Southern Hunter
New Member
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- 4
I Wanted to go ahead and introduce myself on this forum.
My name is Dakota. I am an out of stater that until here as recently until this year had the realistic expectations like so many out there that the possibility of being able to travel and experience hunting big game out west was going to be an unlikely circumstance until much later on in life down the line.
Thankfully due to being approached by a family member back in Dec of 19 about the aspect of doing a general season OTC hunt for muleys and elk come late Oct-mid Nov this year in unit 39 in Idaho. I had not even the slightest glimmer of any type of thought or Hope's of ever being able to take on something like the trip we will be doing nor being able to afford it as well.
Fortunately at least for myself after doing some research and talking with a bunch of vets that hunt I was able to learn of the great programs as well as resources the state of Idaho had in regards to Veterans and DAV as well. Which is a major factor in itself of why being a DAV I was able to get the signoff to go ahead and get my tags and license taken care of and travel to and from coordinated as well.
In saying this I know mainly in part due to copious amounts of research, skimming, and reading up on article after article and lengthy amounts of forum content. I know the generalized concept of out of staters to the local community and regular hunters is an unsavoury subject to say the least for the most part. However I do want to express how grateful and how much I am anxiously looking forward to have the opportunity to be able to hunt out of state in the west and put forth my best efforts in terms of trying to come up successful in my endeavors. I am not making this post to ask for any handouts or anything of the sort but to Express the excitement I have in being able to go chase after muleys and elk in idaho.
That being said I know that unit 39 for Idaho is not a popular unit for most due to hunter density with alot of crowds from season to season, as well as predation by wolves, and lastly in general a decrease in herd numbers between muleys and elk.
Our plan is to hunt as hard as we can and go as far off the beaten path and roads as we can by foot. Once we reach the areas we plan on hunting We will spend as much time behind glass as possible. We will be in state 14 days during the general season hunt for both muleys and elk during the respective seasons for both. As far as camping situation goes we intend on living out of our packs for 3 days or so at a time heading back to our vehicle to top off on supplies as needed. In terms of physical preparation to the best of our ability in the months leading up there is going to be a serious focus on getting as ready as we can possibly be for the harsh and unforgiving terrain and elevation the unit is known for as we possibly can. In terms of scouting, we are relying solely on our e scouting efforts and the numerous conversations we have had with the state and unit area specific biologists.
Overall I am very much looking forward to my 1st actual out of state trip to the west. Be it as it may a DIY OTC general season hunt in 1 of the toughest units in the state. Still coming from an out of stater I plan to make the most of the trip while we are there successful or not it will be the memories made that will ultimately be priceless for this southerner from Ga. Thanks guys I apologize for the lengthy message but I wanted to introduce myself to yall and just have fun learning about the state and what it has to offer and have the ability to talk in general with those of yall who have experienced hunting in the state and hopefully hear some stories good and bad about hunting in the state. And again I just want to reiterate as I have seen some posts and threads where folks are just asking solely on the premise of freebies and locations for spots, etc.... we have and are working on determining our own areas to check out and hunt for the trip through our e scouting efforts and already have several areas we agree on so far in mind for the trip. Just looking forward to general hunting conversation on here with everyone on the forum.
My name is Dakota. I am an out of stater that until here as recently until this year had the realistic expectations like so many out there that the possibility of being able to travel and experience hunting big game out west was going to be an unlikely circumstance until much later on in life down the line.
Thankfully due to being approached by a family member back in Dec of 19 about the aspect of doing a general season OTC hunt for muleys and elk come late Oct-mid Nov this year in unit 39 in Idaho. I had not even the slightest glimmer of any type of thought or Hope's of ever being able to take on something like the trip we will be doing nor being able to afford it as well.
Fortunately at least for myself after doing some research and talking with a bunch of vets that hunt I was able to learn of the great programs as well as resources the state of Idaho had in regards to Veterans and DAV as well. Which is a major factor in itself of why being a DAV I was able to get the signoff to go ahead and get my tags and license taken care of and travel to and from coordinated as well.
In saying this I know mainly in part due to copious amounts of research, skimming, and reading up on article after article and lengthy amounts of forum content. I know the generalized concept of out of staters to the local community and regular hunters is an unsavoury subject to say the least for the most part. However I do want to express how grateful and how much I am anxiously looking forward to have the opportunity to be able to hunt out of state in the west and put forth my best efforts in terms of trying to come up successful in my endeavors. I am not making this post to ask for any handouts or anything of the sort but to Express the excitement I have in being able to go chase after muleys and elk in idaho.
That being said I know that unit 39 for Idaho is not a popular unit for most due to hunter density with alot of crowds from season to season, as well as predation by wolves, and lastly in general a decrease in herd numbers between muleys and elk.
Our plan is to hunt as hard as we can and go as far off the beaten path and roads as we can by foot. Once we reach the areas we plan on hunting We will spend as much time behind glass as possible. We will be in state 14 days during the general season hunt for both muleys and elk during the respective seasons for both. As far as camping situation goes we intend on living out of our packs for 3 days or so at a time heading back to our vehicle to top off on supplies as needed. In terms of physical preparation to the best of our ability in the months leading up there is going to be a serious focus on getting as ready as we can possibly be for the harsh and unforgiving terrain and elevation the unit is known for as we possibly can. In terms of scouting, we are relying solely on our e scouting efforts and the numerous conversations we have had with the state and unit area specific biologists.
Overall I am very much looking forward to my 1st actual out of state trip to the west. Be it as it may a DIY OTC general season hunt in 1 of the toughest units in the state. Still coming from an out of stater I plan to make the most of the trip while we are there successful or not it will be the memories made that will ultimately be priceless for this southerner from Ga. Thanks guys I apologize for the lengthy message but I wanted to introduce myself to yall and just have fun learning about the state and what it has to offer and have the ability to talk in general with those of yall who have experienced hunting in the state and hopefully hear some stories good and bad about hunting in the state. And again I just want to reiterate as I have seen some posts and threads where folks are just asking solely on the premise of freebies and locations for spots, etc.... we have and are working on determining our own areas to check out and hunt for the trip through our e scouting efforts and already have several areas we agree on so far in mind for the trip. Just looking forward to general hunting conversation on here with everyone on the forum.