Hey Idahoshoer -
Sorry I didn't get your message until now. Yes I went all over the middlefork.
First, do you know of anyone who rents horses or mules in Idaho? i would be looking for 2-4 delivered to the trailhead.
Second, Me & 2 other hunters went first into Indian Creek area outside of Yellow Pine. Hiked in a couple of miles and then had to hike out because one of them had a family emergency.
Not Elk weather 90 degrees at 8500 feet. There as all kinds of sign as you dropped down from the ridge about 1500 feet from summit. We ran into F&G wardens who said that before the season openned a herd was using that area. All the sign was 2 weeks old.
Went in from Stanley next [ lots of driving] and went up for 4 days through trails. No one had taken any Elk in the area and there was NO sign.
Went back to Big Creek and near the summit as you drop in, saw fresh bull sign. But the next day on the trails saw new wolf tracks. Wolfs shadow the herds from above and I did not hear any bugling. A fire started nearby and in the mornings the valley filled up with smoke. I went back to Papoose peak area. fresh sign crossing the ridge into Unit 25. I stayed until next to last day, but a small fire below started pushing so much smoke that you could glass at all. Lots of hiking and driving.
On the way out on the last day of first 1/2 of season, passing into 25 saw a 5x5 with a small harem of cows...moving as quiet as church mice. No satellite bulls.
I grew up around cattle and I know if you press cows, they will not come into season...I suspect that is what is happening from the wolves following the herds. The fire-trails and ridge roads give wolves a perfect path to track Elk from above.
Just saw the Lolo Elk survey numbers and that is what I have seen in 3 seasons in Idaho Middlefork and Boise units.
I have hunted Idaho 3 times now, got one rag horn bull, but there is less bugling every year. This year not one call. I didn't see any dead Elk in the Middlefork and didn't meet anyone who filled their tag.
Well, I will put in here in California for Tule Elk again and for New Mexico. Snowball in hell chance of draw. I may go back to Montana again...started Elk hunting there in '78. Maybe Idaho.
I hope you had better luck.
Dave
