Challis idaho

Lowe43

FNG
Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
65
I am retiring from the Army this Aug and we are Headed to challis this Oct 15 and being as it's our first trip mule deer hunting I'd like to see if anyone has any imput on the area we looked at the campground at masquitoflats and we may camp there. Any imput would be appreciated tips too "fist time mule deer hunting and all"
 
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
31
Location
Kuna, ID
I am retiring from the Army this Aug and we are Headed to challis this Oct 15 and being as it's our first trip mule deer hunting I'd like to see if anyone has any imput on the area we looked at the campground at masquitoflats and we may camp there. Any imput would be appreciated tips too "fist time mule deer hunting and all"

I don't know much about Challis but you will be hunting Idaho so no matter where you go get away from the roads and you will see nice bucks! Have fun! Most importantly Thank You for your dedication and service to our County! Good luck on your upcoming hunting season!
 
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Lowe43

FNG
Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
65
Thanks so much as long as north Korea doesn't decide to be idiots I should leave as a battalion first Sgt with 20 years of service I have been to Iraq 10 times and Afghanistan 3 time I'm ready to be home
 

Nomad

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 19, 2016
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265
Location
West Texas
Thanks so much as long as north Korea doesn't decide to be idiots I should leave as a battalion first Sgt with 20 years of service I have been to Iraq 10 times and Afghanistan 3 time I'm ready to be home

Much respect and gratitude.
 

gudspelr

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 16, 2016
Messages
266
Location
SW Idaho
Yup-you've more than earned it. And welcome to Idaho, you're going to love it. I don't live in Challis, but have been through there a few times. It's absolutely beautiful, you should have a ton of good opportunity all around you. I imagine once you get there and start to get to know some of your neighbors, you'll quickly start figuring out places to go.


Jeremy
 

OG DramaLlama

Epic Rokslider
Joined
May 9, 2015
Messages
423
Location
Boise
I am retiring from the Army this Aug and we are Headed to challis this Oct 15 and being as it's our first trip mule deer hunting I'd like to see if anyone has any imput on the area we looked at the campground at masquitoflats and we may camp there. Any imput would be appreciated tips too "fist time mule deer hunting and all"

Appreciate your service.

I bow hunt elk in 36a so just a little outside of challis, but all that area offers really good habitat for quality mule deer. You picked a good place to start.

David Long's Public Land Mulies, Robby Denning's Hunting Big Mule Deer, and Mike Eastman's High Country Mule Deer books are all good reads from some very successful hunters on techniques and strategies on hunting mule deer.

Lurk through some of the threads on the forum as there are some excellent hunters have put some good information out as well.. you are on the right track.

Good luck.


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Lowe43

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Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
65
Thanks you so much I'll check those books out as far as the elk go how are they in the area we are getting both tags incase we plan on being there from the 14th October through 28th
 

OG DramaLlama

Epic Rokslider
Joined
May 9, 2015
Messages
423
Location
Boise
Thanks you so much I'll check those books out as far as the elk go how are they in the area we are getting both tags incase we plan on being there from the 14th October through 28th

Never had the opportunity to draw the restricted rifle tag for 36a so no experience with the Elk in area in October. All my scouting and hunting effort has been on early season elk.

For reference, last year snow came early September and by the end of the month most of the higher elevations were covered and the cows/calves were already moving down. My guess is the issue with the later post rut rifle hunts is that the big numbers of elk will will be congregated in the lower elevations which can be tricky with private land. Most of those big bulls will probably be up in their post rut hidey holes.

My two cents.....


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Joined
Apr 1, 2013
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2,638
Wolves have been rough on the mulies there but they seem to be rebounding.

Don't forget to buy your wolf tag. I sailed an arrow high last year. Most aggravating missed shot ever.
 

Boomer

FNG
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
27
I get out every couple years and hunt up river near Sunbeam. Seem to see more deer just up off the Salmon then back in towards the Frank. Last time out I got up into a gnarly,steep,rocky ridge that had a bunch of bucks hanging out. About 1 drainage over from where all the 4 wheelers rode. Had a local tell me to get above the goats ! Road hunt the Custer motorway for a break once in awhile but hardly see a track back in far or up near Loon Creek summit where years ago was a good spot for locals.
 

Dioni A

Basque Assassin
Joined
Mar 29, 2016
Messages
1,534
Location
Nampa, Idaho
I've hunted around that area with fairly good success. The one thing that I can say that would be the most helpful about the Frank church is to not get attached to an area because it "looks good" . The deer are wherever you find them. There seems to be big hollow pockets of country where there just aren't many deer. Then almost inexplicably there will be similar looking areas with critters everywhere.
 

Scoony

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 5, 2017
Messages
263
Location
Ky
Hope all went smooth with your retirement. I retired back in 2005. We will also be in the Challis area mid October for Mule deer and Elk. We hunted the Sawtooths last year near Stanley and was able to get one elk between 4 of us. That was out first year and lots of lessons learned, but felt we were successful with just one animal. We already have some areas picked out near Challis and further North near Salmon.
 

IdahoElk

WKR
Joined
Oct 30, 2014
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2,500
Location
Hailey,ID
The Clayton area always has deer all over the road when driving through,that may be an area to explore?
 
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Lowe43

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Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
65
We hunted Clayton no luck saw only a few does and a couple of buck but on private property same as far as the elk man that country was brutal lol but beautiful
 

sneaky

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
10,024
Location
ID
We hunted Clayton no luck saw only a few does and a couple of buck but on private property same as far as the elk man that country was brutal lol but beautiful
Yep, gorgeous country but unforgiving

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Lowe43

FNG
Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
65
Going back next year I think now knowing the land I'll have a better chance
 
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