I have hunted elk in Idaho's diamond creek range for the past 8 years. I am hearing lots of negative information about the herd in this area. I am curious what others have to say about it. I am also looking for another region of that state to hunt, i just hate starting over. Any advice woulf be great...
Idaho Elk concerns
- Thread starter elkcntryblaser
- Start date
I've hunted in the So E for years around the Palisades Resivor. It pretty much sucks now. I don't think it's a wolf thing as much as it's continued to be over hunted. Game and Fish need to get it together and cut back the tags IMO. Also the Cashe Nationl Forest was my next choice to hunt. First year we went filled every tag and saw tons of deer and elk. The next year, no elk and we killed one small deer of camp meat out of 5 guys. We didn't even see a single Moose! The worst drop in game population I've ever seen. I love ID but I'm done hunting there for awhile. Good luck. Hope you find a good spot.
IdahoHombre
Member
I'm curious if you're a bowhunter or rifle. A lot of folks love bow hunting there. I think rifle hunters have a harder time of it, simply because the elk have had the warning that there are already hunters in the woods. But that's rather unscientific.
Yes, the herd has been going downhill there. Since 2005, population numbers have been cut by a third, at least, and maybe more like 1/2. Obviously, there's still elk there, and the bull to cow ratio is still pretty high - somewhere around 40.
As far as somewhere else to go, it depends on what kind of terrain you like to hunt, and if you bow hunt or rifle hunt.
Yes, the herd has been going downhill there. Since 2005, population numbers have been cut by a third, at least, and maybe more like 1/2. Obviously, there's still elk there, and the bull to cow ratio is still pretty high - somewhere around 40.
As far as somewhere else to go, it depends on what kind of terrain you like to hunt, and if you bow hunt or rifle hunt.
I am an archery hunter. I have never hunted elk with a rifle, and intend to keep it that way for now. my concern is that IDFG post Diamond Creek below target for cows and above target for bulls, this spells some trouble for a growing herd. I would be willing to hunt anywhere there are decent numbers of quallity elk.
I am curious is there still a good unit in idaho to hunt. i love hunting there,, the only reason i am not a resident there is i have family here in the midwest. I Here some good things about the s/w corner,,, archery hunting. any thoughts?
T43
Active Member
IdahoHombre
Member
Yes, there are tons of good places to hunt in Idaho. Still a lot of elk too. Archers do great every year in the Panhandle Zone, especially if you're willing to get WAY back in the woods there. There's elk all over in the Palouse Zone. And, I'm of the opinion that you can still do well in the McCall Zone, and in the Boise River Zone. And if you want to hunt something similar in terrain/scenery as the Diamond Creek Zone, you could head north to the Island Park Zone, if you don't mind crawling in the brush with grizzlies. I think if you get high in either the Island Park Zone or the Palisades Zone, you should be able to draw in some bulls with a good setup. There are some remote, high elevation parts of the Palisades that most guys aren't physically able and/or willing to get to that I think could be rewarding. Most people will say you're crazy to hunt without horses there, but I've done it. It was tough, and it took two days to get the elk out. But there was success. Perhaps this series of posts will give you a flavor for some of the areas in Idaho to hunt.
Yeah, there's places where the elk are down in number. Habitat and/or wolves and weather to blame. If you work hard to find the elk, you have good chance at success. Otherwise, I won't blame you if you want to go to Colorado.
Yeah, there's places where the elk are down in number. Habitat and/or wolves and weather to blame. If you work hard to find the elk, you have good chance at success. Otherwise, I won't blame you if you want to go to Colorado.
I appreciate the info. I have to say I have had a lot of luck calling bulls in the early part of the season. The only down side I have seen is I might only see one or two bulls in a ten day period. The set up is good, the numbers are just down. I agree getting after it via walking is the way to go. I will look into some of the other area's.
IdahoHombre
Member
Yeah, I hear you. You're a picky one! 
I would be too if I was coming out from Wisconsin every year. Your experience is probably pretty typical statewide (even though there's plenty of 6 pointers taken every year), and the title of this thread is valid - there are concerns here in ID. In the meantime, have fun looking into new areas and planning. Good luck.
I would be too if I was coming out from Wisconsin every year. Your experience is probably pretty typical statewide (even though there's plenty of 6 pointers taken every year), and the title of this thread is valid - there are concerns here in ID. In the meantime, have fun looking into new areas and planning. Good luck.
THEBUGLER
Member
If you want to hunt the Panhandle of Idaho, be ready to navigate a rainforest like jungle Very thick and brushy country. The wolves have taken their toll up there as they have elsewhere in the state. It was quite apparent last season due to the IDFG eliminating cow elk havest in some units and cutting days from the seasons. Also, the lack of elk we saw and wolves we did see was quite depressing.
Dirk
Very thick and brushy country. The wolves have taken their toll up there as they have elsewhere in the state. It was quite apparent last season due to the IDFG eliminating cow elk havest in some units and cutting days from the seasons. Also, the lack of elk we saw and wolves we did see was quite depressing.Dirk
I hear your concern, I fear that we are seeing wolves where I am at as well. We have actually spotted mountain lions during day time hours where we hunt. Bears are a regular sight as well. Each of the last few years I have had a shiras in bow range. I think what all of this is telling me is that the wolves are pushing other species around and effecting their beahvior. I fear that until we control the wolves our elk herd is going to suffer.