Author Topic: Looking for Elk/bear info (Read 1071 times)

Hefner · « **on:** January 23, 2011, 11:02:19 PM »

I'm moving Boise from TX in the summer. I'm excited about being able to elk hunt, but not sure about a few things.
I have a Navy Arms 45/70 bolt action (Enfield style) I know the caliber is plenty for elk and bear, but I'm not sure about using it for long shots due to accuracy and scope limitations. What are the average distances for shots on elk and bear...if there are any? Also, I'm planning on hunting around the Idaho City area, but I'm not sure if there are better places within a few hours of Boise (as in public land, not specific spots). I considered driving to Stanley or even the Salmon area if it would be a lot better hunting. Thanks.

fj40mojo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2011, 09:02:32 AM »

Having lived in Idaho and hunted here for the past almost 30 years, I'm thinking you are going to want something that reaches a little farther and shoots a lot flatter. Just sayin that opportunities for shots on elk are limited and you will be severely limiting yourself.

Hefner · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:50:32 AM »

That's what I was afraid of, but it would be stretching my bank for another gun right now. The only other rifles I have are a .222 and a .243, so I'm probably stuck with the 45/70 this coming up season. What about bear? It seems like those are usually taken consistently closer, from what little I know about it.

MarkinIdaho · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:13:50 AM »

I would echo what fj has to say. Close range on either, you would be fine. But further out, I'd want a .270 or my favorite 30-06. Yes, bear you usually get a bit closer to. As to buying a rifle, you can find pretty good deals on used rifles here, really. Check out zidaho.com for one. I picked up my latest '06 for $300 used at Cabelas on a fluke (wasn't looking, but saw it and, well, decided it needed to come home with me). Your .243 would work fine if you wanted to chase mule deer.

There are a lot of bear up around Idaho City. There used to be some good elk areas, but the wolves have taken care of that problem. The ones that are still up there are pretty wary. Don't bother with the Stanley area - the Sawtooth hunting area is one of the hardest hit by the wolves. The elk are still around, but they are a lot smarter. Don't bugle as much as they used to because of the wolf problem. I've heard, though, that there's still a decent population North of Weiser and Cambridge, over by the Oregon border. Again, that's hearsay. I haven't hunted that area.

If you are looking for a "meat" hunt, you might take a look at some of the controlled hunts for cow elk. Just go to the Idaho Fish and Game dept website for info. You can also checkout hunt stats for particular units and animals there. Where ever you go, expect to get off the roads and hike a couple of miles in to find good critters.

fj40mojo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:35:59 AM »

Quote from: Hefner on January 24, 2011, 10:50:32 AM

That's what I was afraid of, but it would be stretching my bank for another gun right now. The only other rifles I have are a .222 and a .243, so I'm probably stuck with the 45/70 this coming up season. What about bear? It seems like those are usually taken consistently closer, from what little I know about it.

Like Mark said, you can pick up a good used rifle for $300-$400 range, potentially with optics, check the on line classifieds and gun shops. .243 will be fine for whitetail or mule deer. As for bears, having had to eat the one my brother shot when we were kids, I have no idea why anybody would want to hunt them. Idaho doesn't require hunters to eat anything with "fang or claw" but really, bear tastes like ass.

MarkinIdaho · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:59:39 AM »

Quote from: fj40mojo on January 24, 2011, 11:35:59 AM

bear tastes like ass.

I don't want to know, ROFL! (Sorry, fj, you left yourself wide open on that one). Actually, the only time I ate bear was as breakfast sausage. I think it probably had enough spices in it to cover any nasty "ass" taste.

Hefner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:25:34 PM »

I may have to break down and get a rifle (as if that's a bad thing)...to be honest I'm spending most of my extra money on a bow, thinking I could pick up a good rifle next season. How powerful of a scope am I gonna need? I'm assuming a 3X9 is gonna be too small? All my hunting gear is for shooting within 100 yards since its so thick here.
As far as eating the bear...I'm living in Louisiana right now where EVERYTHING is food. I'm sure I've had worse ha And I'm thinking if these cajuns recipes I have are good for hogs (especially sausage) they'll be good for bear, too.

MarkinIdaho · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:34:02 PM »

As far as a scope goes, it depends on how much $$ you are going to want to spend. But, for what it's worth, for years, I used the old Weaver 4x that was put on my rifle by my grandfather in the late 1940's when it was his! Reticle is a bit thin, but it worked. My teenage boy is carrying that rifle now, and it still has the same old scope on it. I have an older Bushnell 4x that I will be putting on my current ''06 sometime this Summer.

Personally, I like open or peep sites. But my eyesight isn't what it used to be. I recently put a 3x9 Simmons on my mini-14 for varmits. I'm sure it will come in handy for longer shots...

fj40mojo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:39:33 PM »

Quote from: Hefner on January 24, 2011, 01:25:34 PM

I may have to break down and get a rifle (as if that's a bad thing)...to be honest I'm spending most of my extra money on a bow, thinking I could pick up a good rifle next season. How powerful of a scope am I gonna need? I'm assuming a 3X9 is gonna be too small? All my hunting gear is for shooting within 100 yards since its so thick here.
As far as eating the bear...I'm living in Louisiana right now where EVERYTHING is food. I'm sure I've had worse ha And I'm thinking if these cajuns recipes I have are good for hogs (especially sausage) they'll be good for bear, too.

3x9 will work just fine. Your chances at an elk with a bow is pretty good as those seasons are during the rut.

Leanwolf · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2011, 08:13:50 PM »

Here is a pre-welcome to Idaho, when you move. You said in the summer, so I don't think you will have lived here long enough to qualify for a 2011 Resident hunting license. A person has to have lived here six months before qualifying as a Resident.

Generally, rifle seasons for elk and deer open in October, so you'd have to have bought your Idaho driver's license, and established utilities by April 15th at the latest.

As for rifles, a .270 W., .280 Rem., 7mm-08, 7mm Mag., .308 W., or .30-06 would be sufficient for elk, deer, Black bear, antelope, etc. A good four or six power scope works just fine and they are rugged, too. Usually they do not cost as much as a good 3x9. I am a firm believer in good quality optics on a hunting rifle.

If you kill a Black bear, make sure to dress and skin it immediately. Hang the carcass in a good "deer bag," to cool and that way, the meat ought to taste just fine. It did on the two I've killed.

I've hunted the Stanley area for elk the past two seasons. No luck. A lot of cow elk in the Idaho City area, however.

L.W.

Hefner · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:10:07 PM »

I thought the bow would be a worthwhile investment after looking through the Idaho Fish and Game website. Plus several hunters in Idaho City basically said the same thing. I intended on getting an out of state license and just paying more. I assumed it was one full year of residency, I'll probably wait on the fishing license if that's the case. And thanks for the info on the scope, that's really what I needed to know. I'm glad I checked with y'all before going to Stanley. Seems like more hunters would participate in "coyote" hunting around there...maybe they do, IDK. I didn't know that about skinning bears, either, thanks. If I do a controlled hunt, I'm not allowed normal public hunts, right? As this point I'm hunting for meat and the experience; trophies will come later.

GrayWolf · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:36:08 PM »

Hefner...

One thing you might want to do - if you haven't already - is purchase topographic map software. I've got TOPO, which costs $49 and covers the entire state. Here's the link: http://www.natgeomaps.com/topo_idaho.

Here's the Amazon link if you want to buy it there: http://www.amazon.com/TOPO-National-Geographic-Topographic-Idaho/dp/1597750360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295933616&sr=8-1.

It's a lot more cost effective than buying individual topo maps, and has a fairly good range of GPS devices it's compatible for.

MarkinIdaho · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:09:47 PM »

Quote from: GrayWolf on January 24, 2011, 10:36:08 PM

Hefner...

One thing you might want to do - if you haven't already - is purchase topographic map software. I've got TOPO, which costs $49 and covers the entire state. Here's the link: http://www.natgeomaps.com/topo_idaho.

Here's the Amazon link if you want to buy it there: http://www.amazon.com/TOPO-National-Geographic-Topographic-Idaho/dp/1597750360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295933616&sr=8-1.

It's a lot more cost effective than buying individual topo maps, and has a fairly good range of GPS devices it's compatible for.

+1 Good program. If it's 49, that's a good buy. It wasn't that low when I bought it a few years back

Hefner · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:35:36 PM »

That's awesome. Someone must have told you about my terrible sense of direction ha Think I'll have to get that when I buy a GPS unit. Thanks.

Leanwolf · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2011, 04:51:53 PM »

Quote

HEFNER - " ... my terrible sense of direction ..."

Hefner, here is a suggestion. Instead of buying a GPS, if you're "terrible" on directions, I think you should buy a good compass and learn how to use it along with topo maps. A GPS can fail you but a compass won't ... if you know how to use it. Here in Boise, there are several stores that offer compass and orienteering classes. Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse, REI, etc., although they are varied as to when they are presented. You'd have to check with them.

Is there a sporting goods store, or perhaps mountaineering/hiking store where you live?? If so, maybe you could take a compass/map course there, and start practicing before you hit these mountains out here.

I have been out hundreds and hundreds of times in many areas and terrain, and although I have a GPS, I rarely use it. I am, however, NEVER without my compass and topo map, and overnight survival gear.

As I said, "a suggestion."

L.W.

Hefner · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2011, 05:33:02 PM »

I think that's a good suggestion. We have a Bass Pro here, they offer free classes quite a lot, so I'll look into that, thanks. Either way, I agree that that's gonna be an essential skill to know.

Havanagunner · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:16:56 AM »

You might want to go over to www.long rangehunting.com and check out their (Public land Boundary TOPO map for your GPS). I haven't used one yet, but the reviews look great.

dutch1911 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2011, 03:50:04 PM »

Hefner,
If I may...
A couple or three or so years ago I picked up a virtually new Remington 700 .300 Win Mag for 250.
The chap I bought it from knew his father had it for a couple of years and had never fired it beyond half a box of rounds.
He didn't care for the recoil. This was a BDL Custom Deluxe... very nice rifle and well worth far more.
I was patient, as I'm certain you will also be. I knew what caliber I wanted and base, had to go with a Remington 700 from experience with sniper rifles.
I spent some time on several other forums and posted on for Want To Buy with what I was looking for. Within a month I had the rifle in my hot little hands.
You have a lot of options there.
Shipping a rifle is no problem, the boys are buck horn are great and trustworthy.
Decide what you want, post it up and let others do the work for you.
Welcome to Idaho, from one transplant to another.

Cheers

Dutch1911
1/*

Nomad · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2011, 01:00:38 PM »

Idaho Fish and Game allows to hunt over bait with the proper tags and the bait.
The Regs has all the information you should need , if you have one call the local office.
Bear meat is good eating we hunt in the fall and in a country that has lots of blackberries in it.

ponder · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2011, 06:08:32 PM »

Your .45-70 will work just fine. Hunt with what you have. More bears are shot in cool, shaded timber than at any distance. I don't hunt them but I do see many. In most cases I wish they were a bit farther away. Many come in when predator calling. Hunt a cool valley with a creek. Hunt uphill. The wind is almost always coming down hill at first light. When you get tired, back track the exact same trail back to the truck. The wind is almost always coming up hill when the sun hits the canyon. The Idaho Atlas will be adequate for the first year. If you decide to get a Garmin GPS, I can download ten years of treks for you to follow from Banks to Grand Jean.

buckfynn · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2011, 08:47:04 PM »

Quote from: Hefner on January 24, 2011, 10:50:32 AM

That's what I was afraid of, but it would be stretching my bank for another gun right now. The only other rifles I have are a .222 and a .243, so I'm probably stuck with the 45/70 this coming up season. What about bear? It seems like those are usually taken consistently closer, from what little I know about it.

The .243 will work for black bear. I have used 80 gr. Core-Lok and 80 gr. TTSX in my Ruger # 1 .243 for black bear. I have bagged over a dozen black bear with a .243.

AR10ER · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2011, 08:23:13 PM »

Quote from: fj40mojo on January 24, 2011, 11:35:59 AM

Like Mark said, you can pick up a good used rifle for $300-$400 range, potentially with optics, check the on line classifieds and gun shops. .243 will be fine for whitetail or mule deer. As for bears, having had to eat the one my brother shot when we were kids, I have no idea why anybody would want to hunt them. Idaho doesn't require hunters to eat anything with "fang or claw" but really, bear tastes like ass.

That sir, depends on what they eat. I had a bear, that had the sweetest meat I have ever eaten. His belly was full of apples. If you hunt anywhere near a dump, the bear will taste like what you describe.

NoviceHunter · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:14:39 PM »

Between a .243 and a 45-70 for elk/bear/deer, I'd take the 243 for all of the above. The flatter shooting gun is just plain nicer in some of our terrain. Get a bullet that penetrates like all get out and kill stuff. A TSX will expand at >2000fps, and federal has an 85 grain loading that stays over that to 400 yards. Skip the quartering shots at that range, but none of the critters are wearing kevlar.