45-1 dec elk

patea · Jul 28, 2018

Just found out my 12 year old son drew a December either sex tag in smoky Bennett which is unit 45. We are from out of state and can't scout but I applied him for this unit because his only chance to hunt is Christmas holidays. Is anyone familiar with this unit? Is it accessible in dec. if we hike? I was wondering about excessive snow and not being able to get around. Or will the elk be in lower parts of the unit which might help him. Also I was wondering about elk numbers in general? I'm just a farmer from the south trying to get my son his first elk. I don't have any experience in Idaho so any suggestions would help us, thanks

tworivers · Jul 28, 2018

Snow shouldn't be an issue, slick gummy mud and private land and access to elk could be, but generally you
can find them on southern end of Unit all the way back north to hill city/fairfield. You should do fine hiking around and sticking to your plan, bring tires chains just in case.

RIP Lil Bro' "Huntnfever"

andrew12gauge · Jul 29, 2018

Make sure you have OnX maps to help navigate public/private. There are elk all over that unit

patea · Jul 29, 2018

Thanks. My son is excited. I'll let y'all know how it went come December

brdhuntr · Jul 29, 2018

It was 100% kill in 2017,and finding a place to hunt shouldn't be a problem.My grand son has the buck tag,and it should be a fun hunt.

Katkrazy · Jul 29, 2018

PM Sent

andrew12gauge · Jul 29, 2018

>It was 100% kill in 2017,and
>finding a place to hunt
>shouldn't be a problem.My grand
>son has the buck tag,and
>it should be a fun
>hunt.

Wow just looked it up, not only was it 100% success but all bulls and 81% 6 pt or better

kzkammo · Jul 31, 2018

PM sent

bugle4one · Aug 1, 2018

I had the tag last year and would be happy to give you a hand. It was a great experience! PM me and we can talk!

Jmiz · Aug 9, 2020

bugle4one said:
I had the tag last year and would be happy to give you a hand. It was a great experience! PM me and we can talk!

I was wondering how your hunt went? I also drew the October hunt for this tag. Just moved to Idaho and trying to learn unit. Any help you could give would be appreciated

JPickett · Aug 10, 2020

quads or a side x side will greatly improve the enjoyment of this hunt. a lot of ground you can cover on the 2 tracks in there

Jmiz · Aug 10, 2020

JPickett said:
quads or a side x side will greatly improve the enjoyment of this hunt. a lot of ground you can cover on the 2 tracks in there

Thank you! Got that covered! Would you suggest west or east end of unit to focus on?

JPickett · Aug 10, 2020

That time of year I’d be on the south part of the unit. Fair amount of public land if you use on x and I’ve seen bulls from the freeway in the winter. Be a fun hunt. Cover ground and glass. I coyote hunt it a lot so I may see ya out there