Looking into going to Idaho for either elk, or if I get drawn, moose.
I don't know if I will ever get to go again so I want to use a guide.
Have any of you hunted Idaho? If so did you use a guide? I would rather use a guide or outfitter with experience in trad gear, but as long as they are good archery guys that will do.
Thanks
Robert
PS. The more I think about it a DIY hunt would be ok too. Anybody have any pointers?
ttt
If you have never hunted elk before, I would recommend a guide. Elk can be tough to find and difficult so save the meat in the early season hunts. Where I hunt, you just can't waste time getting it field dressed, quartered, and to a cooler. This can be a difficult task for experienced elk hunters.
I don't have any recommendations on guides, but if you really think this a one time deal for you, a guide will really up your chance for success.
If you are driving, there are closer places like Wyoming or Colorado which may leave you with an extra two days of hunting rather than driving. I would definately factor that in on top of keeping the meat cool on a longer drive.
ttt
The word on the street in Idaho is that the distribution of elk in some units has changed dramatically to an exponentially growing wolf population and given that information, if one is unable to scout near in advance of when they are planning to hunt, it may be highly challenging locating the herd(s) on a DIY.
I would consider a HIGHLY reputable outfitter (with references) for either a guided hunt or a drop-camp type hunt, if planning on hunting Idaho for elk for the first time and not being able to scout in advance.
As indicated above an OTC Colorado hunt may be a better choice if going alone.
Have a great 2010 hunting season!
Shoot straight, Shinken
"Changed Dramatically" is putting it mildly.
We just started killing wolves; its going to be many years- before we have any chance of comparing to Colorado.
Hmmm, sounds like the wolves are hard on the elk up there.
Have any of you heard of Weitas Creek Outfitters?
Up in the panhandle and apparently is a trad hunter. So far he looks like the guy to check into.
Believe me I have been searching the web till my eyes are bleeding.
Robert,
Call Ted Fry at Raptor Archery, a sponsor here, if you want info on Weitas Creek Outfitters. That is where Ted goes for his bear hunt / bow build. Lots of previous photos and posts on the good times had there. Search the Pow Wow for Weitas.
Raptor Archery 541-386-4503
Idaho still has lots of good elk hunting to be had, don't be discouraged easily, it's all hunting no matter where you choose! You will get out of it what you put into it! Hunt hard, hunt smart!
Sorry, don't know anything about Outfitter you requested!
ElkNut1
I think there is still some good elk hunting to be found in Idaho. It appears to me that the wolves have definitely had an impact on the elk herds, and I don't think we have seen the far-reaching effects yet. The elk have done what such animals do to adjust to the new predators, such as leaving the back country in favor of areas closer to human habitation - due to less wolf pressure. From a hunter's perspective (more so for out-of-staters) it makes locating the elk a bit more difficult, but worse yet, as Rik found last year, once the elk are found, there is no guarantee that they will stay in the same place long enough to hunt them.
The Weitas area used to be one of the premium areas in the state for elk hunting (20-30 years ago). The Dept. of Fish and Game has said it is one of the most critical areas for calf recruitment due at least partially to wolf predation. Unfortunately the wolf hunt in that zone has not been as successful as they had hoped.
I don't really know any outfitters I can recommend, but as suggested above, Ted Fry could perhaps help with some information.