South East Idaho Bow Hunting

Six weeks from now. It seems so long to wait but hunters are already shooting in preparation for this years archery season which starts at the end of August. Although guns will not be firing, arrows will be in full flight from archers looking to put some meat in the freezer and put a rack on the wall.

For those new to the woods this year, hunting Idaho’s backcountry and hillsides can be unnerving to the first time bow hunter. You’re staring at open hillsides, sage filled flats or forests that many simply do not know how to hunt.

I have been in this situation and I know that every one of you have felt this way at some point in your hunting history. Staring at vast tracks of land and scratching your head saying to yourself “how am I going to hunt this”?

Pre-season scouting is a must if you are hunting new territory. When I hunt areas new to me I always make a few trips before hand looking for game trails, watering holes and of course animals. Finding open land is another important factor. Make sure that your hunt is on public land and not private land. This will end a hunt very quickly with either the landowner walking up to you or the law leading you away. Not a pretty sight either way.

For those of you that have not done any pre-season hunting due to work conflicts or other obligations, I’ll help you out with a few areas that I know offer good densities of deer with the opportunity of taking an elk also in Idaho.

The Bannock zone is a good bet and right here in my backyard. With deer populations on the rebound and a growing elk herd, hunters willing to put some time in might put both species in the freezer this season. The elk herd is not huge but like I said, it is growing. From Scout mountain all the way to Malad and the Utah border elk do call most of the timbered forest you see home. The bonus to hunting elk here is the opportunity to whack a buck or take a doe. The Bannock zone offers up some of the best deer hunting in this part of the state but is still recovering from the loss occurred during the early 1990’s winterkills.

If you are looking for deep forest hunts, beautiful scenery and even some fishing time. The Cub River and Oneida narrows in the Bear River zone cannot be beat. I have hunted this area for nearly 20 years and we have taken some nice bulls and plenty of deer from Preston all the way to Montpelier. Oh, and the trout fishing? You can’t beat rainbows or brookies fried up for dinner out of the two systems I mentioned above.

This can be a very tough and demanding hunt. Elk seem to be in decent supply as they are crossing over from Utah and also from the Soda Springs side. You won’t find elk in large herds here, but you will find elk running with a few animals in small pockets. I have covered scores of miles and still have not figured out where the elk hang out constantly. But, I have figured out where they cross and access points they use to get from one range to the next and this has led to meat in the freezer. Concentrate on bottlenecks, small areas where game has to cross, and you will up your odds this year. Deer hunters can expect fair to good hunting. Some of the biggest bucks in this states history have been harvested from this zone. You are going to have to get off the beaten trails in order to stick an arrow in one of these bad boys.

To me, hunting is not about the game. It is about whom you hunt the game with and the opportunity to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Although I do love Pocatello, I cannot wait to get away and into the wilderness at the drop of a hat. Enjoy your time a field and remember, by introducing some one new to the sport this year, you have not only gained a hunting partner but you also have passed down a time honored tradition that this country was built on which many seem to have forgot.

By: Dave Langston