Elk hunt in Gospel Hump Wilderness

[rainman]

A buddy and I are planning a backpack hunt for Elk in Idaho for 2010.  Would appreciate info on whether nonresidents can buy tags over the counter and if Bowhunter Ed certification or Hunter Education is required.

Thanks,
Dan

[nurayb]

You need hunters ed and bowhunter ed and I am pretty sure it is over the counter.

[Ray_G]

Dan,

For 2009, there is a quota on tags in the Selway Zone for elk.  Unit 19 where the Gospels are, is a part of that zone.  Quotas are due to wolf predation and lack of recruitment of elk calves or not meeting the bull to cow ratios.  None of the 2009 tags are for archery, only.  They are General Season (any weapon) acccording to the 2009 regulation book.  Most of the time, non-resident tags sell out before the season.  It is hard to say what 2010 will bring.

As far as Hunter Education, here is what I copied from the regs book:

Hunter Education
• To buy a hunting license, all hunters must show proof that they have completed a hunter education course if they were born on or after January 1, 1975, unless they have held a hunting license from Idaho or another state.

• To buy an archery permit, all bowhunters must possess a valid hunting license and show proof they have completed an approved bowhunter education course or show evidence of having been licensed for an archery-only hunt in Idaho or another state, or complete an affidavit to that
effect.

If you haven't been there, here is the online version of the rules for 2009.
 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/

PM me if you want more info.

Ray

[Big'n]

May not be any elk left in the Gospel Hump by 2010.  I hope there is but like I tell my buddies back east. If you're gonna come out here for elk, you'd better get on with it. It's not gonna get any better.

The wolves are destroying our elk herds! So come a runnin.

[Big'n]

I just read my post and realized what a negative nelly I sound like.

 I'm sorry Dan, I don't mean to be a pessimist but I really don't think folks back east understand how bad the wolf predation is getting in areas of ID and MT. The Hump, the Frank Church and the West Fork of the Bitterroot are some of the hardest hit areas.

If I can help make your hunt a successful one please let me know as I know some fellas who hunt that area. Goodluck and God Bless. Dave

[rainman]

Thanks Dave I will be in contact.

Dan

[rainman]

ttt

[Overspined]

WOW, I know the wolves can be fierce predators but really, is that true? Could they possibly be eating that many elk? Are they grey wolves? We have them here in MI (grey wolves), and folks blame a deer decline on them, but their population growths kind of mirrored the increase in liberal hunting permits for does in the past years. I know it is unsure how much they really do here.

[Steven Russell]

Be sure and look at what part of the gospel hump you want to go to and check the regs because different parts of it are in different units and zones and thus have different regs.  I've hiked the hump some but have never hunted there so I can't give any first hand experience other than terrain.