TheWanderer
Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2012
- Messages
- 56
A buddy and I were in Idaho on an OTC tag and hunted from September 15-26. We met up with a friend we made from our Idaho unit last year (who is from ID).
Once again most everyone we met in Idaho was awesome. Heading west for us each year is something we look forward to for 11 months of the year. Its what keeps me motivated and in the gym and outside shooting my bow all summer long.
We were able to get into elk most every day. Bugling was less than what we expected for the elk that we were seeing. We weren't sure if this was a function of the hi daytime temps, hunter pressure, moon phase or what. We did also have a wolf pop up in front of us at 150 yards one day while hiking through sage up to a glassing point.
Our first spot I got the impression was a bull summering area as there was tons of rubs and sign but the ratio we saw was 2:1 bulls to cows which I thought was strange. I would've guessed for that ratio we would've got more bugling with them searching for cows but we didn't. We blew some chances in that spot. My buddy missed the one text book set up we had on a nice 5 point that was bugling from his bed and I came to full draw on a silent small 4 point the next day. No shot. Our third guy got a shot but his fletching caught a pine bough and he killed a pine tree instead of an elk. Other than my buddies opportunity it seemed most bulls would bugle in the AM at a distance and then we'd hike over to there ridge only to be met with silence. Very frustrating.
When our third guy had to head home we did day hunts and got high and found a couple bulls that had cows and tried to work them. First day the herd rounded up and headed the other way (I think we were out of the "threat zone") and the next day we were working one bugle when another fired up real close. We got set up but were just a little further than this nice 5x6 wanted to come and I had to watch him at 55 behind some small branches with no shot.
We ran into several other hunters who had spent a lot of time in the unit and they noted seeing less elk than usual. Maybe due to dry conditions? They weren't sure either. I did notice we were about the only people that far in without something to carry our things for us. Might have to fix that with llama or horse rental next time.
About everyone was encouraging and helpful. There was one ID resident who said "I'm going to give Newberg and earful" for promoting GoHunt and seemed to lament that information on hunting units has become more readily available and "that there's no secrets anymore". I do use GoHunt but honestly the ID hunt planner is about as good as it gets for helping plan a hunt there.
Hope everyone's seasons are going well. I'm back on the east coast at work, but will be headed out for whitetails through the fall. I'm excited for a mini Sika deer camp we're doing a couple hours from my house on eastern shore MD next weekend. If I can't get a full sized elk I'm going to try to get "a poor man's elk". They're whistling/bugling peaks about this time of year.
Once again most everyone we met in Idaho was awesome. Heading west for us each year is something we look forward to for 11 months of the year. Its what keeps me motivated and in the gym and outside shooting my bow all summer long.
We were able to get into elk most every day. Bugling was less than what we expected for the elk that we were seeing. We weren't sure if this was a function of the hi daytime temps, hunter pressure, moon phase or what. We did also have a wolf pop up in front of us at 150 yards one day while hiking through sage up to a glassing point.
Our first spot I got the impression was a bull summering area as there was tons of rubs and sign but the ratio we saw was 2:1 bulls to cows which I thought was strange. I would've guessed for that ratio we would've got more bugling with them searching for cows but we didn't. We blew some chances in that spot. My buddy missed the one text book set up we had on a nice 5 point that was bugling from his bed and I came to full draw on a silent small 4 point the next day. No shot. Our third guy got a shot but his fletching caught a pine bough and he killed a pine tree instead of an elk. Other than my buddies opportunity it seemed most bulls would bugle in the AM at a distance and then we'd hike over to there ridge only to be met with silence. Very frustrating.
When our third guy had to head home we did day hunts and got high and found a couple bulls that had cows and tried to work them. First day the herd rounded up and headed the other way (I think we were out of the "threat zone") and the next day we were working one bugle when another fired up real close. We got set up but were just a little further than this nice 5x6 wanted to come and I had to watch him at 55 behind some small branches with no shot.
We ran into several other hunters who had spent a lot of time in the unit and they noted seeing less elk than usual. Maybe due to dry conditions? They weren't sure either. I did notice we were about the only people that far in without something to carry our things for us. Might have to fix that with llama or horse rental next time.
About everyone was encouraging and helpful. There was one ID resident who said "I'm going to give Newberg and earful" for promoting GoHunt and seemed to lament that information on hunting units has become more readily available and "that there's no secrets anymore". I do use GoHunt but honestly the ID hunt planner is about as good as it gets for helping plan a hunt there.
Hope everyone's seasons are going well. I'm back on the east coast at work, but will be headed out for whitetails through the fall. I'm excited for a mini Sika deer camp we're doing a couple hours from my house on eastern shore MD next weekend. If I can't get a full sized elk I'm going to try to get "a poor man's elk". They're whistling/bugling peaks about this time of year.
