Panhandlin' Optics

[The Ace]

Me and my hunting partners are getting ready to take our first stab at Unit 4 during the archery elk season. Have hunted Unit 27 in the past and while there is certainly a need for the spotting scope down there... I'm kinda thinking that it might not be worth packing along on this trip, with it being so thick and brushy. Any advice from some seasoned Panhandelers about the topic?
Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[The Ace]

Never did get a response to this one... but after experiencing the terrain first-hand... leave the spotting scope at home. In fact, might as well leave the binos home too. Wow, thick and brushy is an understatement!

 

[humbletaxi]

Any luck on the hunt?

 

[The Ace]

Came back with empty coolers, but it was a great trip. We were ALL OVER EM. We had several close encounters and really got to work about a half dozen different bulls. In the end, we were just unable to overcome how thick it is up there in the panhandle. You really seem to have to throw away the ol' handbook on the elk up there and figure out the way they roll in those dense forests.
We're chalking this year up as one heck of a learning experience and will be back next year, ready to fill those coolers up!

 

[Musket Man]

Glad to hear the elk are doing well and you had a good hunt! I was going to hunt elk in the Panhandle this year but I drew a tag in NV and decided not to. I saw some nice bulls a few years ago. Did you guys see any wolves or sign? There are some more open areas but alot of it is pretty thick.

 

[NativeIdahoan]

How did unit 27 treat you guys? A buddy of mine and I are looking into 27 for next year or two.

Mike

 

[roknHS]

A two man team works good in the thick stuff........the shooter moves out in front of the caller several yards; maybe 50 yds max. and sets up. The caller stays back and does his magic. The elk focus on the caller's position and are not prepared for the ambush by the shooter.
It's still somewhat of a crap shoot for the shooter as he has to guess about right where the bull will come through to the call.
In some of those thickets, a 30yd shot is about all you can expect (if that). The shooter has to pick a 60yd swath he thinks the elk will travel through. When it works it is such a sweet deal. We've had 10yd kill shots with this gimmick.

 

[tim]

welcome to the jungles of north Idaho. We are wet, steep, treed and brushy. No easy hunting here. But you can learn to be successful.

 

[tim]

one tip I would give is to find abunch of clearcuts behind a gate. you can usually set up and spot in the clearcuts.