Anyone know about 36B in Idaho?

[BDB]

We are headed out in 11 days and are pretty fired up. Our tags are good for 21, 21A and 36B. We had full plans on hunting 21 and 21A as we know the area from past trips but in looking at the stats, it's low hunter numbers and LOW archery success rates, average is about 7.5%. 36B on the other hand had something like 60 hunters and whopping 56% or so success rate. Now I know there has to be a story here. Is it all private land where the elk are killed for example? Looks like the 36B zone has a lot of Challis National Forest in it and is closer to Boise (where I fly into).

Anyway I was just wondering if anyone has any info on this zone and why the numbers are so drastically different with basically the same tag. Gotta be something!

 

[SoJo]

BDB, I have hunted 21 & 21A (last year and two years ago) - I know that area. I'm not too familar with 36B - I'll need to check my map. I hunted the other end near the town of Chalis itself...but I think that may still be in 21/21A. If I dig anything up I'll let you know. Btw, last year several large elk herds had moved close to the town of Chalis (mid-Oct) and I heard that some ranchers were offering trespass fees for $500-$1000...just an FYI. As you know there's the Idaho Fish & Game office right there in Salmon, you might want to give them a shout.

 

[SoJo]

I did some looking online at the Idaho F&G site...36B is in Chalis...there's a good BLM entrance right outside Chalis (left hand side) out on Hwy 93. That's the entrance you want to take...drive in about 10-20miles...there's some hard hiking, but quite a few folks go back in on some of the trailheads...the tend to skip the land going in and we shot 3 bucks on top of the first small ridges (one nice, tall 3x3 - it was a brute). I have a friend who hunts that area and they shot 3 bulls there last year. It gets pressure and if the weather sets in, those elk will come all the way down into Chalis. That BLM road goes back in almost 30-50miles. A lot of people drive way back in there, but they all come ruinning out when the weather hits --- it's been 6 or 7 years since I hunted there...as I mentioned, I've been mostly hunting out by Salmon and down around Lemhi & Tendoy. Those are decent areas for bucks, but your elk tag can't be used there as it a controlled hunt/draw. Btw, after you hunt your elk, you can get out into the lower flats and hunt mule deer..we saw quite a few folks killing bucks in the lower sage/grassy areas. Lastly, there's a campground right past the BLM entrance on teh lefthand side right next the Salmon River. Small campground and you'll only be 12miles from Chalis if you need supplies or a celebratory cocktail. You might also want to stop into the diner in Chalis and chat up the wait staff for any insight. They're pretty friendly.

 

[BDB]

Thanks for the info Sojo, much appreciated. We know the area we plan to hunt fairly well and have consistently seen elk. I was mainly just curious about 36B due to the huge success rates.

4 years ago we both took our bulls (rifle) in the first 3 days and then focused on deer. I have not been back since but the buddy I am going with has gone the last 2 years. He has passed on may bulls looking for a nice 6pt in the last 2 years. I"ll shoot the first non-calf elk that gets within range. I am fine with a cow (either sex archery tag) and then we can hunt together for my buddies bull. He has a deer tag but I have not bought one yet. I will wait and see. I can always stop at F&G and get one (assuming there are some left) after the first couple of days.

 

[SoJo]

BDB, you guys should have an awesome trip! My brother is going back to Idaho this year after the X7a opener. I drew my Wyoming elk tag so I'm passing on Idaho this year. As you know you can purchase an over the counter deer tag at a convenient store in Chalis vs having to go to F&G. Last time I bought mine was at a little Gas and food store almost 2/3rds the way through town.

GL ! Post pictures when u return!

 

[SoJo]

Btw, I see your lil one has a jersey ... Go SHARKS!

 

[BDB]

Haha, that is quite an old photo now!

We will be north of North Fork so the DFG office in Salmon is much closer than Challis. Definitely will be a blast and with any luck we'll fill a tag or 2.

 

[SoJo]

Gotcha! We stayed just outside Salmon last year (can't recall the road), but it was just past the Elk ranch/outfit on the left on hwy 93. Btw, we saw quite a few elk and deer taken out of 4th of July Road. Of course many of the elk were back in a few miles and the guys went in on horseback. If I can recall that road we camped off of I'll let you know --- the road forks (take the right) way back in 10miles or so to a gate -- we saw quite a bit of Elk sign in there, but we were late to the game. My nephew found a complete 6x6 shed just off the road.