Non-res question

[Ticks N Tines]

I have a question for you die hard Idaho huntin boys.
I've got a fellow Utard friend that is planning a Idaho DIY hunt for deer and elk. I'm not quite sure which unit, but it's just an over the counter tag for deer and elk. He has been told by some guy (that has also never hunted there, but done a bunch of research) that you can hike in 10-15 miles into the wilderness of this unit and shoot a nice buck and bull every year.
My buddy is stoked about the hunt and he thinks that it's really that easy to hike in and come out with a 4 point and a six point. He is hurtin for money and if he came home empty handed he would be pretty discouraged as the tags cost some real $$$.
I have tried to tell him that it's probably not like it sounds and that he should do some major research before just heading out and expecting to harvest some trophies.

So my question is, what do you think his odds are of just hiking into an area without scouting and seeing elk and deer everywhere??? Any Ideas on what area he is talking about?

This just sounds a little to good to be true, and If it was true I would think you guys would be posting pics of all the monsters that you kill every year.

Help me help this guy out!!
Thanks,
Matt from Utah

 

[Frontier]

Everything in hunting depends on alot of factors. Area and what is going on in that area for the last 5 years, predators, winter, hunting pressure etc. Condition and age of the person, hunting savy, outdoor experience, persistance and the amount of time he can spend on a hunt. Last and not least, luck. I've went on some archery hunts where on opening weekend I had a nice buck on the ground the first day and a bull the next. Other times I've hunted my rear off for 10 days and came home with nothning. It's kind of the way it goes if a person is going to hunt anywhere. If your friend thinks a successful hunt is filling his tags with a nice 6 point bull and a nice 4 point buck, better stay home. If he loves the outdoors, loves seeing animals in the wild and likes the challenge and does his home work, then he'll have a good hunt. Good luck to your friend.

 

[Ticks N Tines]

thanks for your reply, and I understand that hunting always depends on certain factors.
I just think about a non-resident hunting elk on a general unit in Utah, and without ever scouting or any experience on the unit, the odds are terrible for scoring a bull. There's always the luck factor, but here in Utah you really need to know what you're doing.
These guys are determined to kill a buck/bull and they will work hard for it. I hope they are successful but you just never know what you are getting into without actually scouting and doing some research on the area. I hope the unit they hunt has elk and deer all over it, so they can get-r-done. It just doesn't seem that easy to me.

 

[deepforks]

i would tell your buddy to save up a few extra bucks and plan a summer scouting trip or two at least to see the country he wants to hunt. check the fish and game website for statistics in the unit when they come out. make phone calls, study maps, and make more phone calls. regardless how i feel about our game department, there are a lot of good biologists that have a lot of information they are willing to share. i hope your buddy realizes that nothing in hunting is a sure thing. i too have gone into places where i knew i was going to kill and came out a lot more humble. hope it works out for him. i think someone told me about that place a few years back too

 

[peez3006]

Hiking in 10-15 miles into a wilderness, dropping an elk, then trying to get it out, sounds like a tall order to me. I'm not sure where you're thinking of hunting, but 10-15 miles in steep country is a bunch. I think that getting into deer and elk is very doable, but there's going to be a learning curve. It might take a couple of years to start getting things figured out. I think I would look for a spot closer to the truck to kill an elk, if it was coming out on my back. Good luck!

Don P.

 

[orion23]

10-15 miles in the wilderness would almost be impossible to get an elk out on your back with your gear.

Hunting isnt like it used to be. 15 years ago i heard the same things about the Selway and Frank Church. Not that way anymore. if he'll be disappointed if he doesnt harvest he better not come. The odds arent in his favor.

If the money comes and that is no big deal if he harvests, then i say give r' hell cause you never know what you'll run into when your out in the wilderness.

Travis
www.RidgelineOutdoors.com