I have a son that is stationed at Fairchild AFB near Spokane...his twin and I are planning on driving an RV out and hunt...we have no clue about ELK hunting...we are planning on the "Any Weapon" season I think runs Oct 10 -24...I was a sniper for the state of Illinois, My son in the Air Force is a SERE Specialist and long range precision shooter...my other son works in a prison and also a Long range shooter..our rifles will be 7mm rem mags and 260 caliber...with all that being said we are buying both the deer and elk OTC tags..and plan on hunting unit 4 (for now) I know there are several camps in the Coeur d'Alene forest but without actually being able to drive the roads ahead of time, CAN I navigate a 31' RV and find a place to park to use it for a Base camp...the boys are planning on hiking out 2-5 miles to hunt...I'm not sure I'm able to hike out that far and would like to stay around the RV and fish and maybe have a chance at a Deer or one of the other animals that I can take with that tag...any and all help on a general location on where to hunt that Unit would be greatly appreciated...and info on the roads and if any pulloffs are there I can use...Thanks
Hunting the Pan Handle of Idaho
- Thread starter dalemilam58
- Start date
It's not etched in stone that we have to hunt that area...I was just looking at the numbers of tags filled...percentage rates...etc...if you all can give us a better idea on a place thats fine too and we can research it...My son that's a SERE Specialist will try to be doing some scouting...one of the reasons for that area was the distance from him...
We are hoping to go with OTC tags...I've called and talked several times to DNR they said they actually sold out by Sept...last year which was a 1st...she also told me that they may open Cow hunting this year because of the numbers, but wouldn't know before the March meeting...I just want it to be a great trip for my Boys...I'm happy with just going and being with them..If I can get a deer and a few fish I'm good with that...but any information on tags and units would really help..
tim
Veteran member
the cda river has lots of campgrounds, there will be lots of rv's and camps there. prepare to join the masses. however lots of elk come out of there. you will have to hike. good luck, prepare for the jungles of north Idaho. we are wet.
Thanks Tim...we are determined to do this...who knows how many more years I have left at being mobile enough to ever go again...I don't plan on hiking in as far as my sons...I would like to stay closer to the RV(to keep and eye on it, and because it has a nice bed for this old man) but I feel I can go fishing and maybe harvest a deer ... and we don't have to hunt the Pan Handle that was a starting point based on the number of tags filled...so we're open to anywhere that at least one of us might have success .... after looking at a few maps I see a power line cutting across ...can you hunt the right of way and if so is it very effective?
tim
Veteran member
you will have a good time, there will be places you will be able to shoot long range. we are just very thick and lots of cover, however you will be in logging country and the clear cuts will allow you to see for quite aways. watching the clear cuts at the prime hunting times has been very successful for me in the past. gated roads are a good way to get back aways. if you are camping on the river, you will need to drive from camp to get into good elk country. also I got some buddies who do well by fording the river and getting into country people don't like. Hip boots or waders work well for that. last October we got close to 9 inches of rain in the month. typically it is close to 3 inches in October, so good rain gear is a must. also the mountains are very steep.
here is a buddies bull from unit 4. lots of timber. we refer to this guy as the predator.
here is a buddies bull from unit 4. lots of timber. we refer to this guy as the predator.
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Thanks Tim..we still have a ways to go...my son from Fairchild has his 4 wheel drive truck and will be driving it too, so I'll go as afr as I can with the RV and then they can go on in and then hike...
tim
Veteran member
dale
got your pm. not much more I can say. It is a thick, steep country side in the panhandle. Have your sons scout as much as possible and don't be surprised when you see lots of hunters.
the biggest piece of advice I can give is: elk are where you find them.
The wolf has changed the game and you usually have to go into the timber to find them. Don't be afraid to hike in the dark and you will have to work very hard.
specific areas area take lifetimes to find and they are not given out.
got your pm. not much more I can say. It is a thick, steep country side in the panhandle. Have your sons scout as much as possible and don't be surprised when you see lots of hunters.
the biggest piece of advice I can give is: elk are where you find them.
The wolf has changed the game and you usually have to go into the timber to find them. Don't be afraid to hike in the dark and you will have to work very hard.
specific areas area take lifetimes to find and they are not given out.
tim
Veteran member
Thanks...now I'm kind of second guessing...do I want to try a less hunted area or push forward with our original plans...I've looked at other units but not sure on how to find out if it is private or public lands..any ideas?
Bonecollector
Veteran member
MRS should have some basic information listed. You can also look at plat maps on the internet or get an onXmap chip to review
boundaries.
BTW - beautiful pictures Tim!
boundaries.
BTW - beautiful pictures Tim!