Idaho Unit 39 Muzzleloader Draw Tag

[Potsie]

I'm an Idaho native, moving back to the home land this summer from Texas. I won't have have residency by this fall, but I'm eyeballing the muzzleloader draw tag in Unit 39 (Idaho City and east). I'd be joined by my 62 y/o father-in-law. Both of us are much more familiar with the northern panhandle, I grew up in Kellogg, he in Wallace, and don't know the country in Unit 39 well. I've been on a couple backpacking trips in the area when my wife and I were at BSU, but have never hunted there. Long story short... worth the money for a non-resident hunter? We'd both be applying for the cow tag to up our odds of drawing.

 

[Idhikker]

For whatever reason, it can be kind of a tough hunt. Success rates are always kinda low, definitely loweee than the rifle cow hunt in 39. I don't think it's for lack of elk. I see lots up there. I think it's more lazy hunters. The very hard to draw bull muzzleloader tag there has high success rates and cows are easier. The elk will be up high and away from roads in many cases. The fun thing is you should hear some bugling.

The rifle cow hunt is harder to draw but a better hunt.

 

[IDFireLass]

Idaho has some tuff stupid muzzled loader regs. Also our mule deer populations are hitting rock bottom.
39 is so close to Boise it's over hunted plus you get to deal with wolves, too.
Only you can justify the money for the NR licenses.
Good luck