Idaho Elk Unit 61 - late Muzzle Loader hunt - East or West side

[Chromanz]

Hey there
Drew the Idaho island park unit 61 late muzzle loader elk tag. This is an either sex elk tag. Start 11/11-12/9 End.
I’m looking to get advice on which area to focus on. East or West side of the Highway?
I’ve spent time fishing the creeks and driving the roads but never hunted the area. I live in idaho a few hours away. I saw elk on the road to Henry’s lake laying in someone’s yard a few months back before I drew the tag. That’s the only elk I’ve seen in that unit lol.
I’m hoping the snow can push the elk down from the higher grounds after the rut, or they stream out of the park after the snow? Get em all on private property and knock on 1 door, it could be that simple.
Hey I bet we find out!
I also drew a turkey tag and deer tag in Idaho, closer to my home base.
I’ll expect to purchase a wolf tag and have the appropriate ordnance for that situation.
Any tips or advice on this unit is appreciated. I hope to meet some new folks and make the memories of a lifetime hunting. That’s why I hunt, for the adventure and the chance to tame the great beast of the wild.

I’ve had great info and contacts on HT before.
Thank you HT

 

[typhoon916]

What kind of ML are you running for Idaho ?

 

[Chromanz]

CVA Optima 50 Cal
I harvested a bull moose in 2021 in unit 60A with that weapon. I love that gun, it’s my go to short range weapon. I have the matching CVA pistol also, no kills with that…yet

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

i had that tag a few 5-7 years back,,be prepared for deep snow,i hunted both sides of the hwy and seen more moose than elk,,mainly remember a 4 foot+ drift pushed up by hwy dept when i got out to the main hwy,almost hood deep,,and had snowmobilers wondering how i was in there with my truck and camp trailer,,take chains for all 4,,either side of hwy could produce,,i didnt get one that trip/good luck

 

[typhoon916]

CVA Optima 50 Cal
I harvested a bull moose in 2021 in unit 60A with that weapon. I love that gun, it’s my go to short range weapon. I have the matching CVA pistol also, no kills with that…yet

Awesome.. So that means I could use a 209 primer ?

 

[Chromanz]

No 209 primer allowed in Idaho

 

[typhoon916]

Okay .. How are you igiting the powder then . If it's a cva

 

[Matthew57]

You'd need something like this to convert it to musket cap ignition.

CVA™ Northwest Conversion Kit - Muzzleloader NW Musket Cap Conversion Set - AC1697

CVA™ Muzzleloader Northwest Conversion Kit - AC1697 - Converts 209 CVA Rifles to Northwest Musket Cap Ignition. Replacement firing pin set for your Northwest primer ignition. Best Prices, Fast Shipping & Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

 

[typhoon916]

You'd need something like this to convert it to musket cap ignition.

CVA™ Northwest Conversion Kit - Muzzleloader NW Musket Cap Conversion Set - AC1697

CVA™ Muzzleloader Northwest Conversion Kit - AC1697 - Converts 209 CVA Rifles to Northwest Musket Cap Ignition. Replacement firing pin set for your Northwest primer ignition. Best Prices, Fast Shipping & Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

Awesome thanks .. that means I cud still use my bh209

 

[Matthew57]

Awesome thanks .. that means I cud still use my bh209

No, that wouldn’t be the case because if you read the blackhorn label you need a 209 primer to ignite it. Musket caps are not recommended. You’ll need to use a different powder.

 

[typhoon916]

No, that wouldn’t be the case because if you read the blackhorn label you need a 209 primer to ignite it. Musket caps are not recommended. You’ll need to use a different powder.

Ya your right on that .. what about triple 7 then

 

[Matthew57]

Ya your right on that .. what about triple 7 then

That’s an option.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

777 is ok in idaho i believe,,open powder and #11 cap is what i use,but i dont have a cva

 

[typhoon916]

777 is ok in idaho i believe,,open powder and #11 cap is what i use,but i dont have a cva

Thanks just in case I wanna go there with a ML

 

[BAKPAKR]

We went through there just before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Based on the trails we saw, I bet driving up and down Route 20 would give Norris Road a run for its money.

 

[Alex n]

I think the East side you'll have better odds, the elk on the west side migrate to the desert to st anthony, and there's not much public land on the valley floor to the border unit 60. I drew the late season rifle hunt last year in that unit

 

[Wyhunter]

I used 777 in Idaho with musket caps. Worked great on my elk hunt. I wish wyoming had a traditional ML season.

 

[Wyhunter]

I also had that tag about 7 years ago. Only saw a few elk and they were all on the western side. That was a long time ago, though.

 

[Dwilli]

CVA Optima 50 Cal
I harvested a bull moose in 2021 in unit 60A with that weapon. I love that gun, it’s my go to short range weapon. I have the matching CVA pistol also, no kills with that…yet

I have a muzzleloader tag also, I have a CVA western 50 calb. uses musket caps, drilled breech plug for loose powder only. I use 777 with power belt bullet. I am also looking at the areas of which side to hunt. I have hunted east side before.

 

[Chromanz]

I’m starting the hunt opening day and I’ll be there all week in island park. I’m going to focus on the west side of 20 near the park boundary as a start. I got some other areas I want to see on the west side of the unit out by hwy15. I’ll have a second week off work to hunt once the snow falls and pushes elk down. All I need is a little luck.