FNG - Idaho panhandle elk

[I90west]

Cover tons of roads in the dark and put on many miles hiking throughout the day. Get confident with your calling. Don’t get stuck on one area. Stay mobile and use the extensive road systems to your advantage. There are lots of wolves and ridiculous amount of brush…but plenty of elk too. This will be my 10th season with this tag.

 

[K_pem]

If you have a Panhandle A tag you can hunt anywhere in the Panhandle with a season that is open w/ the respective weapon.

I live and hunt in the Panhandle. Like others have said it is thick and steep, there's good quantities of wolves in most areas but not all, definitely be prepared for some close encounters (shot a bull a couple years ago frontal, it couldn't have been further than 3 yards) but there are some open areas as well. Definitely cover lots of ground, there will be a lot of other hunters for sure, just have to learn to use them to your advantage. Learn how to call and absolutely use them to help you locate/close in on elk, but for the love of God don't overdo it, especially if you don't sound pretty damn decent. Theres's way too many guys piping off on their puff tubes that sound like someone strangling a freakin goat.

It will be hard for sure, the success rate is like 7-8% so don't be discouraged if it takes you a few years to figure it out; but once you do, you'll fill tags every year. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you need some help bouncing around ideas (not sure about what unit you were thinking but at least have an idea) and I'll do my best to help you guys out!

Goodluck and have fun with it

 

[Dburg322]

If you have a Panhandle A tag you can hunt anywhere in the Panhandle with a season that is open w/ the respective weapon.

I live and hunt in the Panhandle. Like others have said it is thick and steep, there's good quantities of wolves in most areas but not all, definitely be prepared for some close encounters (shot a bull a couple years ago frontal, it couldn't have been further than 3 yards) but there are some open areas as well. Definitely cover lots of ground, there will be a lot of other hunters for sure, just have to learn to use them to your advantage. Learn how to call and absolutely use them to help you locate/close in on elk, but for the love of God don't overdo it, especially if you don't sound pretty damn decent. Theres's way too many guys piping off on their puff tubes that sound like someone strangling a freakin goat.

It will be hard for sure, the success rate is like 7-8% so don't be discouraged if it takes you a few years to figure it out; but once you do, you'll fill tags every year. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you need some help bouncing around ideas (not sure about what unit you were thinking but at least have an idea) and I'll do my best to help you guys out!

Goodluck and have fun with it

I can’t DM yet, but I appreciate the input.

 

[Idahunt97]

Thanks for reply. I can’t DM yet. I should clarify I have a general NR tag not controlled hunt tag. I’ve read through F&G brochure, but controlled hunts are listed as complete units in some cases during the same hunt season as the general tag. So would that mean I can’t hunt that whole unit? It seems these rules and descriptions aren’t written well for someone not already familiar.

Assuming you got the Panhandle A tag, you would be able to hunt any of the open dates listed in white A tag column, if you have panhandle B tag you can hunt all the open dates listed in B tag column. Controlled hunts are completely separate hunts that sometimes overlap other hunts. Please DM me if you want further clarification.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[gaggiffin]

Just my experience from hunting panhandle A- tag the last 4 seasons. There's a lot of elk! Its hard to find a logging road that doesn't have semi fresh tracks or scat. That being said you have a few big problems to contend with.
1. I have noticed the elk wont heard up as much as they do in other areas. so you will find lots of groups of 1,2,3 animals. But not those big herds of 20-50+. ( this isn't actually a problem I guess just unusual)

2. The landscape is very this, and steep. imagine the amazon jungle mixed with the swiss alps. There are clear cuts but fewer elk use those. I prefer to get in the brush with them. Your not going to be able to really glass or spot and stalk.

3. For whatever reason the elk aren't nearly as vocal as they are in other places, whether they are call shy or pressured from wolves I don't know. But typically the only bugles I here are quiet ones they make from their beds when I am 150 or less yards away. Lots of other hunters bugling.

4. Lots and lots of other hunters. Bear hunters running their dogs.

I have talked to a lot of people who have grown up here and hunted here their whole lives and have only killed 3-4 elk here. I tell my own friends and family to not come here to hunt cause its not worth the tag fees and drive.

If you send me a PM ill let you know what strategies I found to be the best for here.

 

[gaggiffin]

Just realized you cant PM.

I have found my best success hiking closed logging roads with the wind in my face till I either smell them, find fresh pee or poop, maybe hear a bugle, or something that indicates there are elk near by.

Then I go to still hunting, take 1-2 steps wait 10-15seconds take another 1-2 steps. I do this for hours, till I either spook them, loose the direction, or start heading into an area I don't want to pack an elk out of lol. Keep a cow call in your mouth and occasionally let a meow, especially if you make a mistake and step on a branch or have to crash through a bush. If you do this 3 days in a row, i would be surprised if you dont end up within 50 yards of a bull. You will probably need to be sub 20 yards for a shot due to the thick vegetation. Especially once they bed down.

Also rainy days with sunny breaks in the middle are the days i hear the most calling action. If you think the elk have left a canyon, let out a wolf howl that evening, if you get a wolf response, that means its time to hop over a ridge or two.

 

[Dburg322]

Just realized you cant PM.

I have found my best success hiking closed logging roads with the wind in my face till I either smell them, find fresh pee or poop, maybe hear a bugle, or something that indicates there are elk near by.

Then I go to still hunting, take 1-2 steps wait 10-15seconds take another 1-2 steps. I do this for hours, till I either spook them, loose the direction, or start heading into an area I don't want to pack an elk out of lol. Keep a cow call in your mouth and occasionally let a meow, especially if you make a mistake and step on a branch or have to crash through a bush. If you do this 3 days in a row, i would be surprised if you dont end up within 50 yards of a bull. You will probably need to be sub 20 yards for a shot due to the thick vegetation. Especially once they bed down.

Also rainy days with sunny breaks in the middle are the days i hear the most calling action. If you think the elk have left a canyon, let out a wolf howl that evening, if you get a wolf response, that means its time to hop over a ridge or two.

Thanks for input.

 

[Elkslut]

So you have a B tag, or just want to hunt when hunter density is greatest?