Idaho Hunt

Me and a few buddies are looking at doing a hunt up in the very northern part of Idaho (cabins 10 miles from Canada) October 2019. We'll be chasing black bear, wolves and potentially elk on public land.

All but one of us is a complete novice to this type of hunting in the back country. For some of you guys that have experience in this type of hunting, what are some things that are must haves before leaving camp into the mountains? I'm trying to space out my purchases between now and then. We will be returning back to the cabin every night.

TIA

In no particular order of importance...
Rifle
Baby wipes

In October that far north weathtet plays a huge part in your planning. I wouldn't be of much help as I bow hunt in September much further south in Colorado.

Couple things are certain don't skimp on boots. I run about the cheapest boots I would try and get away with and they are Cabela's meindl brand.
Hydration...
Backpack.

Even if your planning on returning to the cabin every night I would leave the cabin prepared for a night in the mountains. We bivy hunt so everything on our back and in for days on end. I'd be nervous going into the mountains with only a days worth of food no bag etc.

Check out rokslide. They pretty much rule the western big game stuff. Lots of how toos pack list gear reviews.

Northern Idaho is thick and wet.

Plan on good rain gear. If you wear an 11.5 W boot there is a really good deal on some lowa bighorns that would be perfect in the classifieds. Good boots are expensive, not mandatory but if you fall in love with it and it becomes an every year deal, it makes it easier spending the extra money for top of the line boots.

Camofire is a good site for good close out deals. First lite current has some close outs also.

Clothing is simple. Wool and polyester/nylon
Base layer(shirt and pants)- wool
Mid layer-pants and pull over(I like fleece hoodies) or soft shell
Exterior layer-(rain gear)
It’s colder then expected- down or synthetic puffy. If you get down make sure it’s treated for water repellency
Gloves- I like liners and oversized mittens
Socks- wool not the ultra thick’s that grandpa wore.

Don’t get hung up on Camo. I like solid colors, plus you can wear it other places.


Now gear wise-
Gamebags
Knife
TP
Headlamp X2 and batteries
Snacks
Water tablets or steripen
Fire starter,
Emergency Bivy
Compass or Simple backtrack.

Oct in Idaho especially norther can leave baby wipes frozen... from experience

Frozen baby wipes in time of need sounds like a really really bad experience

Absolutely ducknbass on the food/water. I want to be able to stay put if we need to one night at least if we find a herd of elk. What would be the minimum on optics that you guys recommend? I have a .308 Norma from great grandpa I'm planning on using but need to get a scope for it. I'm also lacking in the bino department. Mine are pretty rough from years of riding on the dash scouting ducks and geese.

Yeah but won't they thaw upon application?

8x42 or 10x42 roof prism binocular from Leupold or Nikon should be fine.

All good advice above, I have hunted black bear there in the spring but not the fall so it was not as cold. I prefer a good zoom scope in a higher power range with a 30mm tube and large objective lens, no lees than 44mm and prefer a 50mm, for better field of view and light gathering. 6 x 18 -50 or such. I suggest a spotting scope on a light portable tripod in addition to the binos for glassing off of ridges long distances, it can save a lot of walking and can spot game in the brush quite well.
Be prepared to surprise moose in the small clearings back in the woods, scared the hell out of me the first time I walked up on one. It was in the spring and they were calving so it might not be a problem in the fall.

There are also a few grizzly bears up north, make sure you can tell the difference. I found some tracks when I was there, big huge claw marks raised the hair on the back of my head when I saw them.

Unless you can’t get them out of the package .

Yelp vortex, leupold, Nikon and even Maven

Good luck

Good advice above. It’s beautiful country up there. Don’t scrimp on boots that fit, layer up, have good lightweight rain gear on you always, stay hydrated, and let good optics do their work.

Most of all - hunt hard but take time to enjoy just being there. Good luck!

Don't ever leave the cabin without a space blanket and multiple lighters in the event you get lost and have to spend the night in the mountains.

Public land is going to be over run with hunters. Most will be running up and down the roads all day long, and those with four wheelers will be on the trails, or making new ones. The animals that survive opening day will head up as high as they can get, and as far away from the roads as possible. To be successful in Idaho, you need to be as far away from all the other hunters as the animals will be.

I hunt public land in Idaho every year. 70% of the state is public. Buy OnX maps and load it on your GPS so you know exactly where you are as far as private or public.

Great advice on boots. Get a backpacking or mountaineering boot. Zamberlan is what I where. Lowa is another great boot. Plan on spending at least $300 on boots and break them in before you go. Socks make a big difference. Don’t wear the cotton socks your used too. Buy wool socks. Darn tough what I wear

My property is in the mid pan handle area. Very little cell service

Close to Canadian border is Canadian cell service. Don’t plan on having cell

Look into a SPOT locator. For emergency. Also let’s your wife know your ok every day with no cell