Last Day to Apply for Idaho Nonresident Elk and Deer Tags This is the first year that Idaho has made nonresidents put in for the formerly OTC (over the counter) general season elk and deer tags and now, today is the last day you can put in for those hunts. Obviously, this is just the first “go round” but for sure, all the good and desirable areas will be gobbled up in this first draw period. Keep in mind that this first draw does not apply to trophy species: moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep. December 15, 2025By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Guided Hunts Bear Hunts, Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camp, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Elk-Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho Black Bear Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Mule-Deer-Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Nonresidents Must Apply for Formerly OTC Tags this Year in Idaho Seems the only constant in life is change and that adage seems to hold especially true in the hunting world. It seems to me that meetings are held and changes made “just because” every year and this year is no different! Starting today, December 5, 2025, nonresidents who want to hunt elk and deer in formerly OTC units will need to apply for those tags. The application period runs from December 5 to 15, 2025 with results being posted in early January 2026. December 5, 2025By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Guided Hunts Deer Hunts, Elk Hunts, Elk-Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Mule-Deer-Hunts, OTC Tags, Over-the-counter Tags 0 0 Comment Read More »
Got Tags? Idaho draw results came out last week and I imagine most western states have drawn by now and most people drew the all too familiar “unsuccessful” tag. If that is the case, come check us out in Central Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area. We still have a few openings and tags available. June 24, 2025By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, Elk In Rut, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer Deer Hunts, Elk Hunts, Elk-Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Mule-Deer-Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Rut Mule Deer Hunt Opportunity By some strange twist of fate, oversight, or whatever you might want to call it we are down to the wire and find ourselves with 2 tags for a 2024 Controlled Mule Deer Hunt for 2 in November. September 6, 2024By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer Deer Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Why book an Idaho Spring Bear Season Drop Camp? Winter of 2023 is a LONG one! Most are itching to get out, longing for spring. We are thinking about camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting. Winter has been a drag on physical and mental capacities. March 13, 2023By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Spring bear season Bear Hunts, Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Spring Bear Season, Spring Black Bear Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Merry Christmas from Idaho! As the sun set on a crisp evening in our upper camp overlooking the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on November 18, the realization hit that our 2022 Idaho elk, deer and bear season had just come to an end.This past month has flown by and as we inch up on the end of 2022, we can’t help but look back at an amazing year December 22, 2022By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Guided Hunts Bear Hunts, Deer Hunts, Elk Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Merry Christmas 0 0 Comment Read More »
Looking ahead to 2021 As the sun set on the 2020 Idaho elk and deer hunting seasons, and since our emails were down, we took some time to reflect on this past year and the craziness that has consumed 2020, the thought that always puts a smile on our face is looking forward to next hunting season and next year’s backcountry adventures! December 11, 2020By George McQuiston Drop Camps, Elk In Rut, Fall Bear Season, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer, Spring bear season, Spring Fall Black Bear, Youth Black Bear Hunts, Deer Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Youth Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period Now Open for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear The tag application period in Idaho for controlled-hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, and fall bear tags runs from May 1 to June 5. Successful applicants will be notified by July 10, and tags must be purchased by August 1. Tags not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited to a second application period, which runs from August 5 to August 15. May 1, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, Elk In Rut, Fall Bear Season, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Youth Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
The Value of Drop Camps There are three basic strategies for setting up a hunt out West: hunt from an outfitter’s fully-equipped camp with a guide; hunt from an outfitter’s drop camp without a guide; or, organize a full DIY hunt, using your own camp equipment. Drop camps sit smugly between the other two set-ups as far as pros and cons are concerned, and they just might provide you the best overall value of the three. Cost is the primary consideration for most people who choose to hunt from a drop camp. March 1, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Drop Camps, General Information, Guided Hunts Drop Camps, Guided Hunts, Idaho Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »