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2018 Elk Hunt

Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
Anyone elk hunting this year?

I'm planning another trip to Idaho around the 15th of September. I usually only go for a week, but this year I'm going for two. Unless you have been hunting an area for years, or you are just one of those guys who are lucky as hell, getting the job done in 5 to 7 days is tough. My experience is it usually takes that long to figure out where the elk are and what their habits are.

I'm on the fence between driving and flying out. Spencer ID is 32 hours from my place in PA. I'm not going to push it so I'm thinking it'll take me 2.5 days to get there and probably 3.5 to return. I'm guesstimating the return trip will be longer because of fatigue (elk hunting is pretty darn physical) and needing more breaks.

The pro's about driving are that I can take all my gear (and not skimp because of baggage restrictions), take off and do my own thing from camp, avoid expensive baggage fees if I get one, and leave for home early if I need to. The cons of driving are how long it takes to get there and fuel expenses (which are a little less than flying out and renting a truck). I think the only way I'll fly is if I can get a free flight using frequent flier miles. I'm about 5K short with United.

I'll also be getting a mule deer tag. Last year I just about closed the deal on an OK buck so you just never know. Another nice thing is that in ID I can use my deer tag to take a black bear if the opportunity arises.

Lastly if I get one early or need the change things up can also do some coyote hunting.

Yesterday I started my elk season training. Starting in November I slacked off on the weights due to a BAD case of tennis elbow (in both). December I slacked off on the cardio. I got a great deal on a tread climber and buddy,,,,, that sucker is a butt kicker of a work out.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
If you have extra time I’d suggest a fishing trip or prairie dog busting. The Snake River offers some outstanding fishing. And if you’ve never blasted PD’s...that’s a hell of a lot of fun!
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
FIL and I just put in for Arizona yesterday. I think this is the 8th year for him so our odds are pretty good. Since we already have a license if we don't get drawn we may do a cull bull hunt on the Navajo reservation
 

motorbreaker

*Supporting Member I*
1,542
63
North of Toledo
I had a chance to go on a guided hunt in Montana with my buddy, But its for the first week of November so I decided not to go. It was a cow only hunt but I love elk meat.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Ill be buying a point,,,,and an NR AZ license thst i wont use...
I think this is the 5th year I've bought one and never hunted the state. $175 for the license. If I get drawn this year I'll be in $875 in licenses plus $650 for a bull tag. Thats $1,525 total in licenses and tags. Lol. This is my FILs 8th year so he's already in 1,400 in licenses alone. The good news is its a group draw with 4 of us in, so if one gets drawn we all get a tag.
 

Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
I think this is the 5th year I've bought one and never hunted the state. $175 for the license. If I get drawn this year I'll be in $875 in licenses plus $650 for a bull tag. Thats $1,525 total in licenses and tags. Lol. This is my FILs 8th year so he's already in 1,400 in licenses alone. The good news is its a group draw with 4 of us in, so if one gets drawn we all get a tag.
Crazy isnt it!?

I have 9 for WY, 9 or 10 for UT, and 5 for az
 

tpierce

Junior Member
I'm looking into a 2019 elk hunt in Firth Idaho with Broadmouth Canyon Ranch. Hoping 1 or 2 of my nephews will want to go too. I have a 270, and a 308. Do I need anything larger for shots up to 400 yards? It's been a longtime dream of mune to go on a western elk hunt.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I'm looking into a 2019 elk hunt in Firth Idaho with Broadmouth Canyon Ranch. Hoping 1 or 2 of my nephews will want to go too. I have a 270, and a 308. Do I need anything larger for shots up to 400 yards? It's been a longtime dream of mune to go on a western elk hunt.
Good luck! Both will work great. A quality optic and practice will help also.
 

Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
I'm looking into a 2019 elk hunt in Firth Idaho with Broadmouth Canyon Ranch. Hoping 1 or 2 of my nephews will want to go too. I have a 270, and a 308. Do I need anything larger for shots up to 400 yards? It's been a longtime dream of mune to go on a western elk hunt.

I'd use the 308. The 270 will do the job as long the shot placement is good. At 400 yards in the mountains a lot can go wrong and the extra KE will go a long way.
 

teej89

Senior Member
2,288
48
NE PA
yup off to central MT for another week, then back again in november, we have a good feeling about it this year. Last year where we were finding them was 10+ miles in and 5 of which we coulda ridden w/ a quad... so this year we have a quad to get our wall tent back in the first 5 miles and are bringing bivvy gear to get out the next 5.

First DIY last year and we had 2 good encounters and had a half dozen bulls within 100yds, we got stuck in 18" of snow the entire week so we had to make lemonade outta lemons.