Idaho season recap and questions

[Thomasj1107]

First time OTC in Idaho. We spent the first two weeks (minus a couple days) in the field and although we saw a lot of elk through the glass, and had encountered several bulls on opening morning at about 70 yds, the remainder of the time was just quiet and frustrating. The last night of the two weeks the a couple bulls fired up and finally it felt like we were hunting. Got close but ran out of light. Went back in solo 4 days later for a 48 hr go at it and things were way different. Had a bull at 25 with no shot, several cows close, chased more bugles than I can count, got close on another at last light, and just overall had a great time but came up short. I think in the end just realized we were so excited for the season that we jumped the gun and hunted the two wrong weeks. Feel like if the dates had been adjusted there’d be a bull down in there somewhere.

With all that said, the area we hunted had a lot of hunters along the road in and at the trailheads, but it seemed that the direction we went and the roughly 7-10 square miles we focused more didn’t have a single hunter in them. There was one day a random guy popped out of a drainage from nowhere, but other than that didn’t hear another hunter call, didn’t see another hunter going our direction, and didn’t see another boot track that entire time. The first two weeks I would’ve thought the reason was because there were no elk, but my eyes new that wasn’t the cast and the last 72 hrs in the area and the (literally) hundreds and hundreds of bugles proved otherwise. I know where we hunted was pretty damn steep. Not so much steep where it’s like oh man I can’t walk up this at all, but more so like I’m over here and the elk are over there and it’s just too damn steep to get down and back up in time kinda steep if that makes sense…

Does anyone else experience areas like this where they know it’s loaded with elk and IS accessible but it seems like for whatever reason just other people aren’t hunting it? Or am I missing something or haven’t thought of something or what?

 

[Thomasj1107]

Anyone?

 

[bow_dozer]

If that’s your conclusion that’s it’s loaded with elk and people arnt hunting it, I’m confused what your question is. Go back and figure out how to seal the deal next year.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Sounds like you had a great hunt. Everything you experienced seems pretty typical … lots of hunters where the access points are, less where there’s less access , Hot and cold rut action…that’s how it goes man

 

[oldhornhunter]

Sounds like 99% of all of Idaho's archery & rifle units these days !! IF&G are allowing WAY to many hunters in units that have 50% or more private land in them. Not sure what unit you were in but most of the units had little to No rutting activity this year before the 15th. The unit I hunted I had one encounter all season & that was the 13th, never heard a single bugle before or after & it didnt matter if I was at 3000' or 6500' . My sons were hunting further north in another unit & they were hearing scattered bugles the 15th on, but they had no actual encounters of fired up bulls. Sounds like you found a decent area with a good # of bulls, my suggestion would be hit it again next year only hunt after the 15th !!

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

Sounds like my hunt this year in the unit I was in. Lots of cars and camp sites full of hunters, but I only ran into one pair of guys that were deep in the timber one time in the two weeks I was out. I had wolves howling in the distance two different nights too.

Despite all that, I had a total of two days in the entire two weeks that we weren’t in them or didn’t hear them. It turned out to be the best elk hunting trip I’ve had in memory. Overall, I have no complaints whatsoever. If every year is like this year going forward, I’m going to be a really happy guy. Lesson is: don’t sweat all the people and predators. They’re still there and it’s still fun.

 

[Customweld]

I think a lot of guys go into elk country with macro habitat in mind (if that makes sense) Instead of concentrating on a huge basin, I try to think more micro area. I very rarely hunt an actual trail system. I'll pick a drainage, or even a small gulch that has cover, water and feed and a lot of times these areas are looked over in the chase for a big pituresque basin that is the epitome of elk country. Lots of folks pass elk in the quest to get away from everyone.