My best friend lives in Boise now, but has never big game hunted. He does shooting competitions and loads his own ammo. His big game rifle is a 338 Win Mag.

I'd like to go on a self-guided elk hunt with him in Idaho. What is a good unit for a resident to buy an OTC tag for a bull? Doesn't have to be a trophy bull unit, just a place where he has a good chance at a bull. And if he can't find a bull, is the tag either sex?

Also, if the unit is one that I can draw for or buy a tag, that would be a plus; but the priority for the hunt is him.

Any suggestions?

Sorry, I'm clueless, but maybe the Idaho reg's list numbers of applicants, percentage of successful applicants, percentage of successful hunters etc,...?

I've been applying for Oregon and Nevada for a number of years and have noticed similar statistics.

A hunting area with good draw success rates and good "Hunter Reduced To Possession Rates," may be a profitable place to start.

Check out idaho fish and games web site. You can read up on every unit, check seasons, weapons, number of tags and success and size information and learn what your options are. Spend the time "hunting" for the best fit. You deprive yourself of a significant portion of the hunting experience if you don't do this.