Hey all. I have to have a goal to work towards, and I’ve always wanted to hunt out west, so the goal is to hunt Idaho for elk, mule deer and bear. It will be an elk hunt first and foremost, but would be cool to bag one or both of the others. I’m looking at maybe two or three years from now, so looking for more general advice. I’ve never really been on any elevation ground, so I’m going to get in shape as best I can in that time, plus get some money saved to actually afford it. At this point I’m looking at hunting public land, by myself. Unless I get better advice between now and then I’m thinking around the St. Joe forest. I’ll need to be in a place I can camp.

Here’s the fun bonus points round- I’m crippled lol. I have trouble walking anyway, 100% DAV. So that should make things interesting. That said I’m still a Marine and I’m going if it kills me. Any ideas on the least worst place to hike through that I can still bag an elk maybe plus Mulie and/or black bear would be appreciated

Might be a horse in your future . Is that doable ?

I wouldn't recommend northern Idaho. It is very steep and the vegetation is extremely thick. Saying that if your heart is set on northern Idaho you can probably find some clearcuts to watch. Elk and deer is very doable as long as you aren't after trophies(IMO any elk is a trophy). One other thing to consider is if you get an animal down can you get it to the road, steep and thick. I would research southern Idaho, it is more open and perhaps the terrain is a little more forgiving. PM me if you have any questions. I am playing with grandkids for a couple days so I may be a little slow in replying.

No riding. Once upon a time I was a professional horseman, and still am on the ground lol, but horseback hits a nerve badly.
I’m either going to wish I was dead carrying an animal out myself, bring goats, or bring llamas. I haven’t figured out which yet, but I have goats who pack already and I can have llamas ready by then if I start soon.

Ideally I’ll kill a world record elk, but any is a trophy.

I’m taking the family on a road trip vacation and using a couple hours of that to enjoy the woods with them while scouting for me

I'll second SundanceMtnMan. North Idaho is steep and thick country. The St Joe has significant wolf pressure. You'll have to be willing to move until you find the elk. With mobility being an issue, I'd focus on more open terrain further south where you can let some quality optics do some walking for you.

Does it have to be a bull hunt? Lots of cheaper cow hunt in lower ranch type country of Utah.

Can you ride an electric mountain bike? Riding logging roads on a bike could be an option?

I don't know what limitations you might have but if you have not been in mountains there will be lots that can go wrong with no one to help out.

Yep..What kind of glass you got sitting on your tripod?

The country I live in is a little more forgiving but there are spots you can gain or loose elevation. If you would like pm me and I can try and help anyway that I can. Hunting opportunities are here and if you want to try for a three species hunt I think it's doable. Jon

I need to at least have the option to take a bull. This has a 50/50 chance of being the only time I get to go, so I want the opportunity.

I don’t think that a bike would help. Just a recipe for a bad fall.

I don’t have a good spotting scope or binoculars yet. Good on scopes though. I am more concerned with reading the land between the animal and myself well enough to know I can get it out. I’m rifle hunting, so that makes it a little easier. I usually run out of sight with vegetation before I run out of ability.

Any specific public land that I can use an otc tag for that I should check out?

Most men don’t want to hear this but if sitting on a horse is painful for you , side saddle can be much more comfortable. I only tried it once but couldn’t get over how comfortable and stable it was .

A solo elk hunt in most mountainous terrain can be very challenging and exhausting for a man in great shape.

Might be near impossible for a man with physical limitations

You need help and someone to share the experience with. Any friend or family member willing to go ?

I have donated to several veteran outreach programs .........freedom hunters I believe , and wounded warriors is another. Some of these guys specialized in assisting vets on hunting adventures. Might check it out.

Just how mobile are you and for how far? I have places that I could take someone but can't guarantee anything of course. Is this a one time trip or could you do a preseason attempt at getting there?

I'm on the west side of the state while Jmack and others are on the east side so that's several hours of travel.

Yep..Not to discourage you..If your body is not conditioned for riding a horse or mule..You will painfully regret it the second day..Then it's possible to loose more days from trying to recover..Horseback looks good in the Video..However if your riding in for one day on a drop camp like maybe 6-8 miles in..It would probably be bearable..Maybe a 3-4 hour ride one way..It's those 15-20 miles a day that will make a chiropractor wealthy..LOL..and good luck

I will second what others have said about the North Idaho. We are not trying to steer you away from up here at all, as there's plenty of ground for sportsman to share, but the country is THICK and STEEP in most places that you're going to find elk, black bear and mulies up here. Depends on your limitations I guess, but you said you're 100% DAV. On a side note and as a fellow brother, Semper Fi and thank you for your service. Where did you serve? I was stationed in Pendleton with 11th Marines.

For a guaranteed chance to hunt you will need to figure out a general hunt where you can just buy a tag. I would suggest that when you know for sure what year you are going, you should put in for a controlled hunt for an elk hunt with a high success rate. Usually the odds are long to draw. If you don’t draw you will have the general hunt to fall back on but if you do draw you could be in for a great hunt. Idaho has no point system so your chances are just as good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) as anyone else. I’m sure you can get some suggestions from folks here on a good hunt to put in for. Like 10 bands said a little more information on your abilities to get around would be good. That may make a big difference on what suggestions you get.

x2, cept I think (I know it used to be) cow tags for some units are OTC in Idaho.

to start training, here's what's worked for me and many flatlanders:

1) hike up and down bleachers at local high school football field

2) after 2 weeks, add day pack and 10 pounds

3) add 10 lbs every week thereafter

4) before you know it, your adding cinder blocks!

THEN, you are ready to pack out an elk.

2 of the ones I packed out, back in the 80's had hind quarters close to 80 lbs........these were off 800 pound bulls, in He11s Canyon Idaho......steep, loose rock, and couldn't even get the horses to where the elk fell.

Consider central Montana.