Elk in St Joe area of the panhandle of ID

[Iceman2010]

Can you be more specific? Do you mean you got a Palouse Zone tag? And Welcome to Hunttalk.

Yes I got a Palouse A tag and will be hunting Idaho for first time. Just trying to pick a few brains out there, not burn spots. 2600 Mile drive and starting the e scouting already

 

[44hunter45]

The first thing you need to do is go to the IDFG hunt planner and download the KML files for the Palouse Zone, GMUs 8, 8A, and 11A. Go online and buy a Clearwater National Forest visitor map. Go to the PotlatchDeltic Timber Company and read their recreation and camping policies.

This is the most roaded unit in the state. There are a lot of gated roads, but don't be shocked to run into an ATV on them.

You are not going to find 350 class bulls waiting to be shot. I recommend not passing anything thinking you are going to see a hog the next day.

Elk do bugle, but they can shut down pretty early, especially when its hot. You need to be blowing locating calls before legal light. Then be prepared to go into some nastiness where they will be to get away from the roads.

It will be hot early in September, with the late summer rains hopefully hitting about mid-month. Fires are a real issue. Have lots of plan B areas scouted and pay attention to the real-time fire maps online as the summer progresses. Have a plan to deal with your meat in the heat.

The lighter parts in the west and south of the zone which you see on Google Earth are essentially all private farm land. Use your eScouting to find public land or corporate timber land. Some timber companies require a permit and some do not. You will have to identify them and go to their websites to figure that out.

 

[Iceman2010]

The first thing you need to do is go to the IDFG hunt planner and download the KML files for the Palouse Zone, GMUs 8, 8A, and 11A. Go online and buy a Clearwater National Forest visitor map. Go to the PotlatchDeltic Timber Company and read their recreation and camping policies.

This is the most roaded unit in the state. There are a lot of gated roads, but don't be shocked to run into an ATV on them.

You are not going to find 350 class bulls waiting to be shot. I recommend not passing anything thinking you are going to see a hog the next day.

Elk do bugle, but they can shut down pretty early, especially when its hot. You need to be blowing locating calls before legal light. Then be prepared to go into some nastiness where they will be to get away from the roads.

It will be hot early in September, with the late summer rains hopefully hitting about mid-month. Fires are a real issue. Have lots of plan B areas scouted and pay attention to the real-time fire maps online as the summer progresses. Have a plan to deal with your meat in the heat.

The lighter parts in the west and south of the zone which you see on Google Earth are essentially all private farm land. Use your eScouting to find public land or corporate timber land. Some timber companies require a permit and some do not. You will have to identify them and go to their websites to figure that out.

That was super helpful, thank you for taking the time to write it.

 

[TheTone]

Yes I got a Palouse A tag and will be hunting Idaho for first time. Just trying to pick a few brains out there, not burn spots. 2600 Mile drive and starting the e scouting already

It’s a really tough zone that has seen archery pressure increase like crazy in the last decade. Don’t expect to find any secret spot you will have to yourself and fully anticipate other hunters messing up your hunts. There are elk but don’t expect to find big groups or crazy rut activity. If you find a group of ten on public that’s a good size herd.

 

[Iceman2010]

It’s a really tough zone that has seen archery pressure increase like crazy in the last decade. Don’t expect to find any secret spot you will have to yourself and fully anticipate other hunters messing up your hunts. There are elk but don’t expect to find big groups or crazy rut activity. If you find a group of ten on public that’s a good size herd.

Beats sitting in NY, appreciate the level set. I did not go this year and regretted it