Newbie 1st Elk Rifle Idaho Hunt

hoytforlife

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 26, 2020
Messages
104
Hello,

First I want to get the “are you serious” out of the way…..

I am a die hard archery only (not anymore) whitetail hunter and have been for the last 15 years. I was invited to try to put in for a OTC non-resident Bull Elk and Mule Deer rifle hunt for Idaho….as luck would have it, I was fortunate enough to be successful in an OTC Rifle Bull Elk hunt for Salmon Zone and a Mule Deer buck rifle hunt in Unit 28.

My hunting buddy said I should also “donate” $18 for the controlled hunt in an effort to increase the hunting opportunity at a Bull elk…..I listened and put in for controlled hunt in Unit 29/LEMHI area of Idaho, rifle Bull elk hunt 1-31 October….7.4% of drawing a tag.

Like I said “are you serious?” yes I was selected for a controlled rifle hunt and will hunt Unit 29 instead of Salmon. My first time ever putting in for any type of hunt.

I understand and have read tons of people who were not as fortunate. That IS NOT lost on me.

Im active duty Air Force (19 years) currently stationed in England….Im doing everything I can to “scout”….I am no way asking for help in the form of where I should start (won’t turn away the help either :) but I am seeking advice….I’ve read every post on this forum regarding that area but was hoping to receive any updates/feedback.

For those that have hunted this area, did you feel your overall experience was good or bad and why?

Number 1 thing I should do in order to be successful at one of the things listed below?

I’ve read on here there are a ton of private land hunters and wolves wont help a public land hunter like me.

BUT….here are my top 3 items that will classify a successful hunt for me since this is my first time ever hunting/living in the mountains and chasing Elk!

1. See a sunrise/sunset from the mountains
2. Prove to myself I properly prepared mentally/physically to last 15 days in the mountains
3. See an Elk

This forum has 1,000 of years of experience. I welcome the positive and negative feedback that shall follow.

you in advance.
 

One-shot

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Messages
161
Location
Spring Creek, Nevada
Call or email Idaho Fish and Game for the Lemhi area and ask to talk to the game biologist for that unit. TELL them you’re active duty and in England... no doubt they will give you SOLID, reliable intel on migration during the dates you’ll be there.
 

sneaky

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
10,063
Location
ID
Be aware that once season starts a lot of the elk in 29 go to private and don't leave it. Just a heads up.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
OP
hoytforlife

hoytforlife

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 26, 2020
Messages
104
Really appreciate that. Looking at OnC maps it does look like a ton of private!
 
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
3,509
Location
Washington
Be aware that once season starts a lot of the elk in 29 go to private and don't leave it. Just a heads up.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Cows or bulls or both? I have archery hunted 29 but never saw them on private much. Is it weather related?


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Werty

WKR
Joined
May 28, 2019
Messages
690
Location
Montana
Contact Taxidermist and the game wardens in the area. I prefer the game wardens over the biologist, wardens are more up to date with movements than biologist.
 

sneaky

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
10,063
Location
ID
Cows or bulls or both? I have archery hunted 29 but never saw them on private much. Is it weather related?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bows don't go "boom" either. It's a circus with pressure, and weather plays a role that time of year too. Easy to find the elk and hunters. Elk on private, hunters all sitting just outside of private glassing and waiting for them to step off onto public.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
3,509
Location
Washington
Bows don't go "boom" either. It's a circus with pressure, and weather plays a role that time of year too. Easy to find the elk and hunters. Elk on private, hunters all sitting just outside of private glassing and waiting for them to step off onto public.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Interesting. Is there a lot of pressure? Looks like tags are less than 200 for bulls. Just trying to get a read. Thanks for your input!


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PRC_GUY

WKR
Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Messages
596
Location
Memphis TN
Bows don't go "boom" either. It's a circus with pressure, and weather plays a role that time of year too. Easy to find the elk and hunters. Elk on private, hunters all sitting just outside of private glassing and waiting for them to step off onto public.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Be careful with muzzleloader “Boom”
 

sneaky

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
10,063
Location
ID
May be 200 tags, but every guy with a tag will have people out glassing for him. Youth antlerless hunt going on as well, bird hunters, predator hunters. All of that is pressure that those animals have to deal with

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Fullfan

WKR
Joined
Jul 31, 2016
Messages
981
Location
Nw/Pa
Here is a Sept Salmon zone sunrise.
 

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Joined
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Messages
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Location
Alaska
Hello,

First I want to get the “are you serious” out of the way…..

I am a die hard archery only (not anymore) whitetail hunter and have been for the last 15 years. I was invited to try to put in for a OTC non-resident Bull Elk and Mule Deer rifle hunt for Idaho….as luck would have it, I was fortunate enough to be successful in an OTC Rifle Bull Elk hunt for Salmon Zone and a Mule Deer buck rifle hunt in Unit 28.

My hunting buddy said I should also “donate” $18 for the controlled hunt in an effort to increase the hunting opportunity at a Bull elk…..I listened and put in for controlled hunt in Unit 29/LEMHI area of Idaho, rifle Bull elk hunt 1-31 October….7.4% of drawing a tag.

Like I said “are you serious?” yes I was selected for a controlled rifle hunt and will hunt Unit 29 instead of Salmon. My first time ever putting in for any type of hunt.

I understand and have read tons of people who were not as fortunate. That IS NOT lost on me.

Im active duty Air Force (19 years) currently stationed in England….Im doing everything I can to “scout”….I am no way asking for help in the form of where I should start (won’t turn away the help either :) but I am seeking advice….I’ve read every post on this forum regarding that area but was hoping to receive any updates/feedback.

For those that have hunted this area, did you feel your overall experience was good or bad and why?

Number 1 thing I should do in order to be successful at one of the things listed below?

I’ve read on here there are a ton of private land hunters and wolves wont help a public land hunter like me.

BUT….here are my top 3 items that will classify a successful hunt for me since this is my first time ever hunting/living in the mountains and chasing Elk!

1. See a sunrise/sunset from the mountains
2. Prove to myself I properly prepared mentally/physically to last 15 days in the mountains
3. See an Elk

This forum has 1,000 of years of experience. I welcome the positive and negative feedback that shall follow.

you in advance.
How did the hunt go?
 
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