Idaho Weiser River Zone B Tag vs Boise River Zone

[silverbullet555]

Good day all,

working to sort out the season for my boy and I. My son is 13 and each year gets a little more into it. We both have elk and deer tags that overlap, but in different areas at the moment. We have a short window where we could trade our elk tags to be in the same unit and not overlapping dates, but with a much shorter season.

I'm looking for any insight into the Weiser river zone. I know the elk herds in the area are over objective, but I've never hunted there before.

For reference, I have hunted in Hells Canyon and Boise River and am somewhat comfortable there. My son may be challenged with some of that terrain in the upper part of Unit 22 which borders Hells Canyon.

Anyone have general experiences in the Weiser River Zone? I am not looking for your locations. General insights in the unit would be helpful.

 

[brn2hnt]

More crowded than Boise river if that is even possible. More access than Boise river.

Based on your post I’m assuming you deer hunt in 39 though?

If it were me I’d want to hunt in the same zone as I deer hunted, you double your time in a zone (hence learning) just by hunting twice as many seasons.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[silverbullet555]

More crowded than Boise river if that is even possible. More access than Boise river.

Based on your post I’m assuming you deer hunt in 39 though?

If it were me I’d want to hunt in the same zone as I deer hunted, you double your time in a zone (hence learning) just by hunting twice as many seasons.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seriously? Weiser is busier than Boise River?

 

[Customweld]

Seriously? Weiser is busier than Boise River?

IMO, yes. Lots of roads and access.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Weiser River is a zoo, to many roads and to many hunters. There's quite a bit of private property and that contributes to the crowding on public land.

 

[Riflehuntr19]

Weiser is busier on average I think. 39 has some spots that are totally nuts and may be the busiest in the state. Finding where the pressure evolves in the unit over time is not easy as well.

 

[silverbullet555]

Wow. I didn't think it would be that busy. Have to rethink my plan. Maybe take my son to weiser river for a cow and I'll hunt 39 for a bull.

 

[mwebs]

Did you not look at the statistics readily available on IDFG along with maps of road access. Pretty basic math there...

 

[silverbullet555]

Did you not look at the statistics readily available on IDFG along with maps of road access. Pretty basic math there...

In all honesty, no. I do for draw tags and I normally do for everything, but didn't in this case.

I did talk to some of the individuals from FG and got some insight into some of the areas that people don't want to hike into.

I like the longer season in that unit. Time will tell what I decide to do.

 

[brn2hnt]

Longer season? Aren’t they both 9 days?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I was in Weiser Zone 3-4 years ago for deer. Went for a day hunt. Got up early. Apparently not early enough! There was a massive line of trucks headed up the same road. Looked like midday rush hour at 4:30 am. Campers anywhere feasible. Trucks all over. Lots of quads zooming around. I don't hunt this unit but my normal hunt was cut short so I was limited. I'm sure you could find some pockets that people are less likely to hike into. With that many people there are likely plenty that will.

I was glassing a drainage and a father/son, well after I was settled, came and started glassing the same drainage. Sat 20 yards from me. Public land so it's all good but I wouldn't have done that.

Eventually this guy started to talking to me and I stopped feeling p/o after a while. Nice guy but he loves the pressure and doesn't mind people all over the place. Gets the animals moving he said. Can't argue that. He had an aggressive hunting style.

My buddy hunts same areas near Sage Hen and he had an unknown hunter, who was above him and fairly close per his report, shooting over the top of him at an elk.

Point is going there be prepared for war. Wear orange. Be prepared to be aggressive if you want a chance. I don't fit that profile. For me it was a one day experience. Never been back.

I would be at your spot 1-2 hours before sunlight. High lonely spot with roads below you. Let the masses move the animals. I suspect more than a few will move up to get to get away from Boiseopoulos.

 

[D_shear]

Hunted it last year first time I have seen idaho residents wear orange. It was as busy as any area I have seen on opening day but as the week went on it thinned out quite a bit. The first few days were a joke though with the amount of people. The locals know where the elk are at and they will get there hours before daylight. We found cows everyday by just covering ground but did manage to kill a bull the day before we had to leave.

 

[silverbullet555]

Thanks for all the info. At this point, we'll still hunt the unit and most of my hunting will be midweek as that is how my schedule will fall. I like the longer season and potential for a cow if I am not successful on a bull. Good reminder on the orange to be safe.

 

[Bigbuckbandit]

I would honestly avoid both areas. Unless you like combat hunting with thousands of other people.

 

[Customweld]

Just a heads up, it sounds like the south end of 22 has a fast moving fire. It broke out last night and is being reported at 16k-20k acres.

 

[brn2hnt]

Just a heads up, it sounds like the south end of 22 has a fast moving fire. It broke out last night and is being reported at 16k-20k acres.

Bailed off the Mtn last night. Super high winds, saw several trees fall within sight and had to cut one on my way out.

Hoping they stop it before it gets out of the grass into that timber/brush mix.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Customweld]

Bailed off the Mtn last night. Super high winds, saw several trees fall within sight and had to cut one on my way out.

Hoping they stop it before it gets out of the grass into that timber/brush mix.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If they can't keep it out of Rush Creek, it'll be hard to stop. I seen a couple of reports that it was spotting in Mill Creek in 31 as well.

 

[brn2hnt]

If they can't keep it out of Rush Creek, it'll be hard to stop. I seen a couple of reports that it was spotting in Mill Creek in 31 as well.

Forget rush, if it makes it to east pine or no biz it’s gonna be trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Customweld]

The maps show it has already blown through E Pine.

National Fire Situational Awareness

maps.nwcg.gov

 

[brn2hnt]

Fair, I was more meaning further up in those canyons. They get nasty and hard to access fast


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk