Idaho unit 11 Late muzzleloader elk hunt

[Versydus]

Hey everyone, best friend and I are looking into a late hunt in unit 11 dates are Nov 25-Dec 4. We are on the fence as to apply for this tag and hopefully draw it but miss out on achery season. Really would like to know the current elk situation down there if any one has been in that area around those dates. Do they elk stay in the timber or do they move to the breaks above the Snake and Salmnlon rivers? It would be an any elk tag so not super concerned on size of a bull just want to weight the options as we would have time off to pack in versus trying to find time to hunt during harvest. Thanks for the input and help

 

[b0nes]

First where are you from? This hunt is only for the physically phenomenal with fantastic shooting ability with a traditional mz. If you have access to a jetboat and are willing to bivy up 3000 feet from the bottom you might have a shot at a raghorn or spike. Big bulls on this hunt are almost never killed unless you are extremely motivated, local, and what has already been said.

 

[Versydus]

I live about 1.5 hrs north, buddy's an Idaho resident just east of me. don't have access to a jet boat however I can come in from Waha or Winchester either by sled or 4x4 depending on conditions. Decent shot with a WA legal load have to work up a good Idaho load as I can't shoot Barnes TMZs in ID.
Hoping to see something nice but ragshorns do eat better than an old worn out bull.

 

[jtl]

I've hunted 11 once for elk and won't do it again. There are some nice bulls in there, but it gets too much pressure in my opinion. It really gets hammered with all of the cow tags in October.

As already mentioned, it's about as steep as it gets so you better be in good shape. The elk do come down close to the Snake and Salmon, I wouldn't waste my time up in the timber on top, especially not on a tag that late in the season. If you do it, I would either drive out to the end of the road and plan to hike down a few thousand feet and camp, or take a boat up the river and do it the other way. Obviously packing an elk down to the river is much better than back up on top to the road.

 

[HellsCanyon]

Tough hunt but doable for sure. Have friends who draw this tag fairly often and they work their asses off. There are some big bulls left in the unit, but that time of year they are off in some hell hole alone where no one will bother them and you have to cover a LOT of ground to find them. Smaller bulls will often be bachelor'd back up with each other, hanging in some canyon hell hole 2k' up from the river or 1k' down from the top.

You'll find large herds of cows and spikes/rags down lower that time of year as well.

Be in great shape mentally, and fairly consistent shape physically and you'll be fine.

Mike

 

[Versydus]

Thanks for the input, definitely will be tough just finding something worthwhile. Application is submitted. Looking forward to hopefully putting some boots on the ground

 

[Jbark60]

Brutal hunts make the best memories, we've had success on that hunt in seeing a lot of elk but have never ruined the hunt by getting one.

 

[b0nes]

If you do draw let me know id be more than happy to point you to some spots i would try first from the top. Also it is a very weather dependant hunt. I've been up there that time of year and it was 55 in the day and bluebird skies, I've also been up there and the high for the day was 20 degrees and had 40 mph gusts coming through.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I was in there a few years ago in mid-November hunting mule deer. We saw lots of elk, including several bulls, but none that got me too excited. We were hunting pretty open country and I was thinking at the time that it would be pretty tough to stalk within open-sighted muzzleloader range — at least with my stalking abilities, or lack thereof. With that said, it would still be a heck of a fun hunt and the country is beautiful.

There are 35 deer tags and 200 antlerless elk tags in Unit 11 that have a season closing date of 11/24. If you draw the tag, you might want to get into the area a couple of days before opening day and see what info you can get from these hunters. There were a lot of big camps on top when I was in there. My brother has a cabin on the Snake, so we hunted from the river, too, but the elk we saw would have been much easier to get to from the top. Good luck!

 

[Versydus]

I was in there a few years ago in mid-November hunting mule deer. We saw lots of elk, including several bulls, but none that got me too excited. We were hunting pretty open country and I was thinking at the time that it would be pretty tough to stalk within open-sighted muzzleloader range — at least with my stalking abilities, or lack thereof. With that said, it would still be a heck of a fun hunt and the country is beautiful.

There are 35 deer tags and 200 antlerless elk tags in Unit 11 that have a season closing date of 11/24. If you draw the tag, you might want to get into the area a couple of days before opening day and see what info you can get from these hunters. There were a lot of big camps on top when I was in there. My brother has a cabin on the Snake, so we hunted from the river, too, but the elk we saw would have been much easier to get to from the top. Good luck!

No luck on the draw... 0 for 8 in Idaho and Washington. Thanks for the advice though

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[Jdcollins86]

Bringing this one back alive. I drew 2001 this year. I watched a 4 and a 5 go at the day before the opener, and seen few bulls off of captain Jon. Anyone know roughly what elevation they will be at during the the tail end of October beginning of November? It’s my next real window to actually set up a camp somewhat low.

 

[Huntnnw]

you can see elk from the river up to the top, this cold and snow coming this weekend I bet moves some elk lower