Idaho Elk

ELK_Dre@mer said:
Lol!!! The trip was a bust as you all said it would be. While it was a fun week away from life, I didn’t see a single elk! We busted our asses just to get them handed back to us. Learned a lot about what not to do and where not go. It rained a lot and snowed a little while we were there making things a little miserable. You can all bask in your glory of being correct. I’m a stupid newbie to elk hunting but I’ll be back real soon (in a new unit). Lol! Steep is an understatement for the Frank and we felt really handcuffed in many cases. On a positive note I caught some cut throat on the last day because I said F hunting and decided to go to the bottom and fish for a while. Thanks to everyone for any info and honesty. I learned a lot and can’t wait to come back!
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Not the first won’t be the last, and next year when someone posts about hunting in the Frank and you give them your advice and they “yeah but” you can just sit back and smile.
 
Yeah, when they post up they've been hitting the bleachers and they're in top shape you can giggle to yourself and think "they have NO idea".

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Hey man i saw your post about hunting in the Frank Church from a few years ago. We are considering 20A and wanted to see if you had any information you are willing to share.
 
ELK_Dre@mer said:
Hi guys, I have been reading a lot on here. I understand all the numbers and whatnot. I wanted to hunt elk so bad this year (first time) that me and some buddies dove in and ended up buying tags for middle fork. We will be applying for a controlled hunt but I am not going to hold out much hope for that. I keep reading that the Stoddard bridge is out? Is this still the case? We will be arriving around October 10th and hunting until the 16th. From most of my research (which is far from done) , it seems most access is on the East side of the units with very little access on the West side. I have been looking at wintering areas thinking maybe elk would be moving towards those?? IDK because I am just getting into elk so I dont know $h*t. I am going to call some aviation places but I am a machine when it comes to fitness and I am ready to pack in as far as I need to and we will have a hot tent. Sorry if I am hijacking your post as you're heading there in September.
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Hey man did you guys have any luck on this hunt. We are going in the fall and are looking for some general information if you are willing to share. Not expecting any specific locations or anything.
 
elabbe63 said:
Hey man did you guys have any luck on this hunt. We are going in the fall and are looking for some general information if you are willing to share. Not expecting any specific locations or anything.

Only tag in m pocket.
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Frame the tag and hang it on the wall.
 
elabbe63 said:
Man you guys are hard on this unit. I know there are better places, I have hunted some. We are in for the adventure as much as the hunt. I've been training on the bleachers already. :)
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It’s very difficult. I’ve hunted it twice and so a guy I work with asked me about what caliber of bull to expect. I told him to shoot the first bull they see as it’s probably the only bull they will see. He was very interested in knowing exactly how big of bulls I had seen and I laughed. I asked him how it went after he got back and he said him and his dad saw zero elk. They were pretty optimistic before the hunt, especially since they had the earlier rifle tag that I believe is during the rut. Have fun! It’s very cool country.
 
Braaap said:
It’s very difficult. I’ve hunted it twice and so a guy I work with asked me about what caliber of bull to expect. I told him to shoot the first bull they see as it’s probably the only bull they will see. He was very interested in knowing exactly how big of bulls I had seen and I laughed. I asked him how it went after he got back and he said him and his dad saw zero elk. They were pretty optimistic before the hunt, especially since they had the earlier rifle tag that I believe is during the rut. Have fun! It’s very cool country.
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Might I ask which of the 3 units you hunted. Did you fly in, boat, horses?
 
Flying in sounds like a great idea, except that everyone with a checkbook big enough to pay for the flight is there too. As well as some that have their own plane. I've hunted the area, most airstrips are like campgrounds in hunting season, literally like a dozen or more tents along the runway. Who knows how many that camped away from the runway. A friend used to work for IDFG, he said the rule was pretty much 4 miles from an airstrip to see anything bigger than a 2 point buck. Most, if not all, airstrips also have at least on outfitter based out of there.
Its big country, not big like Colorado, but BIG! and steep. The few roads into the unit will have very high hunting pressure as well, with the roads often at the top of the ridge. I don't pack meat UPhill 5 miles.

I have hunted all 3 units. Some of it is easier to hunt than others, but animals numbers are not particularly high. And, from what I have seen, elk in that area are not very vocal, even at the peak of the rut.
 
Wagondriver said:
Flying in sounds like a great idea, except that everyone with a checkbook big enough to pay for the flight is there too. As well as some that have their own plane. I've hunted the area, most airstrips are like campgrounds in hunting season, literally like a dozen or more tents along the runway. Who knows how many that camped away from the runway. A friend used to work for IDFG, he said the rule was pretty much 4 miles from an airstrip to see anything bigger than a 2 point buck. Most, if not all, airstrips also have at least on outfitter based out of there.
Its big country, not big like Colorado, but BIG! and steep. The few roads into the unit will have very high hunting pressure as well, with the roads often at the top of the ridge. I don't pack meat UPhill 5 miles.

I have hunted all 3 units. Some of it is easier to hunt than others, but animals numbers are not particularly high. And, from what I have seen, elk in that area are not very vocal, even at the peak of the rut.
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We intend to keep camp on our backs and not have a base camp until we get into them. We plan on scouting three air strips in the event of wildfires (flying in DIY is a hell of a lot cheaper than any guided hunt). Selecting a unit seems to be a challenge as we are getting some conflicting information. Would definitely appreciate any experienced suggestions.
 
Me and a friend on going in this fall for the Sept. rifle hunt planning on hiking about 4-5 miles from airstrip and set up base camp from there. I have been in the crank church once many years ago. Cool country. If you go make sure to get a wolf tag and become member of foundation of wildlife management. You can get reimbursed up to $2000 for a wolf that pays for a good portion of the trip.
 
BigCountry34 said:
Me and a friend on going in this fall for the Sept. rifle hunt planning on hiking about 4-5 miles from airstrip and set up base camp from there. I have been in the crank church once many years ago. Cool country. If you go make sure to get a wolf tag and become member of foundation of wildlife management. You can get reimbursed up to $2000 for a wolf that pays for a good portion of the trip.
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Man I had no idea about the reimbursement, that is a huge pro tip. Much appreciated.
 
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