I have decided after several years in a elk zone that get very high hunting pressure that I would like to hunt some where that doesn't have as many hunters and I would prefer to get away from them all together. Is there anyone I can call that can point me in the direction of some where that has decent elk numbers and is way out of the way of people. I don't care how far I have to hike or anything like that, I can figure out the logistics but I would like to find some where I can archery hunt deep in the back country, I'm just looking for units or maybe mountains to get me started not any ones honey hole.
Answer:
Idaho is blessed with many backcountry elk hunting spots and many big game units with few roads or motorized traffic allowed. Wilderness hunts provide hunters the opportunity to get away from road hunters. Archery hunters like to hunt during archery only seasons typically so the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 states would be considered non huntable because the September hunt allows rifles. You didn't mention you wanted to hunt on public land though that is a given for most hunters. If however you want to hunt on private land, many large landowners are very selective about who they allow hunting on their property, thus providing great conditions and low crowding. You might consider ranch lands in the Lemhi, Beaverhead, Salmon, or Pioneer zones that have many elk but lots of private land. That will require some ground work getting permission however. People that want to hunt on public land have to share with other hunters unfortunately. The good thing though is that most hunters don't stray too far from roads even during archery season. If someone wishes to walk and camp away from trailheads, most units provide very low traffic areas.
You didn't mention which elk zone you have been hunting in but I would bet you could find areas with low pressure there too. The problem with archery hunting is everyone bugles and cow calls and it sounds like the woods are full of people, thus detracting from the experience for the solitude seeking hunter. Just look for the holes that nobody wants to go to away from roads and trails, or the hanging basins half way up a mountain if you want to find elk that haven't been pressured. They disappear after getting hunted into these hard to get places as you probably know. If you are willing to work for it, you can find solitude even in heavily hunted zones. You might do some homework on our website looking at hunter success and number of hunters in a zone then call the regional office for better information on the zone or unit you are exploring. Good luck!
Answered on:
Monday, October 5, 2015 - 9:58 AM MDT