North Idaho hunters find success on opening weekend

In April, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 652 into law, designating hunting as the official sport of Idaho. 

Spearheaded by 9-year-old Betty Grandy from Twin Falls, the law marked Idaho as the first state in the U.S. to give the sport of hunting the high honor of being recognized at a legislative level.  

The law makes sense to the average Idahoan, with Idaho ranked fifth for the most registered hunters per 100 residents, according to a 2023 study by USA Symbol, which compared data from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service license data and Census Bureau population estimates.  

Although the hunting season has already commenced for certain hunters, rifle season, among the more popular methods for hunters in Idaho, started this weekend on Oct. 10. 

Several Daily Bee followers shared their success stories in a Facebook post, calling on followers to share their stories.  

Of the ones who shared were Orrin Thompson, who harvested a buck at 7:45 a.m. on opening day, making his hunt efficient and swift. Thompson wrote that he was home by 9 a.m. after successfully processing the deer.  

Faith Spaude also found success opening weekend, sharing a picture of her buck, obtained just before nightfall on Oct. 10. After an eight-mile hike, which left her with a sprained hip and rolled ankle, Spaude was able to secure the shot during their evening hunt.  

"We took a break, and on our evening hunt he stood perfect and broadside for me to hobble and get a shot," Spaude said. 

She further attributed the help of Ron Hardy, his father, and her fiancé, Devin Nessel, to helping her process the deer. Spaude has been active in hunting since she was 10 years old. 

Brett Davis was another resident who shared a success from this weekend. His wife, Tami Davis, tagged out on her first bull elk on opening day. The bull was spotted and shot from 360 yards away, taking the pair eight hours to harvest due to the tough terrain.  

    Brett Davis shared this photo in a Facebook post by the Daily Bee, highlighting his wife’s success on opening day, Oct. 10. calling on hunters to share their harvest photos. Tami Davis landed the shot from 360 yards away.
  

    Faith Spaude shared this picture in response to a Facebook post by the Daily Bee, calling follower to submit their success stories of opening weekend of rifle season.