Getting Physical on Big Game Hunting Physically-fit hunters have a much better chance of tagging a trophy in mountainous country than hunters who are not physically fit. That was my grand epiphany after my first week of elk and deer hunting in Idaho—having moved here from flat land. My sentiments echo those of Walt Prothero, who in his book, Mule Deer Quest, opens the section on “Getting Ready” with, “I view physical conditioning as the most important aspect of getting ready [to hunt deer in the West].” I couldn’t agree more. February 24, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Happy Presidents’ Day Kids today are getting short-changed! When I was a kid we had 2 days off from school in February: one for Lincoln’s Birthday, and then another just 10 days later for Washington’s Birthday. That was great for me, because the holidays coincided with tobogganing season. Now there’s just one national holiday in February, which pays respect to all of our nation’s presidents. February 17, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Idaho wilderness hunts, Public Land, Wilderness Area 0 0 Comment Read More »
Cougar and Wolf Hunting in Idaho Cougar and wolf seasons are currently open in much of Idaho, and will remain open in Units 27 and 28 until June 30, when the seasons close along with spring bear season. Cougar and wolf are exceedingly difficult species to take, especially without the use of dogs or bait, and taking one as such is considered a pinnacle of hunting achievement. February 10, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Lion Hunts, Wolf Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Idaho OTC Elk Tags: Hurry or Be Left Out There is no other state in the Western US comparable to Idaho when it comes to providing you the opportunity to go elk hunting every year, using OTC (over-the-counter) tags. However, as controlled-hunt tags in neighboring states become increasingly difficult to draw, the demand for Idaho OTC tags has been increasing also. An example of this is the nonresident Salmon B elk tags, which sold out this year in just 3 days (Dec. 1–3, 2019), and resident tags sold out within a week of that. February 3, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Today Is the Last Day of Phase 1 in Planning Your 2020 Hunts The application deadline for Wyoming controlled-hunt elk tags is at the end of today, January 31st. I’m sure at least some of you remember the days when the only planning you did for an elk tag was stopping by the hardware store to buy it on the way to camp. Sadly, those days are fading fast. January 31, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Elk Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »