Idaho OTC Elk 2019

[GAVet2002]

Hey all! Longtime reader, first time poster. Starting to start planning my first OTC rifle elk hunt in Idaho for next fall. Originally I was going to go with another veteran buddy who grew up near zone 6, but he is flaking on me so I've been scouring the maps on OnX and considering picking up a tag for unit 39, and hunting between the rattlesnake creeks..TBD though, still need to do some more research. This is a bucketlist hunt for me, and I just wanted to say hi and thank you for all of the resources I have already found within the forums here, I look forward to learning more over the next few months and contributing where I can. Feel free to wave me off if I am making a horrible decision..lol

 

[kidoggy]

welcome to the site!

horrible decision ,try Wyoming.

NO I am just kidding , sounds like a decent plan coming together.


BUT being this is your first post and you're a newbie , head down to "new members" and introduce yourself to the other members .


there is a wealth of knowledge to be had from this crowd but you will find few willing to help much till they get to know you a bit.

that said ,if you have any specific questions(lodging, weather ?? and such) feel free to PM me, I have been hunting 39 for over 40 years.

just don't expect any honey holes !

 

[GAVet2002]

Much appareciated, that was going to be my next forum stop. I picked Idaho mostly because as a disabled vet I am allowed to hunt as a resident...Save some $$. Currently my plan is to find a place to park and hike it in a few miles to camp, but will hit you up should I be in need of locales to warm my feet instead.

 

[GAVet2002]

Anybody happen to know a good source for trail maps? I am seeing some trails via OnX, but not a lot...Then again, I suppose some of this is going to come down to trekking through the woods to get to ridgetops...It's a lot to take in at times..lol

 

[kidoggy]

Anybody happen to know a good source for trail maps? I am seeing some trails via OnX, but not a lot...Then again, I suppose some of this is going to come down to trekking through the woods to get to ridgetops...It's a lot to take in at times..lol

forest service makes maps with good detail. can be found at most big hunting stores.

the delorme IDAHO ATLAS AND GAZETTEER book is also a pretty good one to keep in truck.


forest service map has more detail but the atlas shows forest service roads pretty well

 

[GAVet2002]

Awesome! Thank you! I am thinking I am going to park at Rattlesnake campground and hike in...but keep waffling on that decision as I expect every other easterner like myself will be piling into those campgrounds come hunting season...Time to come up with backup and tertiary plans.

 

[kidoggy]

Awesome! Thank you! I am thinking I am going to park at Rattlesnake campground and hike in...but keep waffling on that decision as I expect every other easterner like myself will be piling into those campgrounds come hunting season...Time to come up with backup and tertiary plans.

no doubt you won't be alone but it's big country get away from roads and trails and you can often leave people behind.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Welcome

Your last statement is very true. The large amount of guys hunting OTC in Idaho can be humbling and extremely aggravating.

The country is beautiful and rugged but game is on the low side. In my experience OTC in Idaho is a tough hunt so keep you expectations moderate and be prepared for the pumpkin head army to be out in full force.

You best bet IMO is to do what your saying. Hike in as far as you can, set camp and hunt out from there. You can cut out a lot of hunters by going in deep as you can.

Use the search function as look around the forum for more info. There has been plenty of discussion here on Idaho.

Good luck! Hope you kill a monster out there.

 

[tim]

contact the local forest service office of the area you want to hunt and you can order maps from them.
the delorme product is nice, for a general overall feeling, but they do not show trails in the correct place. heck they show water running up hill. I do have the delorme atlas and the delorme topo program on my computer.

 

[Roughwater]

Gav,

I really would look at ONX-maps. You get so much more info than with your basic maps. You can often find discounts online for the subscription if you look around. It's still a good idea though to get some forest service maps as well. ONX-maps give you info on previous fire locations, areas that have been lumbered, different game management units, Satellite maps, private land ownership etc, etc. Well worth the money. It will definitely show all roads and trails. I have a Chip for Idaho, and Utah I can put in my garmin I use on site but the onx website I use at home to plan my hunt. It's one of those things that once you take the time to lean it you will be hooked. I only have experience in Idaho units 10 and 12 and I wouldn't go back to either but I'm sure there are some great units to be found in Idaho.

 

[GAVet2002]

Gav,

I really would look at ONX-maps. You get so much more info than with your basic maps. You can often find discounts online for the subscription if you look around. It's still a good idea though to get some forest service maps as well. ONX-maps give you info on previous fire locations, areas that have been lumbered, different game management units, Satellite maps, private land ownership etc, etc. Well worth the money. It will definitely show all roads and trails. I have a Chip for Idaho, and Utah I can put in my garmin I use on site but the onx website I use at home to plan my hunt. It's one of those things that once you take the time to lean it you will be hooked. I only have experience in Idaho units 10 and 12 and I wouldn't go back to either but I'm sure there are some great units to be found in Idaho.

Thanks! Yeah, I have a free year of the premium 50 state OnX, still learning how to use it. Being former mil, I grew up on hardcopy maps..lol...Garmin is on my shopping list for the hunt. Looking forward to some time away from the hustle and bustle, almost as much as I am hopefully bagging an elk.

 

[Roughwater]

I attached the above before I saw your response. Lots you can do with the online including print your own maps as well.

Thanks for your service. I was in the Corps but very long ago. I looked at unit 39 and looks like plenty of area to hunt for sure. Good luck where ever you end up.

Terry

 

[GAVet2002]

It's kind of funny, once you start to put a plan together, tell a couple of friends and BAM, one hit me up who has been hunting the Salmon Unit for a few years and suggested I join him in 2019. Complete with pack horses and a wall tent. Seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up. Also think I have my father convinced to come along, I haven't hunted with him since I left for the Navy many moons ago, so it would be a really cool thing to kill an elk or two together.

 

[Slugz]

Much appareciated, that was going to be my next forum stop. I picked Idaho mostly because as a disabled vet I am allowed to hunt as a resident...Save some $$. Currently my plan is to find a place to park and hike it in a few miles to camp, but will hit you up should I be in need of locales to warm my feet instead.

Idaho does a great job with that program. I got a ex military retired friend who hunts there every year due to the great price. His feedback I've heard so far was " lots of cross canyon shots" " lots of up and down to get into postion to shoot" Good luck

 

[GAVet2002]

Does anybody know how quickly, places like the Salmon area sell out once the tags go on sale? I heard there are some areas like Sawtooth that sell out very quickly.

 

[GAVet2002]

After some deliberation, it looks like we'll be hunting in the area of 36B, base camping out of Fork Morgan Creek...Tags go on sale tomorrow, looking forward to getting mine and then REALLY getting excited about this hunt. Now, my buddy mentioned that last year there was over a foot of snow during B season in this area, is this a normal occurrence? I am familiar with snow and cold frm growing up in Michigan, but must say, I have become a lightweight living in GA the past 5 years..lol...I appreciate all of the help and advice ya'll have given thus far.

 

[kidoggy]

never hunted 36b. have hunted 37/ 37a and never seen so many animals . deer (mule/whites ) , elk, turkey , mtn sheep. coyotes every where .

and there be wolves there. get a tag ,you never know.


in general, there's not much for snow in most of Idaho until mid October , then all bets are off . could go either way.


good luck on hunt . looking forward to hearing how it turns out.. success or not , we love pics.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Wall tent, horses and military folk??? Damnations them elks are in trouble!!

 

[GAVet2002]

Wall tent, horses and military folk??? Damnations them elks are in trouble!!

lol, worst case, it'll be like Afghanistan with less being shot at..lol...and more beer at camp. My hopes are high, but my expectations of killing an elk are low...90% of hunting for me is just being outdoors.

 

[kidoggy]

lol, worst case, it'll be like Afghanistan with less being shot at..lol...and more beer at camp. My hopes are high, but my expectations of killing an elk are low...90% of hunting for me is just being outdoors.

never know . opening day with the orange head army , may make afghanistan look tame in comparison.