Desert ELK in IDAHO

[ELKCHASER]

I am going to try to hunt the Desert this year ( Snake River Zone ) Units 63 and 53. Looks like a lot of these elk live year round in the desert and skip in and out of the INEEL. Anyone tried this hunt? Can elk live in lava fields?

Thanks for any info, work and the navy make it so that this is the best hunt for me this year, although I would rather hunt the timberline.


ELK CHASER

 

[Ithaca 37]

I've heard there's some decent elk hunting out there, but don't know exactly where. I'd do some scouting and ask the farmers.

 

[Erik in AK]

A 400 class bull was killed in 99 near Manti, south of Twin Falls, out in the sage flats. Its a good unit or so I've been told. Contact the big dairy farms for info. Until last year when the new unit was created they had the most depredation complaints so I'm pretty sure access won't be an issue if you call ahead.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Erik, South of Twin Falls is not in that unit. Unit 53 is a FLAT unit with LOTS of holes for elk and deer to hide in. If a guy had a plane to locate them you might have a chance. The farmers I know will never allow access. But no access to private land is not the problem. The main problem is the TOPOGRAPHY of the unit. There is just no hills to get up on to see anything. The big bull that was killed there was out of a silage pit by the owner of the farm. A friend of mine had his bull in the taxidermy shop at the same time as this bull. The cape of this 400 class bull ended up on my friends elk. The capes were switched back and all went well. But I am sure when I say the story I heard was this bull was killed by a woman in a silage pit on private land. This has been a open hunt for elk for a LONG time. I live only 10 minutes from the unit and I don't hunt there.
Ron

 

[Cutthroat]

ol cutthroat gonna give them desert elk a run this year a buddy hunts them and deer out there. So we shall see at least it will be some different scenery I just hate having to look at the sawtooths all day long when hunting LOL Let ya all know when we scout what we find etc.

 

[T Bone]

i grew up hunting there. write me a private e mail

T-Bone

 

[HUNT2MUCH]

the trick is to get into them the first day or two , cuz after that they turn completely nocturnal, and be prepared for lots of hunters drivin around, and know the INEEL boundaries well, the guys with private land connections do well for the first few days good luck h2m

 

[Tucks]

i grew up hunting there. write me a private e mail

T-Bone

HI TBone,
I like to private pm you but I don't think I have enough posts. I have a Snake River A Tag this year. I'd like to hear what you have to say. I know it has been a long time since your post but pm me please. Along with anyone else.

 

[millerkiller77]

HI TBone,
I like to private pm you but I don't think I have enough posts. I have a Snake River A Tag this year. I'd like to hear what you have to say. I know it has been a long time since your post but pm me please. Along with anyone else.

Buddy! 21 year old thread necro? If there was a prize for this, you'd certainly be blue ribbon material. How old were you when this thread started?

 

[SC Living Outdoors]

HI TBone,
I like to private pm you but I don't think I have enough posts. I have a Snake River A Tag this year. I'd like to hear what you have to say. I know it has been a long time since your post but pm me please. Along with anyone else.

Welcome to HT.

Resurrecting a 21yr old thread is an impressive introduction.

 

[jt13]

At least you picked someone still active on here! God speed soldier

 

[Huntin' Fool]

I hunt huns, quail and pheasants in 53. Aug 1 - Dec 31 short range weapons only. See elk once in a while. Gives you a long season.

 

[mikhub06]

i grew up hunting there. write me a private e mail

T-Bone

T Bone, an Army buddy and I guy just got the big desert and we are planning an archery hunt. I wondering if you be willing to share any info.

 

[Dave N]

And we're off!!!

 

[TheTone]

And we're off!!!

Has to be record time. Unreal

 

[Sheltowee]

This thread is so old that it can buy beer (legally)!

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

T Bone, an Army buddy and I guy just got the big desert and we are planning an archery hunt. I wondering if you be willing to share any info.

Shit man...the pain of those who didn't get a tag hasn't even peaked yet and your already looking for a free meal.
As for info to share...get a map your army buddy should be able to read it since he is in the army. Then go figure it out and elk are brown in color.

 

[WIbiggame]

Tagged this one for the comments and you guys didn't disappoint!

This thread is so old that it can buy beer (legally)!

Winning the internet today

 

[Wild Bill]

T Bone, an Army buddy and I guy just got the big desert and we are planning an archery hunt. I wondering if you be willing to share any info.

...... Welcome to hunt talk.

 

[BuckDoe34]

T Bone, an Army buddy and I guy just got the big desert and we are planning an archery hunt. I wondering if you be willing to share any info.

Seems like the units are pretty flat looking at it on On X. Appears as though there's a few glassing knobs that stick up out of the desert. I drove through here late Sept 2023 and saw a raghorn running through the sagebrush, so they do exist. I wonder how many of the elk in this zone live primarily on the pivot fields, or nearby.