Southern Idaho Cow Elk Hunt

[CptBlkBrd]

2020 was full of adventure in Idaho. One of my favorite hunts though was the elk hunt. We get to chase bulls with our bows in early fall, then chase cows with a rifle in late fall. This is when I was able to shoot my first elk (cow).

My FIL and I had been scouting all over and had seen some elk from the air a few weeks earlier. Of course, once the season starts, they are no where to be found.

I took off work early one day and we headed up to a place I'd never been. Hiked in a few miles and there was sign everywhere. We knew we had to be close. Eventually we found the heard! We slid in to about 300 yards and my FIL took a shot. Clean miss (We'd find out later that his scope mount had broke loose). The heard took off due west. We came up with a new game plan and took off. A ridge just north of the elk was clear and about 400 yards from them. Hard part was to get there, out of view, we had to side hill bush whack about a miles worth of maples. Uhg. Day light closing out, we busted over there. Crested the ridge on our bellies. It was my turn now. I laid my pack out as a rest. Ranged my target 3 times. Dry fired 3 times. Calmly took my shot and SUCESS! The Rem 700, 7mag and Vortex tactical did great. Exactly how I'd practiced.

It was a long pack out, but the rewards were great. Gutless method worked perfect. 150lbs hanging weight for the 4 quarters. Not including the back straps etc. Freezer is now topped off. Pack used was the Hill People Gear Decker

I woke up the next morning tired and sore. And I realized I totally forgot to pull the ivories. So we went back up the following weekend to grab them. The carcass was picked completely clean, mostly by coyotes.

Looking forward to another great year in 2021!

 

[Shikarchee]

First I like to say that Serge with Urge 2 Hunt is a very responsive guy, who tries to find quality hunts for his clients. U must remember that all outfitters exaggerate and lie even to booking agent. He obviously can not go to all these places and must trust outfitter.

I booked a 2024 Cow elk hunt in Idaho unit 72 and Serge mailed me outfitters info. I called him and made arrangements to stay in motel In Bancroft Idaho 15 miles away.
Outfitter assured me that I will get my Elk, when asked about success rate, he replied 100%.
First morning I was unfortunate to hunt with outfitter son, an inexperienced young guy, who was very sure of himself. He wanted me to use his rifle and did not like it when I refused. He did not want me to load my gun till we saw Elk. also to set me scope at average shooting distance for the area.
Driving around in great SXS suddenly we came across 5 Elk, but they kept running, then I located a herd, but by the time I loaded my gun and set my scope at 400, they were gone.
Instead of going after herd, he drove like a mad man to camp where his dad saw elk.
He took his rifle out and wanted me to shoot at moving elk at 865 yards!

I had told him before hunt that 500 yards is my preferred distance. Beside I could really only shot the Bull. I am an ethical Hunter, hate to cripple an Animal.
Then he used me to push elk to other Hunters who killed 2 at 180 yards.

Luckily he did not want to guide me anymore, so I got a guide name Chris, absolutely outstanding guide
Rest of the 3 days no elk.
So instead of 100%, it actually turned out being 33%, and each day, morning and evening hunt drops it to 17% at each outing.

Don’t waste your money.