Idaho Beaverhead Zone

[Arrow Slinger]

My buddy and I are planning a 10 day DIY backpack archery elk hunt for mid September in the Beaverhead zone. We have never hunted the area and we have been roaming through the vast web pages of the internet looking for any info possible and still have not made up our mind on what unit we are going to go to. We are leaning towards 59a or 30a but have no real knowledge of the area other than what we have found online and from the Idaho Fish and Game. We really need to settle on a unit so we can do more in depth research and plan a scouting trip.

I was hoping to connect with someone who's familiar with the area who could point us in the right direction. We have a couple areas in both units that we like based on google earth images but we are hoping to get some intel on what the hunting in these units is like (hunting pressure, terrain, weather, ease of access) Our main goal is to get of the beaten path and away from other hunters in a area that holds elk, we are both in pretty good shape a have been training for this hunt for quite some time.

We are both accomplished whitetail and turkey hunters in Kansas and would be more than happy to trade info and possibly provide the right person with private land access in central and SE Kansas as well as info on public land that we hunt.

Thanks and God Bless!!!
Josh

 

[Striker]

Arrow,

I have never hunted those units but I have hunted units close to them and know a few people that hunt them. 30A is very well known. Many a monster has come out of that unit but like many units in that area if you were hunting it 10 or 15 years ago it would have been awesome. That being said I would still pick that unit over 59. I have a cousin that still kills nice bulls there almost every year. It's steep country and flatish on top. The elk will bed up on the steep mountain sides. Don't under estimate the hay fields. Elk will travel from the top of those steep mountains to hit a hay field with out breaking much of a sweat. It's like crack to them. From what I have gleamed you either hunt them high or try to get them coming out of the hay fields which can be difficult. I can't help you with access points but horses or a motorcycle/ATV may save you a lot of walking and help you get on top. Sorry I can't give you more. This is just what I have heard from other hunters. There will be a decent amount of hunting pressure I'm guessing. I left the units I hunted nearby because of all the hunting pressure. I'm sure that one is similar. Last year while at the Leadore city park we heard bulls bugle every night in that unit in the hey fields but unless you are gun hunting it's hard to get a head of them with a bow. Hope this helps.

 

[Arrow Slinger]

Arrow,

I have never hunted those units but I have hunted units close to them and know a few people that hunt them. 30A is very well known. Many a monster has come out of that unit but like many units in that area if you were hunting it 10 or 15 years ago it would have been awesome. That being said I would still pick that unit over 59. I have a cousin that still kills nice bulls there almost every year. It's steep country and flatish on top. The elk will bed up on the steep mountain sides. Don't under estimate the hay fields. Elk will travel from the top of those steep mountains to hit a hay field with out breaking much of a sweat. It's like crack to them. From what I have gleamed you either hunt them high or try to get them coming out of the hay fields which can be difficult. I can't help you with access points but horses or a motorcycle/ATV may save you a lot of walking and help you get on top. Sorry I can't give you more. This is just what I have heard from other hunters. There will be a decent amount of hunting pressure I'm guessing. I left the units I hunted nearby because of all the hunting pressure. I'm sure that one is similar. Last year while at the Leadore city park we heard bulls bugle every night in that unit in the hey fields but unless you are gun hunting it's hard to get a head of them with a bow. Hope this helps.

Thanks Striker! Much appreciated.

 

[missjordan]

I can chime in a little because we're hunting the Montana side of you and it is big country! Should be a good place for you to archery hunt. A vehicle or a ATV is a must for us on the MT side as there is good road access everywhere but still requires you to hike once you find a good spot. Weather can turn nasty quick because of the elevation and its windy most of the time. Spend time glassing on good vantage points and you should see elk!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tim]

I helped a buddy a few years back on a sheep hunt in the area. It did snow on us labor day weekend. Pretty country and tough access, lots of ranch down low. I do remember sitting on a ledge, looking at goats not to far away, sheep a longs ways off, big herd of elk in the bottoms and lots of bugles. Have fun.

 

[tim]

here is a pic from labor day weekend in 08

 

[Arrow Slinger]

I helped a buddy a few years back on a sheep hunt in the area. It did snow on us labor day weekend. Pretty country and tough access, lots of ranch down low. I do remember sitting on a ledge, looking at goats not to far away, sheep a longs ways off, big herd of elk in the bottoms and lots of bugles. Have fun.

Which part of the Beaverhaed zone were you in north or south? just curious those pics look pretty rugged but awesome

 

[tim]

To many years ago and I have been in to many mountains, Don't remember, I basically met him in leadore and followed him in.

 

[25contender]

Here is a pic looking towards the Beaver head zone from Montana. I love this place!!

 

[Arrow Slinger]

That view looks awesome can't wait to get out there.

 

[Arrow Slinger]

to the top

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I have been hunting the Salmon area for several years and switched to 30A last year (2017)
I sent you a PM with my email and phone number, would like to know if you ever made it over to hunt the Beaverhead? And if so which unit?