Hunting in Idaho

[learningman]

Hey I'm going to be moving to SW Idaho the end of May and am curious how the hunting is in that part of thr world. I will be moving to Boise (can't wait) for a job my wife landed. What kind of info can you guy's give me? Thanks, and happy hunting.

 

[RJS34]

Depends on what type of hunting you want to do. Upland game used to be a lot better than it is right now mainly because of development. Not saying you can't find areas to hunt but its a lot less. Chukar has been good the last few years. As far as big game goes you have a lot of options available in regards to public land. Of course the harder you are willing to work the less people there will be but I believe Idaho has the most public land hunting available compared to any other western state.

Idaho does not have a points system which is good IMO. There are a lot of over the counter mule deer hunting areas and good chances to draw at least a cow elk every year in a non-trophy unit. Those can be pretty tough.

 

[learningman]

I mostly hunt deer and elk with the occasional bear hunt. I've never been a big bird hunter. I also like to hunt varmints so hopefully there's some of those around as well.

 

[tmajors]

In the Boise area expect to drive about one to two hours for decent hunting. As RJS34 said development has really caused some of the areas to disappear.

I used to hunt dove less then a mile from my parent's house, now the place has about 400 homes on it. Used to hunt pheasant about 20 miles from my house, the farms are now houses.

Birds are still out there, but just gotta go further for them. The Idaho side of Brownlee, the Bruneu area, and out by the Owyhee mountains are still good for Chukar as development is still really sparse out there.

Not much of a duck or goose man so couldn't say there.

For big game I've drawn for cow elk and doe deer controlled hunts every year I've put in and most of the time come home with one. Haven't ever tried for buck or bull cause more interested in the obscene amounts of steak and jerky in my freezer then a dead animal head on my wall.

Moose, Cougar, Antelope, Bear, Goat, and Sheep also available for big game but never tried.

You can get to some big game areas in under a 2 hour drive, but so does everyone so your better off making a 3 to 4 hour drive to get away from everyone else.

FISHING though is where it's at. Boise River that runs right through town is stocked year round and even has steelhead stocked. Off the top of my head there is roughly 10 to 15 ponds around with bass and bluegill. Three major lakes in less then 2 hour drive with several smaller ones available. More if you want to head out for the weekend.

 

[tmajors]

I also like to hunt varmints so hopefully there's some of those around as well.

Yea we got PLENTY of them, go nuts, shoot all you want, they'll make more

 

[eliphalet]

Drop me a pm once you get all moved. I used to Live in Boise but it has grown so much I avoid the place, and have killed plenty of deer less than a hour from the capital, even in todays traffic. The foothills are being developed so it's not as good as it once was. Any way, once your here and have learned your way around a bit give me a holler.

 

[learningman]

Many thanks! Will do.

 

[Leanwolf]

Learningman, you'll have to have been a Resident for six months before you can buy a Resident hunting/fishing license. It's determined by the date you got your Idaho Driver's License, or, the date you began your utilities at your Idaho home, i.e., electricity, gas, water, etc.

Therefore, if you move here at end of May, you won't be able to hunt on a Resident ticket until Dec. Of course, when Fall arrives, if you want to hunt elk, Mule or Whitetail deer, Black bear, Mountain lion, upland game and birds, or fish, you'll still be able to hunt on a Non-Resident license. It'll just be kinda pricey.

If you want to hunt upland birds, it REALLY HELPS to have a good hunting dog.

I just mailed in my application for a controlled Bull Moose drawing. Odds are not good, but if I were to get lucky, it is fairly easy to harvest a Moose, so long as one will work a bit.

Good luck on your move.

L.W.