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!

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