Selway Hunt Overview

[Indian Summer]

They turned the wolves loose in 1996. By 2000 it was already getting tough. We still see guys coming on here planning trips to the Selway Bitterroot and the Bob Marshall. Don’t do it. Every hunt you go on is not only a hunt but an investment in future hunts. You are gathering pieces of the puzzle every day you are there. Invest your time wisely. Do it somewhere where the future is bright. I don’t think those areas will ever recover. They have bounced back a little. But still not worth trying to kill elk in and have fun doing it. There are better options. Most options are better.

 

[Customweld]

They turned the wolves loose in 1996. By 2000 it was already getting tough. We still see guys coming on here planning trips to the Selway Bitterroot and the Bob Marshall. Don’t do it. Every hunt you go on is not only a hunt but an investment in future hunts. You are gathering pieces of the puzzle every day you are there. Invest your time wisely. Do it somewhere where the future is bright. I don’t think those areas will ever recover. They have bounced back a little. But still not worth trying to kill elk in and have fun doing it. There are better options. Most options are better.

Agreed, the wilderness zones in Central Idaho are probably as recovered as they are ever going to be. There are more elk in one cornfield in Southern Idaho than all of the MF zones combined.

 

[Sibbyu]

Hunted Selway last year, with a guide. Probably didn’t see a dozen elk tracks and never saw an elk, deer, bear, wolf, or even a rabbit for that matter. That place is dead!


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[MTguy0341]

Me and a buddy had selway tags last year. Doubled up on bulls opening day. Bulls were screaming. Was a great hunt and I’ll do it again

 

[Huntnnw]

They turned the wolves loose in 1996. By 2000 it was already getting tough. We still see guys coming on here planning trips to the Selway Bitterroot and the Bob Marshall. Don’t do it. Every hunt you go on is not only a hunt but an investment in future hunts. You are gathering pieces of the puzzle every day you are there. Invest your time wisely. Do it somewhere where the future is bright. I don’t think those areas will ever recover. They have bounced back a little. But still not worth trying to kill elk in and have fun doing it. There are better options. Most options are better.

I quit hunting elk right out my door in Idaho where there is 100x more elk. WAY more to a hunt then elk numbers. There is 0 wilderness or the ability to get away and running into hunters everywhere. I ran trail cams for 12-15 years getting 100k pics a year with 20 plus bulls on every cam and to actually see a 290+ bull was maybe 1 bull a year! Most years I’d never get a 290 bull on cam. We made the decision 7 years ago and I quit hunting it and moved into a “ wasteland “ as many call the unit and was the best decision I’ve made hunting. 7 years and never seen a single hunter ! Never heard a rig or sxs , gunshots and best part hunting big mature bulls ! I run cameras in there the last 6 years and every cam has 3-5 bulls over 300” and every year I get 2 bulls in the 320-360” . Solitude and no hunting pressure and knowing you could see a bull of a lifetime .. sign me up.

 

[Indian Summer]

I quit hunting elk right out my door in Idaho where there is 100x more elk. WAY more to a hunt then elk numbers. There is 0 wilderness or the ability to get away and running into hunters everywhere. I ran trail cams for 12-15 years getting 100k pics a year with 20 plus bulls on every cam and to actually see a 290+ bull was maybe 1 bull a year! Most years I’d never get a 290 bull on cam. We made the decision 7 years ago and I quit hunting it and moved into a “ wasteland “ as many call the unit and was the best decision I’ve made hunting. 7 years and never seen a single hunter ! Never heard a rig or sxs , gunshots and best part hunting big mature bulls ! I run cameras in there the last 6 years and every cam has 3-5 bulls over 300” and every year I get 2 bulls in the 320-360” . Solitude and no hunting pressure and knowing you could see a bull of a lifetime .. sign me up.

I totally get that. It doesn’t sound like you would enjoy one of my truck side base camp hunts. But the elk are plenty full and we have gone darn near 100% success. I have a friend from Darby who still hunts to Selway. He hunts it solo. He usually kills a 300 inch bull. But it’s also usually the only bull he sees. I don’t find that enjoyable.

 

[Djolly72]

I have hunted the Selway 6 years and seen ONE elk...a very nice 300+" bull, which I was fortunate enough to bring back to the trail head. Beautiful yet unforgiving place. It is a long way from South Carolina for that kind of hunt though.

 

[Gun&BowSD]

Solid recap on your hunt. I hunted the Selway in 17' or 18'. I had heard the wolves were prevalent, but when I hit my first road up, and there were tracks of a pack of about 8 wolves heading up in the fresh skiff I thought "oh no... but maybe I'll take one." I did not, nor an elk. Though we saw sign. And a big ass bears tracks in the snow. Did shoot a dandy muley. Beautiful country. Would go back

 

[freddyG]

Agreed, the wilderness zones in Central Idaho are probably as recovered as they are ever going to be. There are more elk in one cornfield in Southern Idaho than all of the MF zones combined.

This is so funny because it’s true. Besides corn fed elk just plain taste better.

 

[madhouse]

Me and a buddy had selway tags last year. Doubled up on bulls opening day. Bulls were screaming. Was a great hunt and I’ll do it again

what unit?

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

 

[gotlag1789]

Sick - drew a 17 general deer for 25'. Suuuuuuper pumped guys hahah

 

[Gun&BowSD]

Sick - drew a 17 general deer for 25'. Suuuuuuper pumped guys hahah

They're there. Just gotta find em

 

[gotlag1789]

Ahhh that’s awesome, man. Appreciate that - he’s a stud, well done!

 

[Dixie]

Just to let you know units 19/20 drain towards the Salmon River. 17 would be the Selway area. And yes the wolfs are a problem. I have lived and worked in the middle of 19/20 i.e Frank Church/Gospel Hump Wilderness’s for 30+ years and it definitely isn’t like the 80’s before they sent those Canada/Alaska devils. I hear Montana doesn’t have the same problem and Elk are everywhere.

 

[rehlit92]

Me and a buddy had selway tags last year. Doubled up on bulls opening day. Bulls were screaming. Was a great hunt and I’ll do it again

I've got a 25 selway B tag, any advice for where/how to find them rutting? This is one of the first posts i've seen with anything positive to say about elk in selway. Looking forward to the hunt either way!