Idaho newb with need for advise

[Cranny]

This is my second post after my introduction. Hunted Midwestern whitetails all my life, been living in Idaho the last 10 yrs and just started getting serious about the elk. Hunted hard this rifle season and have yet to get into the animals. Hunting unit 15 . Lots of wolf sign.

This is the last weekend of the season located a area I'd like to try and wanted your opinion on how me and my 12y/o boy should hunt it. This is a screen shot of the area we will try. The roads you see are all closed Logging roads we will hike in on. My plan was to check out the cuts in the a.m. Then move into the timber across from the cuts. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Themotorcitymadmanforpres]

That might not be a bad Idea, especially if your bringing a kid along, the hike should be nice and easy. One thing that you have to remember about elk is that they are herd animals, more so then deer. Where-as, if there is food, shelter, and water odds are there are deer living there. But with elk, they usually herd up and that makes them harder to find. It just takes a few years of hunting an area to figure out where the elk move to and where they come from. It took me a while to pattern the elk where I hunt in S.E. Idaho, but now if I'm not successfull in the archery season, a cow with the rifle is pretty much guarenteed for meat in the freezer every year. (Now watch me never kill an elk again.) But my advise to you would be to not give up! It sometimes takes weeks of glassing, (and make sure you grab a wolf tag or 4, you know.... just in case).

 

[Cranny]

Thanks for the reply. We will see how it goes this weekend...

 

[Themotorcitymadmanforpres]

How did it go? If it didn't go well, I would suggest using google maps to check out the area you want to hunt (like you have been). Use topo maps to check out elevations and imagry to check out how the area looks. I would find a nice peak along a ridge, were maybe there are no roads in the immediate area, and hike to the high point. From there I would glass all day, or as long as you can sit, move up and down the ridge, once you feel you've sufficiently glassed the area. When hunting a new area, it takes time just glassing and finding the animals, maybe they will be to far off from where you are sitting to hunt that day, but at least you will know where to go next time.

 

[2rocky]

Too late to help you on the elk but if you aren't finding elk just go further. I'm talking like 15 mile circles until you start smelling, hearing and bumping elk. I wasted time hunting elk, where there were not, for 4 years in North Idaho. I wasn't covering enough ground.

Cranny if you have the late Whitetail tag, that will only get better for the next month.

If you can find a river canyon, work along the ridge with the wind in your face about 200-500 yards below the last part of the ridge visible from the logging road. Rattle on the fingers where you can see and shoot across. Sit tight for 30-45 minutes between sets. If there is a ridgetop without a road on it, check for scrapes along there.

 

[Cranny]

Well we didn't get into any elk this year. Had to hunt on the weekends only and defiantly didn't cover enough ground to get into them. I'm going to be doing a lot more scouting in the off season for sure. Check out different areas to give me a plan b,c,or d instead of putting my eggs in one area...

I will be hunting that spot again however cause I bagged this beast on Sunday the 3rd.. Old mountain buck. Caught him gawking at us as we made our way down a steep hillside as if he was saying what the hell are these idiots doing, no one comes down this far...lol

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[Shrek]

Congratulations ! He looks old with the tattered ears and in the face but the teeth will tell. I know I'd be happy with him.

 

[Cranny]

Thanks Shrek, I have sure enjoyed following your thread and hope your luck turns around for you on your trip.

 

[AZ Vince]

Cranny, that's a nice one and congrats!
Better luck next year on elk.

 

[2rocky]

Done Good. Does your 12 yo have a tag?

 

[Cranny]

He got his first deer opening weekend, lucky fart. Little 5x5. Stood there broadside forever getting him time to set up and make a shot. Just like it was meant to

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[DWarcher]

Nice work Cranny...I'll be heading back to your neck of the woods here in a few weeks to do the same.

 

[Cranny]

Thanks DW, good luck on your trip.

 

[2rocky]

Nice job both of you on the bucks.