Apologize in advance for the long post. Purpose of this thread, wanting to document everything I've done/doing, to help someone else who may be doing the same thing, and also to seek advice from some of the guys with more experience. This site is loaded with great info and has been invaluable to me thus far. If you see something I'm missing, or maybe something I should do different, please feel free to comment or PM me. Over the past three years, I've been planning and collecting gear for a western hunt. Initially, wanted to head out this year, but again, it was pushed back another year.
Well, I've finally put in for vacation from work for 2020, and planning to head to Idaho Sept. 25th-Oct 23rd. I would've loved to come out the first of September, but I wasn't able to take off until the last week of Sept. Current plans are to leave SC Friday afternoon and head to Idaho. Total drive time will be around 36 hr. Will try to drive around 15-16hr Sat and Sun, with hotel stops in between to rest up. Hoping to arrive Monday around noon and hike in to set up camp and start scouting until the season starts Oct. 1st, and will hunt until the 23rd. as I have to be back to work the 27th. Hopefully, it won't take that many days, but wanted to have flexibility to relocate should I start off in a bad spot. I've been using OnX maps heavily and have a few different spots (plan B, C and D) picked out should I not find elk or something else come up at the first location I go to.
I've toyed with the idea of flying, as it will save a considerable amount of time, and no doubt, I'd be more rested, but I've also seen where some people have had trouble with rentals, and then the issue of shipping gear, meat, antlers etc. comes into play. I'm not completely convinced it would be worth it, but that is subject to change between now and Sept.
At the start of my planning, it was supposed to be me and a co-worker that was going, but the more we have talked about it, I think the less he is wanting to go. He is a hardcore whitetail hunter, and while I'm 27, he is 45, and I think he is intimidated by the rugged terrain.(to be honest, that's probably my biggest concern as well coming from low elevation). He has also mentioned he is concerned with coming all the way to Idaho, spending a lot of money on gear and license, and not even seeing an animal. He has talked about going guided, which I would be fine with, but he doesn't want to pay the guided price. So as of right now, I'll be going solo, unless I find someone on here with similar plans for next year.
As far as a certain unit, I have several I've been researching for awhile, all within 2 different zones. Only way those would change, is if I somehow draw a controlled hunt since Idaho doesn't require points. (side note, I will also be applying in Wyoming for a controlled hunt. I have one point there. highly unlikely, but possible I guess) I'm planning to buy the Idaho combo tag, for deer and elk so I'm hoping that will up my chances of not coming home empty handed, as I'm pretty sure you can also use for bear, lion or wolf in place of an elk/deer.
Currently, my biggest challenge, will be getting into shape. I've seen several post, about how no matter how much preparing was done, they were still not prepared for the rugged and steep terrain out west. My current elevation is a whopping 425ft! Yes, that's four HUNDRED , 23ft. Big difference from the western mountains. Of all the units I'm looking at, the steepest elevation is around 7800', so not as bad as some of the others I've read about. I've been hitting the gym several times a week and trying to up my cardio to prepare my lungs. I wasn't in bad shape before, but nowhere near where I feel like I need to be.
I'll try to list out the gear I have, and if you see something I should add, something I should change, or maybe something you used that didn't work out, please let me know. Again, sorry for the long post, but you guys have helped me a ton over the last few years, and if I'm being honest, without this site, probably wouldn't have made it this far. Thanks again
Well, I've finally put in for vacation from work for 2020, and planning to head to Idaho Sept. 25th-Oct 23rd. I would've loved to come out the first of September, but I wasn't able to take off until the last week of Sept. Current plans are to leave SC Friday afternoon and head to Idaho. Total drive time will be around 36 hr. Will try to drive around 15-16hr Sat and Sun, with hotel stops in between to rest up. Hoping to arrive Monday around noon and hike in to set up camp and start scouting until the season starts Oct. 1st, and will hunt until the 23rd. as I have to be back to work the 27th. Hopefully, it won't take that many days, but wanted to have flexibility to relocate should I start off in a bad spot. I've been using OnX maps heavily and have a few different spots (plan B, C and D) picked out should I not find elk or something else come up at the first location I go to.
I've toyed with the idea of flying, as it will save a considerable amount of time, and no doubt, I'd be more rested, but I've also seen where some people have had trouble with rentals, and then the issue of shipping gear, meat, antlers etc. comes into play. I'm not completely convinced it would be worth it, but that is subject to change between now and Sept.
At the start of my planning, it was supposed to be me and a co-worker that was going, but the more we have talked about it, I think the less he is wanting to go. He is a hardcore whitetail hunter, and while I'm 27, he is 45, and I think he is intimidated by the rugged terrain.(to be honest, that's probably my biggest concern as well coming from low elevation). He has also mentioned he is concerned with coming all the way to Idaho, spending a lot of money on gear and license, and not even seeing an animal. He has talked about going guided, which I would be fine with, but he doesn't want to pay the guided price. So as of right now, I'll be going solo, unless I find someone on here with similar plans for next year.
As far as a certain unit, I have several I've been researching for awhile, all within 2 different zones. Only way those would change, is if I somehow draw a controlled hunt since Idaho doesn't require points. (side note, I will also be applying in Wyoming for a controlled hunt. I have one point there. highly unlikely, but possible I guess) I'm planning to buy the Idaho combo tag, for deer and elk so I'm hoping that will up my chances of not coming home empty handed, as I'm pretty sure you can also use for bear, lion or wolf in place of an elk/deer.
Currently, my biggest challenge, will be getting into shape. I've seen several post, about how no matter how much preparing was done, they were still not prepared for the rugged and steep terrain out west. My current elevation is a whopping 425ft! Yes, that's four HUNDRED , 23ft. Big difference from the western mountains. Of all the units I'm looking at, the steepest elevation is around 7800', so not as bad as some of the others I've read about. I've been hitting the gym several times a week and trying to up my cardio to prepare my lungs. I wasn't in bad shape before, but nowhere near where I feel like I need to be.
I'll try to list out the gear I have, and if you see something I should add, something I should change, or maybe something you used that didn't work out, please let me know. Again, sorry for the long post, but you guys have helped me a ton over the last few years, and if I'm being honest, without this site, probably wouldn't have made it this far. Thanks again