ID Lolo Zone

[Ben]

Hey All,

I'm doing my first out of state hunt this year and settled o he Lolo zone of ID. I'm aware of the excessive predator issues, but am attracted to the scenery, steep country, and challenge. If I connect with an elk, it will be my first and I want to 'earn' it. My poured over google earth and an atlas and have found multiple areas I want to investigate. My scouting trip so far turned into a no go since my wife is due with our first born anytime between now and August.

Is there anyone here that has hunted the area and is willing to let me bounce ideas off them to see if I'm heading in the right direction?

As of now, I'm looking at the first week of archery season and back packing in for 5-7 nights.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[dreamingbig]

I had a similar planning/logistic issue. I picked my 3 best ideas, knew them inside and out and then called the local game biologist. He was a very good resource once he realized I had done my homework.


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[Ben]

I've called a few times but haven't gotten an answer yet. I work odd hours and days so it often makes phone calls tough.

 

[Idahogobbler]

I hunted the Lolo zone for 4 years it has been 5 years sense I have hunted it so things could have changed. I do t want to discourage you but between the first week of archery season and the area you are wanting to hunt your setting your self up for failure. Like I said I don't want to discourage you and am not questioning your hunting abilities what so ever. I'll be glad to point you in the the best direction I can think of if you'd like to pm me...


Colton


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[GoodToGoGuy]

I'm also interested in this thread. I'm in a similar boat.... Won't be able to get away and put actual boots on the ground for pre-season scouting due to my job (law enforcement). It will be my first out of state hunt and first elk hunt. I have been looking into the Lolo Zone as well and what I have gathered so far is that there are a lot of hunters and a lot of wolves. Not expecting to get into giant trophy bulls but I would love to have the opportunity to close the deal on an elk. I will be backpacking in for 5-7 days as well and going during archery season. I have also been looking into the Island Park, Palisades, Tex Creek, Salmon, Diamond Creek, and Selway area's as well. I have a GoHunt.com membership but I'll be honest, without some pointers it has been overwhelming looking at all the different zones and units. Lol. It seems like a great majority of the units I've looked at so far are overrun with wolves and it has drastically affected the elk populations. This will be for a 2017 hunt btw.


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[Ben]

I'm also interested in this thread. I'm in a similar boat.... Won't be able to get away and put actual boots on the ground for pre-season scouting due to my job (law enforcement). It will be my first out of state hunt and first elk hunt. I have been looking into the Lolo Zone as well and what I have gathered so far is that there are a lot of hunters and a lot of wolves. Not expecting to get into giant trophy bulls but I would love to have the opportunity to close the deal on an elk. I will be backpacking in for 5-7 days as well and going during archery season. I have also been looking into the Island Park, Palisades, Tex Creek, Salmon, Diamond Creek, and Selway area's as well. I have a GoHunt.com membership but I'll be honest, without some pointers it has been overwhelming looking at all the different zones and units. Lol. It seems like a great majority of the units I've looked at so far are overrun with wolves and it has drastically affected the elk populations. This will be for a 2017 hunt btw.


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Send me a message after this season and I'll share some info with you on the Lolo Zone. It took me hours upon hours on go hunt to settle on this zone and I still don't know if I made the right decision so I feel your frustration.

 

[GoodToGoGuy]

Right on brother. It seems like every zone/unit has its pro's and con's. Some have a lot of wolves, some have a lot of hunters, some have Grizzlies, some have limited public access, some allow atv's. I guess trying to find a happy medium is best. I'll be giving a local biologist/warden a call but only after I research a given area extensively and have specific questions for them to answer. I'm sure they get tons of calls every season and would be more willing to share information if they know I've done my homework. Those eastern units look real good on paper though.


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[Jason Snyder]

Everything comes at a cost, regardless of which zone you settle on. I will tell you this, the Lolo county is not for the faint of heart. It can be unbelievably steep and brushy. It's also beautiful, and has some very good bulls. If the elk are not responding to calling it could be very tough.

 

[GoodToGoGuy]

Like I said this will be my first elk hunt but I've always guessed that besides the physical aspect the most challenging part is when they aren't talking. I'd bet glassing meadows in the mornings and evening could be somewhat productive if they aren't talking. And at that point I guess it would be more of a spot and stalk game.

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[flytrait]

Great question guy's, seems that you have done some of the homework required. I hunted the LOLO for several years and finally gave it up about 4 years ago as well. We have killed bulls in there every year and some great ones at that. To be really honest it has been going down hill for several years as each year it was getting harder and harder to find bulls. Where we used to hike 2-3 miles in the beginning it became 8-12 miles daily, and yes that country tears you up. You really need to mobile there to find the elk, hiking in and concentrating on one area packing in can turn your hunt sour. Be ready to jump over 3-4 miles into a different drainage at the drop of a hat, calling "bugling" is the only way to locate elk in this area due the dense and steep country. I gave some advise to a party of hunters last year with GPS coordinates and they managed to kill a couple of bulls, but they said they will not go back to that unit again and they are very experienced elk hunters. As far as hunting pressure, it is fairly light compared to other general areas. YES there are a lot of wolves there as well, I have been surrounded twice while calling in a bull, and well that did not work out very well me or the bull. Make sure your expectations are in line with the area that you are choosing. JMHO

 

[Ben]

Everything comes at a cost, regardless of which zone you settle on. I will tell you this, the Lolo county is not for the faint of heart. It can be unbelievably steep and brushy. It's also beautiful, and has some very good bulls. If the elk are not responding to calling it could be very tough.

Sounds I picked the right place

 

[Talltimber73]

So how did your hint go?

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