Idaho Unit 75 Moose

[gknutson]

It looks like I drew a NR tag for unit 75 bull moose. This will be my first moose hunt. I was hoping to get some input on when I should plan my trip. We have been looking at Oct. 1st.ish. Will this be the best time to catch the rut ?

My 2 hunting buddies are going with me and were planning on hunting a week and a emergency return trip is not out of the question. Were planning to go DIY with a packer being the only exception.

Any input on the unit,timing, or hunting Shiras in general are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[MtnWest]

Oct 1 is a good time. Rutting action and no horde of deer hunters. However, they can move a lot looking for cows then and the leaves aren't off the trees yet making them harder to glass.

I think all three seasons have their merits and I'll be hunting them again myself on my dad's tag this fall. Early season you can find them in a smaller range, later you can call them in but the more I hunt them the more I like the late season. Big black bodies, no leaves and some snow make for good times.

One tip- contrary to popular belief they are not standing in ponds all day. Up high in the conifers or nasty thick brush is where they like to hang as well.

I haven't been in 75 so I'm of no help as far as spots. Good luck on your hunt, should be an epic trip. How far away are you coming from?

 

[gknutson]

Thanks for the info MtnWest. We are coming from Southern Oklahoma. Google maps say 19h 20min. What unit will you be hunting in ? Thanks again.

 

[MtnWest]

Good for you getting a tag. I've got inlaws over the red river in N. Texas. I'll actually be next door across the road in 76-1. Here is a picture from an adjacent unit to yours around Oct 1, you're in for a treat.

 

[gknutson]

Awesome. I'll stay in touch and we might run into you depending on timing.

 

[ardrhi]

There are a lot of good areas in Unit 75. I had a very hard time deciding between the unit I drew and 75. Ultimately it came down to Unit 75 being twice the drive from my house (30 minutes instead of 15) and usually slightly lower drawing odds. I don't know of any special hot spots in 75, but there also aren't any areas that I would say couldn't have a good bull on any given day.

MtnWest's advice is sound. Even a big black moose can be hard to spot until the leaves fall, so don't give up on an area that looks good even if you've been there a dozen times and never found a moose before. They may be big and black, but they blend right into the shade of a maple tree most of the day.
I've seen a lot of moose, but I'm not sure I've ever found one standing out in a beaver pond. I'm sure it happens, but you'll have more luck if you pay attention to the places where they spend the other 95% of their day. They are likely to be close to water, but that isn't a sure thing. Any thick, tall deciduous patch is worth glassing several times. Aspen, chokecherry, elderberry, etc. provide both food and shade.

 

[MtnWest]

ardrhi- sent you a pm