Three of us attempted to draw Idaho tags this year, my brother and I got our 3rd choice and were able to hunt together. Our other friend Dave got the first choice and had to hunt alone. We missed him.
We had a little more luxury this year, as my brother decided to drive out his camper.
Here a spatchcocked Cornish hen is nestled in a dutch oven with potatoes.
We had a few areas scout via maps and hoped to get into elk. We were hunting the unit we had hunted numerous times before in the early 2015-2017 time period with the same scenario. Elk were there but there were not many and there was lots of pressure.
Some fresh sign finally after the first (and last) move of camp.
Here is a large shed I found one morning hiking up the mountain.
My only chance to fill a tag was on a pair of black bears I walked up on. I was worried they were cubs with mom, so I only took photos, but looking back they were full grown and on their own.
My brother had an opportunity on a spike bull, but missed at approximately 45 yards. I only see ears in the photo, but he says it had a velvet ball on one side and spike on the other.
I never saw elk until the last full day of the hunt. I was climbing the mountain and glanced over to see two cows feeding near the top meadow. I went after them and got above them, but not knowing how close I was to them, one caught me sneaking at around 20 yards and crashed away. The thick brush prevented me from even seeing them close.
At the same time my brother was into a mature bull. He was within 60-70 yards, but could not get close enough. He tried some calling but the bull paid them no heed and wandered away. I tried to close and did some bugling but it was not meant to be.
The clip below shows the fine bull my brother could only close to 60 yards from.
Oh so close!
It was another fine trip and try at elk. Maybe next year will be lucky as it will be my 15th try for them.
