Lemhi, Idaho Elk Hunting Blues

Joined
Oct 3, 2017
Messages
1,127
Location
Too far east
This UNIT 29, Sparky has 35,000 acres private land in his advertisements. Is it worth $9,500 ??
Or is the area swamped with orange men OTC? I never hunted Idaho. Looking to get away from Colorado, but I'd like to get a small bull.
 
OP
MWElk hunter
Joined
Dec 22, 2019
Messages
76
This UNIT 29, Sparky has 35,000 acres private land in his advertisements. Is it worth $9,500 ??
Or is the area swamped with orange men OTC? I never hunted Idaho. Looking to get away from Colorado, but I'd like to get a small bull.
I have no idea. I was on public ground. I was also hunting with a bow.
 
Joined
Nov 5, 2023
Messages
537
Location
Eastern Idaho
Lemhi is unit 29 at Leadore i believe. All the elk are on Sparky's land and all the hunters are on the public land. 100's of hunters , upon 100's of hunters. Made that mistake in 2017. Wont hunt that area again.
Same here and I live in Idaho.
 
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Joined
Jul 17, 2022
Messages
92
you went to one of the most publicized archery units in Idaho. Been that way since the 90s. And hey, you shot an elk!

Sorry you were disappointed, but I find this one hard to pin on F&G. If they cut tags up there, be ready to not hunt it as you won't get a tag. Just the way it is as soon as they cap it. all the hunt services list it as a must apply, and only a handful of guys get to go. Then the pendulum swings the other way, "I can't draw! DAMN ( )ahns" fill in the state.

Keep trying, you learned where the elk are. And most people didn't report a heavy bugle (yet) this year. go back next year and take advantage of what you learned. Or start over somewhere else (that will have hunters too)
Gotta agree with you on this Robby, more regs and putting a cap on a unit that is already capped for rifles on elk will just prevent us from being able to chase elk with a bow. Gotta have Realistic expectations on a unit you have never hunted. I’ve spent a life time learning the unit that I hunt and find that more time spent in the field and learning animal behavior in your unit can separate you from the crowds and from zones elk just don’t hangout in during your season. More time spent in the field and boots on the ground! Everyone should look into Robby Dennings books it has changed my entire perspective on hunting.
 

Glendon Mullins

Hillbilly Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
2,408
Location
Highland County Virginia
Why I chuckle when the eastern WT hunters say it's impossible to "hunt the wind" in their location.

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Well in our defense, we cant really walk all zigg zaggedy over the mountains out here, the leaves make to much noise for all that lol. Don't get me wrong, wish I could "walk with the wind" as it would be alot of fun to hunt that way vs sitting in one spot lol. When we get rain, you can somewhat do it as the leaves are wet and you can slip along, or when it snows. But generally the leaves are dry as can be

If we tried to hunt the way you are saying our hunt would sound alot like this....

 

SteveSacs

FNG
Joined
Jan 4, 2022
Messages
11
I've hunted this area a few times with Sparky. The leases that he has are awesome. This is not the place to go if you want to hear screaming bulls and stomp around the mountains. He Leases the cattle ranches in the valley and constantly has elk coming into the pivots to feed at night. You hunt this place as you would whitetail coming into food plots, to and from their bedding. I know they had a really good year for the 2024 season, as I'm close with Sparky and one of his head guides. I've never hunted the BLM , as we stay within the boundaries of his ranches but as I have seen it, a lot of the pressure the elk receive up on the blm can keeps them down in the willows on private property.
 
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