Idaho Last minute hunt

Bubba19

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
35
1
I'm trying to put together a last minute hunt! My plans for the Archery hunt got busted up. This is what I'm up against, try to decide on the units below. I really want to kill an elk but would take the opportunity to find an area to hunt some Mule Deer. What should I do?I have never hunted these units and am looking for some general information. I have Quads and a Backpack. I prefer hunting out of a Backpack. I like to Glass a lot and want a unit I can do this in..

Mule Deer in unit 76 or 49.
OR
Elk in McCall or Tex Creek



Unit 49 or 76, If I decide to hunt Deer I'm leaning towards 76.

1. Is 76 a beter unit then 49?
2. In 76 is the north end bester or the South?
3. I'm looking at hunting West of Freedom is this a good area?

Or

I can hunt General Elk in Tex Creek or McCall which area is better?

1. Are these units worth the time trying to find elk.
2. In Tex Creek I was looking at Elk Mountain area is this a decent area to start?
3. I'm a hard hunter, what are the chances of seeing elk in these units?

Any info shared would be appreciated...

Thanks
Bubba
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
im just gonna say it out loud to save you the pain, tex creek holds a lot of stinking elk, more than a lot. prob with that is its a general hunt and they call it the 6 day war for a reason. if you drove up there on opening day of the bull hunt, oct 15th you would literally shit your pants when you see the large city the mountains have turned into. I stopped hunting that unit for elk years ago for that very reason. its DANGEROUS! they should seriously put a quota on it. its that bad. and no, there is no getting away from the crowds, not even on horses. big and little elk mountains are indeed hot spots, and it doesn't matter how far back u pack in, you will come across several outfitters and even more hunters. however, if you find the spots that don't look elky, that's where you will find them. its a true circus, I think its Idaho's way of thinning the human population. and as far as deer, they are looking good every where I've gone this year. a lot of deer will be shot in the west this year, records will be broken, mark my words.
 

Bubba19

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
35
1
ivorytip, thanks for the reply! I guess you can say thats good news and bad. I want to kill an Elk really bad but not in the means of getting shot. My family depends on me being a dad. I won't sacrifice hunting over them. That just too bad about that unit.

Have you been into 76 this year? I think that is what we are leaning towards. The area I'm looking at is around east of stump peak.

Thanks again,

Bubba
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
10,028
1,615
Reno Nv
Ivory is absulutly on point! We stopped hunting Tex creek and Palasades a few years ago for the same reasons.

If you choose to go there take a look at Edwards Canyon. You can hike around the reservoir and get to it but we would take a John boat from the opposite side. Be there opening morning and wait for the ridiculous amount of shooting to start. The elk will drop into Edwards. The was an old wooden tree stand there if I remember correctly. Good luck.