Idaho Pioneer Zone Archery Elk

Sounds like the place will be empty next season with all you guys leaving. Might actually be worth a shot now for OP looking for a unit in Idaho haha

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You could pull 1000 guys out of that zone and it'd still be a zoo. Nothing worse than running into other hunters in the field if you ask me. Not sure why people fight the masses when there are so many other zones with far less pressure.
 
My ancestors mined and herded sheep in that zone, and as such, my family has hunted it for over 100 years. It's hard to let it go, but I've never seen it as overrun as it was this year. There are still a few critters in there, but the density of players is disheartening. I know folks are always talking about hunter recruitment, but I wish some of these guys would take up golf.
 
I’ve hunted the pioneer zone for 10 years now! It really depends on the year sometimes, but these last couple years has been near impossible to get away from people. You will find Elk, but they usually have more hunters than elk going after them!! Like someone else said earlier as well, the ridges are not really long enough to merit a long backcountry pack. After 2-3 miles you’ll most likely be halfway between 2 other access points to the area! Not near far enough away to get away from others!! Also it terrain is very steep and all the elk are high 99% of the time. It’s definitely a challenge!!


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Man, you guys surprise me. I've hunted the zone for a number of years and, other than on the roads, I can't remember the last time I saw another hunter. I guess I'm just lucky!
 
Wonder why it’s a zoo 🤔🤔
People come on forums blasting out unit info

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bigdesert10 said:
My ancestors mined and herded sheep in that zone, and as such, my family has hunted it for over 100 years. It's hard to let it go, but I've never seen it as overrun as it was this year. There are still a few critters in there, but the density of players is disheartening. I know folks are always talking about hunter recruitment, but I wish some of these guys would take up golf.
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I’m with ya, **** Hunter recruitment it’s a scam anyway.
Maybe YouTube will ban hunting vids, that would help us out some too
 
Idahohillboy said:
This place has been ruined I grew up here. along with The Smokey zone. Thanks to social media, Eastmans, Hunting Fool, poor hunter management by IDF&G and TV episodes. It's like a zoo circus carnival shit show.. 5 years ago it was amazing last year it was hell along with the zone across highway 75 which used to be my favorite. Idaho needs to put tag caps on all the zones to spread the hunters out more evenly. This would preserve the overall experience for all the hunters non res and res. This would make it better not saying limit the amount of state tags just how many people can hammer a certain zone.

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What Idaho really needs to do is get rid of the GD wolves...but that's a topic for a different thread.

The problem with Idaho is it is an opportunity state through and through, from the late draws to the BS forked horn deer hunts in prime mule deer country to the oversold elk units. The animals don't stand a chance here with the enormous amounts of pressure. In any case, I agree with you. What was once good is now lackluster. I wish it could go back to the way it was but I don't see that happening...especially with Boise exploding in population.

For the OP, be prepared for steep country and elevation. If you've hunted Colorado then you know. As others have said, it is crowded. This fire season was bad so I'm sure the units that had closures didn't help this unit at all. As far as grizzlies go, always always always be prepared and expect to see them if you're anywhere close to Montana or Wyoming. I do not think they have expanded that far yet, but it seems every year there are sightings much further in than the year before. It won't be long before they are in the Sun Valley area. Good luck!
 
mathews8pt said:
Ive hunted it the last 3 years. Middle of September has been busy the 2 years we went during that time. The year we went for opener i Killed a bull the 2nd day of season, and saw very few hunters compared to the other years. Last year was crazy busy in the area i hunt, possibly due to the fires. Trail heads we had planned to pack in from had multiple trucks and a couple horse trailers so we never bothered. Hunted within 2 miles of the car as the crow flies and saw elk everyday, but just never got a shot opportunity.

This is the only area ive ever hunted for elk, so i dont have much frame of reference but from some of the guys ive talked to this can be one of the steeper areas to hunt. I know we gain 1200-1500' of elevation every morning before we even get into good elk sign and it's normally a 4000' gain/loss day with 5-7 miles total hiked. There are not many big long ridges that you will find to run in the areas i hunt which means a lot of gain/loss to cover a lot of ground. 10 days of that will wear on a guy from Ohio. haha.
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Im a guy from Ohio too, just moved to Idaho last year. My friends from Ohio are coming out for opening week archery elk 2021 in the pioneer zone. I plan on scouting the area at least a couple times before season but would love to chat about some ideas and advice for "some ohio guys". Thanks!
 
Whitetail_Walleye said:
Im a guy from Ohio too, just moved to Idaho last year. My friends from Ohio are coming out for opening week archery elk 2021 in the pioneer zone. I plan on scouting the area at least a couple times before season but would love to chat about some ideas and advice for "some ohio guys". Thanks!
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They scored tags before they sold out,eh? They want to come opening week for any particular reason? Seems like the rut keeps getting later and later everywhere because of changing weather. Remind them that Ohio deer season is open til Feb, archery elk ends on Sep 30th.

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338maker said:
Idaho in general !!!
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Not really. 90% of new arrivals are centered around Boise/ Nampa/Caldwell/ Meridian and up in CDA. Big money types to Sun Valley. Once you get away from the metro areas the numbers haven't jumped like those mentioned above. Boise will be Bay Area North by 2022.

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sneaky said:
Not really. 90% of new arrivals are centered around Boise/ Nampa/Caldwell/ Meridian and up in CDA. Big money types to Sun Valley. Once you get away from the metro areas the numbers haven't jumped like those mentioned above. Boise will be Bay Area North by 2022.

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you'd be blown away with all the transplants in little towns also.. kinda sad my home town I visit anymore I don't recognize anyone! and they're trying to turn it blue!!
 
338maker said:
you'd be blown away with all the transplants in little towns also.. kinda sad my home town I visit anymore I don't recognize anyone! and they're trying to turn it blue!!
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I live in an area full of small towns, they aren't moving here. Too far from Walmart and Costco, too cold in the winter. It keeps the riff raff out lol.

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IdahoElk said:
Sun Valley/Ketchum
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Yep, but most of those aren't hunting. Now, fly fishing is a different story. That's trendy on that side of the mountain. And mountain biking, and sitting in hot springs for Instagram... and ground zero for that nonsense group "Living with Wolves "

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sneaky said:
Yep, but most of those aren't hunting. Now, fly fishing is a different story. That's trendy on that side of the mountain. And mountain biking, and sitting in hot springs for Instagram... and ground zero for that nonsense group "Living with Wolves "

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You would laugh at the amount of first lite I see every day here, hope they’re all not hunters. You would be correct about them fishing.
 
IdahoElk said:
You would laugh at the amount of first lite I see every day here, hope they’re all not hunters. You would be correct about them fishing.
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They fit right in with First Lite's demographic. I hate going over there for work, I've ran into all types. Most of the new residents I've ran into are more concerned with the skiing than they are hunting. Good thing it doesn't rain that much over there or they'd all drown with their noses that high in the air. It's certainly easy to pick out locals, they actually speak to you. I feel for you having to deal with that on the daily.

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