2017 solo elk hunt

[Ty208]

Good evening guys..

So here it is.. Salmon zone, Elk B, General Deer and wolf tag. Will be on scene for approx 3 weeks. I haven't been in that area for many years and that was fighting fire. No real contacts in the area other than DFG, USFS etc. Ive been scouring GE and every other map feature known to man. Impossible to get a preseason scout on.

Me.. 40 and fit. Used to the mountains and am very content alone. Love steep an heavy. Ive spent many hunting trips solo and yes some were very extended. common sense, survival and navigational skills, ability to embrace the suck above average. Elk experience.. ZERO.

Long Gun.. Tikka T3 Lite 7RM w/ Barnes 160's.. MOA @ 200

Master Plan.. Continue digital scouting and utilize departmental resources. I plan on being in my areas 3-4 days early to scout and possibly throw a muley rack on my back.. Without compromising my Elk agenda!!! Once boots are on the ground work through my categorized elk spots one by one. Im planning on packing in to each specific area working with diurnal winds and terrain to find vantage points for glassing and very minimal location bugling. Each area will be combed through looking for sign...

Conclusion.. Im a Rook when it comes to Elk and Idaho. Not hunting and desire to learn. Im sure I've left a lot out of this but, i hate typing and rambling. which I've successfully done! So fire away.. what do you or don't you like? any general suggestions? Im here to learn, my ears are open.. very glad to be here and appreciate any time or comments. even the negative..

Ps I have much to trade if you guys are interested in Pacific Offshore fishing and spearfishing... just sayin

 

[mfllood3800]

The digital side of hunting is a great tool. Many of us utilize what is available. How ever hunting pressures significantly change all this good intel.
Weather changes the elk/deer patterns and predators pattern changes drives herds.
So just be prepared to make adjustments to your plan

The most successful elk hunters are those who have a good plan, and are willing to throw it out for what is observed and needed.

I hope you have a great hunt and good luck to you

 

[elkguide]

Sounds like a well thought out plan. Keep on working your plan.


(maybe not much location bugling if at all prior to the opener.
I learn as much by just being out there and letting them do the talking until I am ready to make my move.)

 

[Transition Wild]

I think you are on the right track with digital scouting and planning as much as possible! I'm no elk expert by any means but one piece of advice I can give (speaking from this past season) is don't be afraid to set up in a stationary position in an area with good sign. I hiked my ass off for 2 days with zero elk sightings becuase I thought that's what you HAD to do. It's drilled in our heads that you have to cover 8-10 miles a day, hike to the thickest nastiest terrain and get the furthest away from the road/other hunters to kill an elk. That's not necessarily true. By the 3rd day I changed my strategy and sat a meadow relatively close to the road and ended up getting shots on bulls, one of which I ended up killing on the 5th day of my hunt.

Elk are herd animals so even if you have local intel on a certain area or are hunting an area where you or someone else had success in the past, doesn't mean that they will be there during YOUR hunt. There are too many variables in hunting; pressure, weather, food sources, time of year, etc. that result in variable elk movement. Go into the hunt with a plan (which it sounds like you are doing) but don't be afraid to mix things up. Sheer persistence kills more elk than anything else. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Hayguide]

You will do fine. I do a solo drop camps...4 camps so far. 3 bulls. I enjoys my 7 days of solitude. Getting a bull out is your biggest issue. Its not an easy task. I have hunted a few times on Trail head hunts with my sons. We always hunted up so we could pack down. That makes a huge difference. My drop camp I used last year would pack the animals out from the kill site. All I had to do was quarter. The 3 before that, I had to pack to my camp. So I hunted up and packed down-on my own. Im 56 and did it on two bulls a mile from camp-you can do it. Also- the google map scouting is huge. I had a new spot in SW Colorado that I had never hunted. Drop camp operator gave me the cooridinates- I actually saw my fire pit and the portable wood outhouse -tent was not on the map. I used it to scout before I got on the mountain-killed a really nice 280 6-5 on that hunt. Good luck.

 

[HookUp]

I hunted Idaho last year and burned through all my digital spots due to pressure, bad burns or ground to steep to hike. I ended up high on a hill and glassed and found my elk that way.

 

[bigdesert10]

Honestly, it sounds like you're pretty well-prepared. There is good advice above. Only consideration I would add is to keep in mind that packing an elk out is a completely different ball game than packing a deer, particularly if solo hunting. So always keep in mind how deep you've hiked and recognize what that means for 4 or 5 trips packing meat. Aside from that and the above advice, you seem to be prepared enough to just get out and try it.

 

[Ty208]

Wow. Cant believe the feedback. you guys are great. all points have been taken in the highest regard. I'm crunched on time at the moment, i wanted to elaborate on a few items. Hayguide.. love the can do attitude, nothing great comes easy right.. i hope to be haulin elk on my my back at 56 yo!! again, just wanted to thank you guys for your time.. very much appreciated. just 10 more months.........

 

[realunlucky]

Trekking poles make the pack in or out so much better. Get a nice pair cheap poles are more drama than their worth if they slip

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