No luck in Idaho

[d16ridgehiker]

Had a great time, humbled to say the least. The solo drive getting there was 17 hours..... wiped me out. The drive into the area on Sunday was a dirt road for two and a half hours. The whole way in looks like a parade of people coming out. Should have waited another week since the weather was way too hot for the deer to move down. 75 degrees was not gonna get em moving. TONS of people driving the roads every morning. Still managed to get far enough back I didn't see too many people. Dirt bike helped get back off main roads. Parked it locked it up and hiked. Only saw 10 does in 4 days. Seem like everyone I talk to was seeing the same thing. Did see one forked horn and a small 3x3 hanging in camps. Other than that it was residents shooting does from the road. Talked to a kid from West Virginia who said it's the least amount of deer he had seen in 10 years. Would love to go back with the knowledge I have now but doing the drive solo in one shot is out of the question.

 

[TJD123]

I hunted opening week in central Idaho. I've been hunting this area for years now and know it well. It was by far the worst hunt i've had there. Lots of does and fawns, but couldn't turn up a legal buck. In past years in the same area a legal buck was just about guaranteed

 

[TrapLine]

17 hour solo shot is how i like to roll also, but with a camper I would of uplanded along the way. Nice country

 

[d16ridgehiker]

17 hour solo shot is how i like to roll also, but with a camper I would of uplanded along the way. Nice country

Yeah I hear ya. I barely got my truck back on the Friday before I left on Sat. Took 2 months to get it back after it was stolen. Had the camper loaded and ready but had never had it fully mounted on the truck. Got the truck home, got the camper on it and left at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. Was going to stop and sleep but just kept pushing through. By the time I got there I was wiped out. Then had a few electrical problems with the camper that I had to sort out. It was all worth it... To tell you the truth, I would do it all over again. I saw some of the most beautiful country I've ever hiked in my life.

 

[HATCHET1]

Does from the Roads!!! The residents Know how to FINISH!! I like Idaho..and roads!!

 

[HortoTheSlayer]

Thanks for sharing and sounds like it wasn't for the lack of trying! Looks like I will be getting rain 4 of the 5 days that I plan to hunt elk next week..the weather is unpredictable out here. Getting snow tonight in some parts of the mountains.

 

[d16ridgehiker]

Thanks for sharing and sounds like it wasn't for the lack of trying! Looks like I will be getting rain 4 of the 5 days that I plan to hunt elk next week..the weather is unpredictable out here. Getting snow tonight in some parts of the mountains.

Anyone I spoke with who was friendly said they saw a few cows running around but no bulls yet.

 

[Nimrod]

Great effort and experience! Beautiful country for sure!

 

[QuailSlayer]

Had a great time, humbled to say the least. The solo drive getting there was 17 hours..... wiped me out. The drive into the area on Sunday was a dirt road for two and a half hours. The whole way in looks like a parade of people coming out. Should have waited another week since the weather was way too hot for the deer to move down. 75 degrees was not gonna get em moving. TONS of people driving the roads every morning. Still managed to get far enough back I didn't see too many people. Dirt bike helped get back off main roads. Parked it locked it up and hiked. Only saw 10 does in 4 days. Seem like everyone I talk to was seeing the same thing. Did see one forked horn and a small 3x3 hanging in camps. Other than that it was residents shooting does from the road. Talked to a kid from West Virginia who said it's the least amount of deer he had seen in 10 years. Would love to go back with the knowledge I have now but doing the drive solo in one shot is out of the question.

Great post and pics. Yes, deer counts near our area down for sure. Ironically, there were 6 whitetail in our yard when we came back from dinner Wednessday night. Go figure. Better luck next time out.

 

[QuailSlayer]

Thanks for sharing and sounds like it wasn't for the lack of trying! Looks like I will be getting rain 4 of the 5 days that I plan to hunt elk next week..the weather is unpredictable out here. Getting snow tonight in some parts of the mountains.

The weather has turned for sure. We got another 1-2 inches of snow early this morning along with cow elk that have been coming through our property every couple of days for the last 2 weeks. No bulls yet. Good luck on your outing.

 

[Jnasty24]

Had a great time, humbled to say the least. The solo drive getting there was 17 hours..... wiped me out. The drive into the area on Sunday was a dirt road for two and a half hours. The whole way in looks like a parade of people coming out. Should have waited another week since the weather was way too hot for the deer to move down. 75 degrees was not gonna get em moving. TONS of people driving the roads every morning. Still managed to get far enough back I didn't see too many people. Dirt bike helped get back off main roads. Parked it locked it up and hiked. Only saw 10 does in 4 days. Seem like everyone I talk to was seeing the same thing. Did see one forked horn and a small 3x3 hanging in camps. Other than that it was residents shooting does from the road. Talked to a kid from West Virginia who said it's the least amount of deer he had seen in 10 years. Would love to go back with the knowledge I have now but doing the drive solo in one shot is out of the question.

I have in-laws in Preist River Idaho. It’s a nightmare to wait in line online to get deer or elk tags but I would be happy to split this drive with you. I drive up twice a year solo it’s rough like you said.