Moving to Idaho

[Zbearclaw]

It is a ever-increasing possibility that a year from now I will be moving my family to Boise, ID.

I know the hunting there is great compared to Kalistan, however I don't really know anyone that hunts there yearly.

What do I need to know that I can't find out through research?

How long does it take to establish residency for hunting there.

What is the best thing about huting ID?

thanks

[clayton95]

I moved to Boise 2 years ago for school from Washington. There is a lot of opprotunity to hunt but there are a lot of people around Boise who hunt so it can get crouded close to town.  If you can get away from the people then there is a lot of good opportunity.  You just have to be willing to drive a ways.  It is hard for me with school starting right before hunting season but I can at least get out a little.

It takes six months to get residency.

I would say the best part is that there is almost always a season for some type of big game from spring until the end of the year.  And when there isn't something to hunt the fishing is great.

The Idaho Traditional Bowhunters is here in Boise and puts on a few events a year so you can meet some people.

Let me know if you need any other info.  You can check the DFW website for more info on seasons and rules.  Here is a link (if it works)  http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

[Ray_G]

Z,

The link Clayton gave you will get you to the Idaho Fish & Game website where you will find most of your answers.  Residency is 6 months prior to the license purchase or application for draws.  Here is the page link:  http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/fees/resrequirements.cfm

From Boise, you have tons of opportunity.  Spring: turkeys and bear, variety of varmints; Summer: bow fishing; end of Summer through Fall / Winter: elk, deer (whitetail & mule), bear, antelope, turkey, mountain lion and small game.  There are limited draw hunts for Shiras moose, California and Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and mountain goat.  Depending upon which species that you are hunting, you can get to good hunting for any of these in four hours or less.  There is a lot of opportunity in less travel time than four hours.

The main thing is to get away from the roads.  I have hunted some areas South of my place where I didn't run into another person all day.  A large percentage of the land in Idaho is federally managed, so you have options.

Idaho Traditional Bowhunters  http://idahotraditionalbowhunters.com/index.htm  meets at the Boise Cabelas the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.  It would be a good place to start once you get here.  Best wishes on your move.

[Eric S]

I don't know what you could't find through research but if you need help feel free to pm me for my phone number and I will help you the best I can.                    


Good Luck

[Zbearclaw]

I was kinda looking for the "hunt wilderness areas only" or the like tips that fish and game won't point out.

I often hunt in Ca with my bow during rifle and usually figure 5+ miles equals I am not in someone else's scope.

I usually do a few or three 5-10 day hunts solo backpacking the whole time.

I knew the spring bear and am very excited about that as OR is a hit or miss, but hadn't thought of whitetail, lions, or sheep.

[Brian Krebs]

There is a lot of wilderness in Idaho; and if you go way back into it; you will likely run into some real rich guys that flew into an airstrip and are being guided on hunts.
 There is the fact that a lot of Idahoans own horses; and ride back into the wilderness areas; and sometimes you can find more hunters way back in; than about 2 or 3 miles in.
 Hunting for elk in the back country; if you get one down- you have to get it out. If you fail to get it out; you can and probably will be charged with a crime - and you can loose your hunting 'privileges' for a dozen other states ( or more).
  You can loose meat on an elk overnight if it lays on the ground- the ground warmed from the sun ...combined with the heat of the body of the elk.. it can spoil part of the meat.
 If you find the elk fast; then you have to get it to a cooler. An elk quarter weighs about 70 pounds.
 My son shot an elk this year; a cow elk; and he left me one hind quarter; and the neck. He cut off the back straps; and took the rest to the butcher...the amount he turned in- minus one hind leg; the neck and the backstraps?
 304 pounds.
That is why the back country guys have either friends to help carry an elk out; or they have pack animals to do the work ( provided the elk dies in a place you can get a pack animal).
  Or they have an outfitter that has pack animals; and/or a landing strip.
 
 I have found elk in places where I knew that there was no way to get them out before they spoil; and you really have to plan a hunt around that.

 Keep in mind; you can scout out an area; off season; and then when you go back in to hunt it; it can be a small city. Wall tents go up; hunters ride in; and yeah- I have done it and loved it.

  I have seen hot weather here in hunting season; and snow the next day- then hot weather the next.
  My sons friend ran into a rattlesnake in November.

 Good thing is there are no 'no trespassing' signs in the wilderness.

 Things were tolerable before the wolves; and may be again; now that there is a season on them; and now that they are bothering livestock and being shot in good numbers by the fish and game and the fish and wildlife service.  

 Here is a reality- I live in elk wintering ground; and the other day I studied a group of 100 elk on the river below my cabin.
 None had antlers. I counted 100 as I mentioned; and I tried to count the number of calves in the group.
 The elk were walking; and it was not easy; but I had a long time to study them; and I could not count 10 calves in the group.
 Look at the stats on cow calf ratios in other states; and you get an idea of what is happening here.
 And really- save rife elk season - elk are starting to figure out that the safest place is close to roads; where there are guys with rifles; and shovels; and closed mouths.
 They know what the wolves have done; and the elk feel safe around humans until rifle season opens.

 We lost a game meat processor last year; and this year the remaining processors had the worst year they have ever had. People that last year said they were not coming back here to hunt- did not. People that had been taking elk and had been coming here from all over the country for 30 years- are not coming back.

 Oh- there is opportunity. There is a chance- and a fairly reasonable one for cow elk- and if you know  a 'hidey hole' where there are bulls - you can connect.

 There is one well known bowhunter that always finds good bulls; and good deer; and is a great photographer- but he hunts federal ground surrounded by private land. He gets permission to cross the private land and does real well.

  Look at the outfitter websites. You will see bulls taken in progressively smaller size; and then after 2006 - few if any photos.

  But there is a chance. There is a chance you will throw the dice and get a controlled hunt for moose; or goats; or bighorns.

 But you will burn a lot of calories figuring out the hidey holes - and figuring them out before the wolves do.

 Bleak ? yes.  Is there hope? We will see. The forest service is coming up with a new road plan. It is to be announced next month.
 But there is no real way to enforce the existing laws. The forest service has no idea how to enforce new rules.
 
 As noted by someone else; you must escape the atv crowd; the 'I will go where ever I #amn well please' crowd. They are made up of people that can and do ruin many many peoples hunts every year; breaking the law the whole time they do it.

 Best bet? To hunt the wilderness; go in less than three miles; and more than one. That leaves the wounded knee; puffing crowd behind. And the guys with horses and mules are not going just go that far- so your in kind of a hidey hole area.

 Then before you move here - keep in mind that the fish and game is about to do their game counts; and seasons and opportunities your looking at now- may not exist for the next five years.

 It is sad- but in my opinion; the 'don't rock the boat' crowd: did not notice the boat was leaking.

 I have lived here since 1985 - and hunted each year - spring and fall. It may come back; but there is a lot of work to do- to get there.

 But - hey - it can be done. There are animals here.