Idaho

[JohnCushman]

A buddy and I are looking in to an elk hunt in 2013 in Idaho. Where do I start looking for public land in the panhandle?

 

[2rocky]

STEP 1.

Idaho Hunt planner

 

[2rocky]

STEP 2.

Idaho Hunt planner Map index

 

[WV Hunter]

Step 3.

??

Step 4.

PROFIT!

It's the third step that always holds me back.

John - you got elk out the yin yang in CO, you just looking for different scenery??

 

[2rocky]

Then choose panhandle region for elk or whatever species and area...

 

[npaden]

I was actually pretty impressed with Idaho's website. Lots of good information on there with everything laid out very well. Nothing like Colorado or New Mexico where you need a separate book just to try to match up the units and the hunt numbers. Idaho even has the success rates right there on the same page with everything else. Pretty slick.

 

[JohnCushman]

I'm moving back to NY this summer, so I'll be a non resident for any elk hunt I do. I've hunted elk a couple of years in CO, but am looking to go somewhere different to chase them with my bowand somewhere with OTC tags. Thanks for the tips 2Rocky...do the maps show public land or just an area?

 

[JohnCushman]

nevermind...I see the NF areas

 

[2rocky]

Step 4...

Choose the highlighted layers in list on right....

 

[2rocky]

Hope that works for you John.

There is a lot of public ground, and much of it has logging roads. Some Gated, some not...

You can spend a lot of time in the map center... I think a paper map from each NF is easier to break down ...

 

[JohnCushman]

thanks again 2Rocky...the map is similar to the one Colorado has...it's my first time on the Idaho sight

 

[TheTone]

A fair amount of the private is also corporate timber lands. Some of them allow unlimited access, others are a bit different about it. Some brushy country and steep in places, but does hold elk.

 

[JohnCushman]

My buddy hunted bear up in the area and wanted to try it for elk...I said hell yes I'll go...lol

 

[Big O]

N. Idaho has a ton of public land with lots of roads and hunters. A handfull of my buddies shot elk this last fall, battling the wolves and other hunters the whole time. I'd be hesitant unless you could really scout it. The people population of N. Idaho is substantially higher than far western Montana. I've hunted a bunch of area in MT within 60 miles of ID and it seems you have the whole area to yourself.
Crowds are not an issue in the western part of Montana, with lots of deep dark holes to play in. A ton of fun with a bow, little harder with a gun. No OTC tag though, and the cost is slightly higher.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[nidahunter]

Try contacting the regional Forest Service in Coeur dalene, you can purchase forest travel maps through them. These maps show roads (open and closed),land ownership, hunt boundaries and the works. Very good resource.