If You Want To Score Points, Head For Panhandle

If you are more interested in a trophy elk or deer than meat, North Idaho is one of the best places to hunt this fall.

Biologists say there are more six-point bull elk and four-point buck deer in the Panhandle than in most other trophy-producing states.

Abundant spring rains resulted in good forage growth. Animals that survived last winter had plenty to eat and are in excellent condition.

“Hunter success will depend more on the weather than the availability of deer and elk,” said Jim Hayden, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager in Coeur d’Alene. “Weather extremes are bad for hunters. If the ground cover is extremely dry, hunters will make too much noise. If snow gets too deep, hunters won’t be able to drive to areas were they can be successful.

“What’s best is some cool, wet weather to dampen the ground and enough snow to enable hunters to see the animals and to track them.”

The Panhandle’s elk herds are healthy, he said. Numbers of animals have been increasing gradually the last few years and the kill has been going up.

“One out of every three bulls has at least six points, a high percentage for trophy bulls.” he said.

“Hunters took about 2,000 elk in the region last year and two-thirds of them were bulls.

We expect hunters to take at least as many, possibly more, this fall,” Hayden said.

Weather has more of an impact on the Panhandle’s whitetail and deer populations than hunters, Hayden said. Hunters account for about 30 percent of the yearly mortality of deer. The deer herds have been in good shape the last three years.

About 50 percent of the Panhandle’s mule deer bucks have at least four points on one side. Nearly two-thirds of the whitetail bucks have four points on one side.

Most Panhandle hunters traditionally wait until they’ve tagged elk - or until snow falls - before they get serious about deer hunting. Consequently, the pressure on deer during opening days usually is light.

Elk herds in the Lewiston region are in good condition, regional biologists report.

The Fish and Game Department is considering ways to maintain the numbers of old bull elk, as well as trying to determine whether anything can be done about the increasing numbers of old cow elk. Average ages of the cows has been increasing the last few years.

As cows get older, their ability to produce calves diminishes.

Mule deer herds haven’t fully recovered from the declines of the 1960s and 1980s, Hayden said. Whitetails, on the other hand, are doing well.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: North Idaho big-game seasons General elk: Most units open Oct.10. General deer: Seasons open as early as Oct. 10 in units 4 and 7. Most units open Nov. 1, although some open as late as Nov. 10.