uturn
Senior Member
Seems you are in great shape to me...again I look forward to what's next!
Good Luck..thanks for sharing!!
Good Luck..thanks for sharing!!
Thought I would share my first Idaho hunt with you all. I moved out here about a year ago and have been scouting and trying to figure out the regulations and the DIY hunting strategy needed to put some elk and mule deer down. Let me just say its been a little intimidating because I have never hunted out west and this has been a huge learning experience so far. If this thread helps someone in the future maximize their chances to score on a once in a lifetime hunt out west then maybe it will be worthwhile. I'm not some great hunter, I would like to think I have average skills. I will be challenged to see if those skills that I have learned chasing whitetail and hogs in Georgia transfer over to chasing elk and mule deer.
To date I have conducted preseason scouting, purchased OTC deer and elk tags, started my physical training program, and have been buying the equipment that I think will aid me in this hunt. I plan on a mid September archery hunt in the peak of the elk rut, and an October gun hunt for mule deer in the same area. I may get a second OTC whitetail tag for a November archery hunt depending on time and funds.
Early observations:
Public land boundaries are confusing, GPS with a onXmaps software is a must
Finding elk has not been difficult in the preseason, they are apparently dumb and are easy to stalk in comparison to whitetail. I suspect it will be different come this fall, but right now they do not seem to be very aware of what is going on around them. I have several water sources scouted out and it will be interesting to see what the trail camera captures, I plan on bringing in a climber to hunt over them come this September.
Good binoculars are a must, I have a spotting scope but I am using my binoculars most of the time.
Being physically fit is essential, these mountains are no joke.
I will post some pictures later and continue to update as the season gets closer. I miss Georgia, but I am looking forward to this hunt.
Idaho is one of the most over looked whitetail states there is. I have a close friend from there and he has killed several 160"+ bucks there and he tells me hardly anyone in his area hunts them. Good luck!
Good luck! I have a feeling you are going to get a shot at one after all the work you have put in. I just got back from Colorado yesterday and took my biggest bull to date. It was the hottest weather I have ever seen there in the past 12 years. Luckily mine was bugling the first morning and I was able to move quite a few times and slip up on him with his herd of about 12 cows.
Good luck! I have a feeling you are going to get a shot at one after all the work you have put in. I just got back from Colorado yesterday and took my biggest bull to date. It was the hottest weather I have ever seen there in the past 12 years. Luckily mine was bugling the first morning and I was able to move quite a few times and slip up on him with his herd of about 12 cows.
Have you posted any story for your hunts over the years?
Idaho is one of the most over looked whitetail states there is. I have a close friend from there and he has killed several 160"+ bucks there and he tells me hardly anyone in his area hunts them. Good luck!