Four of us are considering elk hunting (rifle) in Idaho's Selway unit 17 for the 2008 season, likely the first two weeks of October. Anyone have any experience in this unit? Any tips for first timers to the region? We would plan on making a few summer scouting trips.

It's some of the most consistently tough terrain in the lower 48.

Dense, steep, lots of down timber; can also be very wet for extended periods.

Be in shape.......IMHO, if you can get horses, later is better than earlier, but if you go early, try to go during bugle season.

MM

We hunted there on an A tag. Bugle em in and shoot em with a rifle. Do you have horses?

Unless you already have tags, you're considering an' 09 hunt. Think '08 are sold out.
TOUGH county,timber and brush, steep as the back of God's head. There are no roads, you're gonna need horses.

IDAHOELKHNTR - " Unless you already have tags, you're considering an' 09 hunt. Think '08 are sold out."


Huh uh.

Idaho F&G hunting regs for 2008 aren't even set yet. Go here for the regs... when they are posted.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

As for Unit 17... yep, it's rough country.

L.W.

STEEP and DEEP, that describes the Selway - I recommend trying to get a tag in a limited draw area first. Seems like the out of staters' get quite a few tags in good areas. Over the counter out of state tags don't usually run out until mid September.

Hunted in 16A on the border with 17 last September. Idaho is steep, deep, thick but it isn't high. I found it easier than where I hunt in central Colorado because you didn't have to deal with much elevation. But........

The trade-offs are several:
1. It is thick. You likely won't be shooting very far.
2. It is steep but use your head when packing gear and it is very doable.
3. The elk density is low. I'm not sure I would go in October, post rut and all. I was into elk amost every day bugling, saw exactly 1 bull in 6 days of hunting. The bonus is the opportunity to run into a really big bull. A big 6x6 (300-310 or so) was killed in the next camp over from us. The rack was way cool due to the mass it carried well out into the main frame.

I'd also plan on using horses to get in and out but I suppose a non-horse hunt is possible given good connections and luck.

In the end, I'd go again. Good luck.

-- BW

Thanks for information. Does anyone have any experince accessing the area via Lost Horse Rd (coming from Hamilton, MT)? Since we're coming from WA, is it worth the drive around?

yes and no

Selway B tags are sold out...

There is a lesson in this for Idahoans. If you have to pull out of Idaho, buy your lifetime license before you leave the State. I posted the following back in 02:

The money for purchasing Montana non-resident tags is my traditional Christmas present from my wife. I am going take my refund (unsuccessful MT drawing) and buy my lifetime Idaho hunting license. So, when I retire in Montana in a few years, I will be able to go back home and hunt. I will have to pay the cost of non-resident tags, but will not be subject to any of the non-resident quotas. I believe that the quota issues in Idaho will start resembling Montana�s in short order. CP.

I think it is worth the drive around. It is about the only road access into unit 17 unless you come through elk city. The Paradise and Magruder areas are not quite as thick as the northern portion of the unit but the entire area is steep. You won't be the only one there too. It is quite a popular area, at least it was in the 90s. You better be in shape for this hunt, even with horses. As stated earlier, the elk density is not exactly outstanding, at least in my experience. This is northern unit 17, packing in from MT. I think the southern end is even steeper. Good luck.

The Lost Horse Road from Hamilton into Idaho? Is this the same as the Magurder Corrdor Road from just below Elk City (ID) to Darby (MT)? If so, it is a slow going road (113 miles and 8 hours). I visited Dixie, Idaho last June and passed the start of the road, but was deterred by the sign; rather I drove over the mountians on Route 12 (about 2.5X longer, but less time).

I worked in the area in the early '60s and then the road was a very marginal 4X4 truck road. Now it is a pretty good road, but with the sub-compact rental auto, I just chickened out.

The land in this area is very rough, steep and rugged. Carrying a 110 pound pack cross-country over the mountians, as we used to do to get out to a road or trail, is very difficult.

Yes it is the same road. And yes, it is an all day adventure coming from Elk City, even without a trailor. Coming from the MT side isn't so bad or long.

Actually the �lost horse road� dead ends at twin lakes at the Montana Idaho boarder. Access to the lost horse road is off Route 93 several miles south of Hamilton, MT. The Magurder corridor can be accessed also by driving route 93 south of Hamilton, MT though Darby, MT and then heading west up the �west fork�.

Like the others have posted. Unit 17 is rugged and for the most part heavily timbered. Wolves! You can expect to hear them every night. Elk? there are a few, as few nice ones come out of this area every year. Wolves continue to be a problem!

Hunted that area in early October 07 - four of us hunted hard without seeing a deer or elk for 5 days - but did see wolves every day and heard them every night. Sixth day we finally scored and found the elk. Took a large 6x6 and a 4x5. Beautiful country, incredibly steep, rocky and wet.

Hey jetcraft, would you mind show or emailing me a pic of your elk from the 07 hunt?

Hornsquatch,
You live in Hamilton, do you know if Lost Horse Road is in good enough condition October 1st to pull a 20 ft. Camping trailer up to set up a base camp? I plan on packing in for a couple 3-4 day hunts, but it sure would be nice to have a 'home' to come back to for restocking supplies.

There was a note in last years hunting regs that there may be changes in store for this year depending on what survey flights showed. I haven't heard any info yet on what this year has in store.

Duped, at the end of the lost horse road there are two forks that each go to trailheads.

The north road fork goes to twin lakes and accesses the moose creek crail. The last 3 miles are really, really rough. You could possibly pull a camper to twin lakes but you would beat the hell out of it. Any early snow would really screw you on that last couple miles.

The south fork of the road goes to the bear creek trailhead. Which also has an outfitter. I think youd have better luck pulling a camper to there, but i havent driven it for years so i dont know what its like now. Snow is 10-12 feet deep up there eah winter and washouts are different each year.

Personally, I doubt youd get much good elk hunting from the lost horse road. Its one of those areas that looks good on a map because its so big and wild on a map, but in reality its just not very good elk country until you get way into idaho. Mucher further than dayhunting reach. Mostly rock up on the divide, but there are a handfull of elk that feel like living in our own version of yosetime park.

good luck.

i had a thought. i have horses, mule and all the gear for a wall tent camp. If getting in there a ways is something you guys would want to do I would be interested in packing a "drop" camp in on trade for something. Im not a guide but would consider working something out. I would need to check to see whats legal and make sure the time didnt interfere with my own hunt camp trip.

Thanks so much for the insight. If you were hunting the Selway Zone, where would you hunt? Any direction you can point me for my research would be greatly appreciated...drainages, trailhead access, etc. I'll be hunting Oct. 1-12. I'll be hunting with camp on my back.

Hornsquatch, if I wanted to back-pack into big sand lake in the Selway, just to the west of Hamilton, do you think it would be easiest to go over Blodget (sp) pass or come in from Elk Summit in Idaho ? I know the pack from elk summit is 8 miles one way but there is also a substantial dirt road getting to elk summit. Hamilton and driving west to the trail head may be quicker and an easier hike. What do you think ?

Hornsquatch, I would like to talk about the drop camp option for a base camp. I also have a wall tent and all the gear. There are 6 guys who are planning on hunting the area. I'm interested.

Dupedc,

Im thinking about possible ideas. Will reply as soon as i have my thoughts and information gathered.

Rolly - elk summit is better access to big sand lake, closer and less climbing. Either route is a long way in.

Duped, do you mean you are part of a group of six?

Here's a starting point for you to consider:

Backpack huntin is definitely doable in the selway. If your successful it will be a REAL test getting the elk out on your back. You would have to determine your limits in advance and decide not to hunt further from the road than that. For most guys im guessing thats around 5 miles, in the steep selway country maybe less than that.

There are about 8 outfitters that guide in this part of the selway. Ive pasted their names and prices at the bottom of this post in case your interested in them. Their drop camp services typically consist of: camps set up with tents, stove, cots, cut firewood. You have to provide your food but they pack it in for you. They also let you ride their horses to and from camp. Im not sure what extra they charge for packing elk meat/horns out.

I am not an outfitter so i could not transport people or do any guiding. But im pretty sure i could be a packer and just bring camp in and camp/elk out in exchange for barter. What is legal as barter i still need to research, but im thinking something like services worth the equivalent of half or less what is charged in money as seen below. Again i dont want to break any law, so i need to read up.

The advantage of hiring a real outfitter is you know what your getting and they know the area. The disadvantage is they are going to put people in drop camps in areas were they wont interfere with their higher paying clients. Also, since outfitters can only use their permitted camp sites, this includes for drops, their permitted sites pretty much get hammered the entire season. Personally, when im hunting for myself i avoid outfitter campsites like the plague. They are hunted day in/day out by large groups. If your interested in an outfitter, there is one or two in the list below i would recommend. Also with some phone calls you might be able to find an honest guide who will drop you in a good area that isnt hammered by his other hunters.

pm me if you think we should talk more on this.

(all prices per person)
Meadow Creek Outfitters -$1,700
Bear Creek Outfitters -no drop camps
Mike Richie Outfitters -?
World Class Outfitting -$2250 - $2450 +6% tax
Bitterroot Outfitters -$2,000
Wildlife Adventures -$2,400
Lockey U Outfitters -$1,500
Ready Outfitters -?

Wow! Thanks for the insight and information. I am still very much in the research portion of the hunt. This is a huge area. I am looking at all access points for the Selway zone...16A, 17, 19, and 20. There are forest service roads that come into the area east of Elk City and Dixie to name two. I think that right now, I'm looking at hunting with camp on my back anywhere we go, but having a packer would definitely be a bonus. Oh, roger that about avoiding outfitter drop camps. The whole idea of this hunt is to get away from the crowds and push the envelope physically. My next step is to speak to game biologists and game wardens to pick their brains. I appreciate your input!

Its easy to kill a good bull in that unit..Get up high and find the place you least desire to go down into..The deepest nastiest, swampiest black hole you can find. Shoot him then pack him out on your back, piece at a time..

Hunt the black timber swamps and holes after the first shot is fired. I hunted that area and adjacent areas for 20 years, but no more, age crept up on me. I walk off Long Tom Lookout to the highway these days.

Their website says that 2008 B tags are already sold out as of 1/25. There are 121 A tags left right now. SELWAY

Dick

atkinson, you ever get any good bulls in your years in the selway? I see it as a good place to get away from other hunters and get a 280-320 bull but never seen much bigger. Seems like either not good enough feed or too much early rifle pressure for the bulls to get huge.

Ray, If you were going to hunt the Selway, where would you hunt? Is there a trail head you like to go in on, or a particular drainage that you have found to be productive the first week of October? Thanks

HighRoad, did you get my pm?

Two years ago I went on a hunt with him. He got $4400 for a 2 on 1 guided hunt. He's expensive, but well worth it. It's a wilderness experience all the way. You have to hire a bush pilot to fly into a little strip that's surrounded by the wilderness, then he picks you up on horseback and takes you to camp. He and his guides work really hard, and by the end of the week you'll wonder why he doesn't charge more.

I wasn't quite expecting the weather. My hunt was early November, and it rained every night, and most days were foggy and overcast. He did find us our bulls.