2024 kicks off yet another year for sportsmen from around the globe to apply for tags throughout the West. This season is a roller-coaster like, emotion filled milestone that leaves most of us frustrated and down in the dumps and yet strangely wanting more. Because like most good things in life, we just can’t get enough and even with the slightest of odds we are willing to give it another go. And yes, there is a chance! 

That tiny glimmer of hope is all that most of us cling to as we apply year after year for coveted tags in our favorite western states. Idaho is a Gem state in more than one way, for this article we are looking at the highly coveted trophy species: Shiras’ moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and the Rocky Mountain goat. These three as well as the California bighorn comprise a bucket list made for the ages. If you don’t apply for these hunts, it’s likely not for lack of desire but for another reason such as the unknowns, or perhaps the odds are too steep and you just can’t see it happening. Either way, many of us will jump in for the chance at one of these amazing creatures. What does that look like for you? Below are a few tips on my outlook and perhaps an opportunity to add a one-in-a-lifetime hunt to your fall hunt calendar! 

Where and how? As with any species, the where and how starts with the areas I do NOT want to hunt or apply for. This looks different for all of us but can be filtered pretty easily. For example, Shiras’ moose are found in varied terrain statewide in Idaho, are you after horns, meat or both? Are you hoping to spot and glass, or call and ambush? Do you mind hiking steep and deep or need softer terrain, how about public land, are you able to obtain permission or do you need to hunt public? These types of filters are best applied through our TagHub 2.0 system. If you haven’t seen it or messed around with it, check out some of our tips and tutorials by clicking here https://eastmans.com/ . Second to TagHub is the printed or digital MRS that will be coming out in March. You can narrow your choices by pouring over our tables and charts and combine that with some solid onX Hunt research and you will see the choices narrow and develop your short list pretty quickly. At this point you have a few units that fit your needs, and you are ready for applications. 

Step 1 – narrow the choices, terrain, draw odds, trophy potential, I suggest TagHub 2.0 for this.

Step 2 – research each hunt area thoroughly with onX Hunt and narrow down yet again.

Step 3 – review historical harvest data and contact IDFG for current herd status for your prime selected units and narrow the final step

Step 4 – apply!

Good luck in the draws! Remember to send us your photos and stories.