I want to backpack in and can work hard but I want a DIY only hunt.
Basically I just want to know if there are any units I would not be able to hunt DIY on foot.
Outdoordan's Link
Don, if you need scouting, we can provide. I would suggest a scouting service as the hills are tall, and the goats are spread out.
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Your biggest challenge will be drawing the tag. Access and the physical demand is no biggie here in Idaho. Idaho is certainly no Alaska, BC, or Colorado for that matter.
Idaho has the biggest wilderness areas in the lower 48's. Idaho has arguably some of the steepest, roughest country around.
Some hunts are very remote and difficult and some hunts you can see goats from the road.
One F&G person was incredibly helpful, however the head trophy species guy was an a-hole. It was obvious to us he didn't want us to succeed. We did...although we did get some help from a local guide. I drew bighorn the same year (which we did DIY) yes, we were very lucky, but it really made things tough from a transportation and scouting aspect doing two trophy species in one year.
Know that the goat country in some Idaho units can be very, very unforgiving and tough to hunt. Scouting is tough with the goats too high to see above the timber and bedded (re: hidden) during the warmer, sunny portions of the day. Road access can be nonexistent.
For DIY persistence and lots of time to scout and hunt is the key. Be in the best shape of your life.
I am starting to get annoyed by some bio's/wardens not helping. Do not get me wrong, many guys do but some act put out. One thing I have been thinking about is I keep calling around in WY and many places I laeve messages says they cannot call back long distance. This is making me salty, in no way do I blame a underpaid game warden from not returning tons of long distance calls on their dime. I do blame the G&F, they make a LOT of money off the NR and they cannot allocated funds to return calls?
WY gets 1 million dollars from NR for sheep points alone, this is without tag fees, just point fees! I spend over $350 just to apply in WY and cannot get a return call?
...kinda like callin' "Huntin' Fool" and sayin you want to hunt DIY.
...it'll be a short conversation.
But Utah's application ends on 3-3-2011 so hurry if you haven't already got it done.
Have a good bowhunt. BB
I would not go to ANY head of ANY division of ANY company to get specifics as they deal in generalisms.
You have to go to the field bioligist of the unit you are hunting.
You also have to have the ability to sweet talk info from people.
I drew a Moose tag when I was at BSU a long time ago. I found the right biologist and she monitored the Moose movements in the area I was hunting and the week before my hunt she told me of a problem Moose in the area.
I took care of that problem.
She is not the only biologist who has helped me. You just have to figure out how to speak to them.
What usually works is to say you have a couple areas you are looking at and get their opinion. People like to be given the opportunity to share their knowledge rather than do all the work for you.
Not everyone is helpful but that's the same anywhere!
Either way, good luck!
P.S. It may take some extra miles to go around some Private land, but I would say EVERY Mt. Goat Unit is accessible for you. If your willing.
Bill
