Posted here because the elk forum gets more traffic I believe. Nonresidents ask about elk hunting in Idaho way more than predator hunting. Elk tags are getting more sparse in the West. Predator populations are thriving. Residents would be more willing to help nonresidents coming here to help the elk rather than just take one home. Why don’t nonresidents start to focus just a little bit on intentional predator hunting?
I’m happy to provide some general info to nonresidents looking to bear, wolf, or lion hunt in Idaho. Cheap tags. No tag quota I’m aware of. Lots of public land to get after it. There are many other residents who know more than me who I bet would help also. Other western states have good predator hunting options to consider.
First suggestion for all the guys wanting to hunt the Frank but have no clue the elk numbers there are in the tank: do a fly in hunt in the late fall, winter, early spring and hunt predators back there. The Panhandle is a destination place for bear and wolf hunting with some strong densities up there. The southern desert units have a lot of lions. So many options.
Why don’t nonresidents start to focus just a little bit on intentional predator hunting?
Very Easy way to answer that question. Risk vs Reward.
I have been wanting to go on a Wolf, Bear, or Lion hunt but it just isn't feasible for a lot of us, money, work, family life etc. For a Non Resident like my self I am looking at possibly a minimal of driving 4000 miles round trip plane ticket which will also mean I need to pay for a rental. So lets do the cheapest way here driving our own vehicle:
Gas - Lets average it to be about $2.50 since it changes in every state and or county. So for me just to get to Pocatello, Idaho it would cost at least $250 so double that for a return home trip. Right now we are at $500 just to get to Idaho and that's not counting the driving around scouting, etc. So probably close to $600-$700 in fuel.
Tag - Bear $186 or $41.75 in certain units, Hunting License $154, Wolf tag $31.75, $41.75
Food -
Truck - Wear on the vehicle
Work/ Family - Leave from work and being away from everyday family stuff
For money alone I guarantee myself would be close to $1000-$1200 and this is probably bare minimum. That counting if you have vehicle problems, storms, emergencies, taxidermy, etc etc. Also I am probably going to add that it will be close to 2-3 days driving up and 2-3 days driving back. So 4 - 6 days right there in driving granted it probably can be down in 1 1/2 days of constant driving each way. With an elk there is a huge reward in regards of eating. Granted mountain lion and bear are great to eat but I tend to prefer to eat elk. And my three weeks of leave a year will be allocated to going elk hunting vs chasing predators.
The predator movement needs to be within by residents and possibly non residents in close driving distances. Because it's hard for a lot of working individuals to come up with time off from work or the money.