for them. Or people ask who they can call to help them pack out an animal. Many of them end up wasting a lot of meat.
Now that I'm off my high horse, last piece of advice about getting a partner. With a partner you are safer and when hunting archery you need another hunter calling. It makes the world a difference when trying to call in a bull. Finally, Idaho is by far the best chance for bull over 300 that's an over the counter tag because of the point system in other states. My brother got a 350 archery bull last year and I got a 330. Also, south east Id has the fastest growing elk population in the state or at least last I heard. Good luck and plan ahead.

Thanks for the advice, Striker; you're on the mark with what you say. Also, congratulations to you and your brother for taking some nice bulls. A 330 bull would be a dream for me. Although I'd prefer to hunt with a partner or a small group to share the camaraderie and the burden of packing out an animal, that just may not be an option. If I'm hunting alone, and I'm fortunate to down a bull, I will be de-boning him, and expect that to be quite a challenge. Would be great to hunt with with a partner but I wouldn't want to impose on anyone. Also, I'm no expert with a diaphragm call, so I stick to cow calls. I recognize these limitations, but it's good to be alive and to get out in the woods.