Idaho Big Game Hunting
By Dave Halgerson, Broker, Licensed in ID, OR
When the topic of big game hunting property comes up, there are many visions regarding what the ideal terrain is and how many animals it may hold within its boundaries. For many people, the towering mountain scenery with snowcapped peaks gleaming in the distance comes to mind first.
In Idaho, that idyllic picture exists and can be very fruitful, but what big game hunters in this state realize is that some of the best big game hunting in North America can be found on the big, open benches of sagebrush country, bordering the timbered U.S. Forest Service land. This is the true breadbasket for elk and mule deer, and this is where you will find them every morning and evening in the fall.
At first glance, the animals can be very challenging to spot in these locales. Elk and deer are capable of hiding in the rolling topography in small gullies or washes that are tough to see from a distance. They rely heavily on the sage and brush for shade, particularly during the day, and it can be difficult to spot them in the shadows. I can attest to the many times we were nearly ready to write the afternoon off when suddenly, animals seemed to materialize out of nowhere, standing in full view when mere minutes before there was nothing there.
The private, sagebrush hills with tree-lined drainages are where you want to be to locate big, elusive deer and elk. Not only is this ideal habitat, but it also provides refuge for these animals when hunting pressure becomes significant on public lands. Be patient and vigilant and you will be rewarded. Happy hunting!
Connect with Dave Halgerson
Dave Halgerson is the Managing Broker in Idaho and also does extensive work in Oregon, specializing in large ranch and farm transactions along with recreational real estate, which includes hunting, fly fishing, and mountain properties since 2009. Located in Ketchum, Idaho, Dave has proven himself a top-producing broker, always working in the client's best interest. In the past few years, Dave has been credited with over $92.5M in sales and represents $49.8M worth of properties ranging from large working cattle ranches to farm grounds, and big game animals are a large part of each property. Dave loves the inherently interesting nature of significant land transactions and the unique challenges that come with them. Dave embodies the adventurous spirit he advocates, whether through hunting elk in the Pioneer, Boulder, and Sawtooth Mountains or fishing in the abundant trout streams in the region. Dave offers more than just real estate transactions; he provides a gateway to a life filled with passion and connection to the natural world.
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