First time elk hunting McCall zone

[Kurtr]

Me my friend and his father in law are looking at going elk hunting out there this year and have been looking at unit 23 and 19a in the McCall zone. Plan is to go out Oct. 21-29. We are going to bring a camper to park and use as a base camp and hike in and go from there. Not looking for any specifics just if we are on the right track at going about tackling this. It will be the first time any of us have hunted country that big and hunted elk. Looking at setting up at either the burgdorf or hazard lake camping areas. Thanks for any help in this fun and exciting adventure.

Kurt

 

[Work2hunt]

Good luck. I can't help you on Idaho, but I would recommend stopping by the new members section and introducing yourself. Guys around here like to get to know you a bit better before they spill the beans.

 

[Kurtr]

I must have missed that sub forum i went and introduced my self

 

[Kurtr]

How is the cell coverage and burgdorf area looking at getting the onxmaps app or should I just get the chip for the GPS?

 

[idcwby]

The only place you get service is on the highest points out there and that isn't always a guarantee.

idcwby

 

[Kurtr]

Thanks looks like I will just get the chip for GPS and not worry about cell coverage

 

[IDELKFVR]

Kurtr I have been in those areas a couple times each the burgdorf area you might have some company but the country is big so you should be able to find some holes where you can get away from people. The hazard lake area is a road one way in and out. The weather could be a factor in there that time of the year so be careful go prepared. Tire chains, shovels, tow straps you know all emergency equipment you might need in the back country.

 

[Casey Gepford]

As an Idaho guy myself, I would have to tell you camping in those areas be weary of the snow that late in the season. It can pile up fast and it quite a ways out. And also have learned from experience in that are that is if there are wolves in that drainage then its best to move to another. That are does hold wolves so be on the look out for them. Maybe get a wolf tag to take one home with you.

 

[Kurtr]

Thanks for the info a wolf tag will be in the pocket that is for sure. I have been going over maps, google earth and any other resource so i hope to have a solid plan when we get there. We will watch the weather closely. Seems like the days are just crawling by i cant wait to get out there

 

[Kurtr]

Well the cabin is booked at pinehurst for the 21-28 of october. Got the elk and wolf tags and have been training our butts off to be in shape. Talked to wardens in area and look at maps daily. Now it feels like i am 12 again waiting for the season to roll around.

 

[Kurtr]

I have been going over maps and trying to figure out how onx has the trails listed and which ones are for atv and which are not. It does not seem how they have the trails marked match up to how the Idaho interactive legend is listed. I see some of the trails have atv by them and some are motor cycle. If i read right the motor cycle trails are only for motor cycles and atvs can not use them. Also the trail head dont show up on onx that do on google earth but thats not that big of deal i am marking them via gps coordinates. It has alot of the foot travel only trails Idaho trails map but does not list them off on Onx. I just want to make sure i am in the clear and not breaking any rules and trying to find areas with less atv access as me and the guy i am hunting with are willing to hump in and do what it takes. Thanks for any in sight on the trail system.

 

[IDELKFVR]

good luck I will be close by.

 

[IDELKFVR]

This has always been a sore subject with my hunting buddies and I. NOTHING SEEMS CLEAR WHEN IT COMES TO MAPS FOR IDAHO. Some trails on the maps will say ATV some will say two wheel only those are motorcycle some or hoarse and foot traffic only. Some you wont know until you get to the trail head because not all are labeled on the map. A lot of forest service logging roads are suppose to be closed on oct 1st but I have been up hunting before and hear comes an ATV on a road that suppose to closed as late as the 15 oct. some times its a crap shoot and I hate that. I have been on two track roads that clearly a pickup made that guys get a ticket for going down with and atv ( no gate ) doesn't seem to be as clear as it could be. That probably doesn't help much sorry wish I had a better answer.

 

[Kurtr]

I am going to go with the if i dont really know for sure dont drive on it we will walk. If a guy is on an atv trail can you pull off to the side and park and walk in or do you have to park on a trail head also if you are on a road can you park the pick up off the side or do you have to be in a trail head. The parking would be off so the road is not blocked at all.

 

[andrew12gauge]

Pull off and park anywhere along FS roads so long as you aren't blocking the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IDELKFVR]

That's correct you can pull off any where just leave room to get around you.

 

[Kurtr]

Just got back and what a great experience. The elk won this round but I will be back. The people that we met in Idaho were very nice and helpful. the owners of Pinehurst RV and resort are great people. Rough and challenging country but so beautiful .

 

[IDELKFVR]

The elk won for me too. My hunting buddy killed a nice six by six and I seen a few animals but didn't get any shooting. The wolves move into my area and the elk moved out. should have went to plan "b" but moving camp was to much work for the amount of days left for me to hunt.