Idaho ELK/Deer combo hunt

[duckhunterrr]

Hello all,

I am currently in the process of trying to plan a trip to Idaho for DIY OTC tag combo for deer and elk. The only area I have been is in around Boise. I was hoping to have someone that maybe hunts the area provide me with some information in regards to this past winter, feed, water, and geography of some units. I am not asking for any personal spots, but was hoping for something to at least lead me in the right direction. Thank you all in advance. Feel free to DM me also.

 

[sfc2140]

You can always try the Biologist. They are really helpful if you get ahold of them and have good questions to ask.

 

[theleo91386]

The best advice I can offer is pick one or the other. Deer have really suffered in the good elk country this past winter, and from 2 winters ago. Elk hunting in the lower country where deer fared better has always been headache unless you've got first hand local knowledge and spot or two of private land. Pick one, hit it hard, and then realize you'd rather have gone to Colorado.

 

[GregB]

The winter in Idaho was not good. We got a lot of snow late in the year and winter kill was high. for the rest of the information you can use the fish and game website. IDFG site

 

[RedSnow]

Duckhunter I'm in the same boat for 2020. It will be my first elk hunt. We are looking at a Backpack style hunt. I don't think many people will share units in a public forum such as this. However there are some really good people active here that may send a PM with some info Best advice I've received here is pick a spot and go. If you can scout specific units before you apply for tags you are ahead of many, including myself I live in Michigan. Call the biologists to start!

 

[bigdesert10]

Start here:

Search Hunts | Idaho Hunt Planner

A filterable grid that allows one to search hunting opportunities in Idaho.

idfg.idaho.gov

Pick a couple that work. Take a look at harvest statistics. Then look at topo maps and land ownership information.

 

[idahohikker]

You’re in early stages. Enjoy the process and look everywhere on the Fish and Game website. Research populations. Winter kill fluctuates and you can’t change it. For deer it’s a real factor though and eastern and central Idaho (and parts of western) are really struggling with their herds after two big winters recently. For elk particularly you have big wilderness areas in the center of the state that have low populations due to predation and are difficult to access. Get on google earth and see what kind of terrain you want to hunt after you’ve narrowed down a bit. Be realistic about the terrain you can handle as much of Idaho is very steep. Success rates are usually really skewed up or down by outfitter numbers, private land, and road hunters so take them with two grains of salt.

Are you archery or rifle? If you’re a rifle hunter, I’m happy to share some general thoughts if you PM me. People can help more once you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for and have a better idea of what Idaho offers.

 

[juan trueno]

Most of the time i hunt my usual elk tag and then use my deer tag to check out other areas interest. In this way my “usual” elk tag has changed a couple times as I’ve learned new areas. dont worry about getting any direct firsthand experience from the forum. Even when someone tells you straight up what they’ve experienced- its almost always anecdote/ episode of / from there unique experience rather than a piece of information that you can generalize as you hunt that unit. The bio and map recon will tell you way way more about how to hunt a unit than 10 different guys who have hit it 1-2 times with varying (low) success. Actually. The guys will tell you the same story you could’ve gotten from the map.


Edit: there are several guys on the forum whose livelihood or a portion of it is derived from dispensing accurate information about how to hunt- and generally speaking how hunt discussions are way way more viable than where/why discussions.

 

[duckhunterrr]

For some reason it won’t let me send you a dm. Not sure if you are able to send me one so I can reply? I’m new to this forum so my apologies

 

[87TT]

What are you planning? An elk hunt that you might possibly run into a deer or the other way around? Pretty hard to do both at the same time and do it well. I have only been hunting here for three years but don't usually see that many deer when elk hunting and the same thing the other way. I "elk hunt" during the early/archery season with my bow and deer hunt with a rifle during the later rifle deer season. Like was said before, I use it for recon on new elk areas. Deer for me are like birds. Fun but take backseat with deer when it comes to elk. Might shoot one if the opportunity presents but not the focus.

 

[brn2hnt]

Archery or rifle? Not many places during rifle where the two tags would overlap around Treasure Valley...

I’ve found elk and deer to be in very different places in ID. If you find an area with one your prospects for the other are not that good.


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[idahohikker]

Archery or rifle? Not many places during rifle where the two tags would overlap around Treasure Valley...

I’ve found elk and deer to be in very different places in ID. If you find an area with one your prospects for the other are not that good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I think prioritization between the two is crucial also. There are seasons with overlap if you look for them but they’ll be more guys during those dates and the deer are often in different spots than the elk.

 

[duckhunterrr]

Thank you all who replied