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 »
Spring Scouting for Elk Hunting Success Spring is one of the best times of year to get out in the mountains and scout new areas for the upcoming elk season, which won’t arrive yet for another 5 – 6 months. The air is fresh and invigorating, and as the snow melts it exposes game sign from the previous fall that has been preserved in a deep freeze all winter. Game trails, wallows, rubs, and even some tracks still appear fresh. April 22, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Youth Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Clarification on Idaho Fish & Game Nonresident License/Tag Suspension There’s been some confusion about the temporary suspension of some nonresident licenses, permits, and tags sales by the Idaho Fish & Game Commission, due to COVID-19. So, let me clarify as far as big-game licenses and tags are concerned. April 14, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Youth Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Wild Idaho Outfitters Welcomes Joe Cavanaugh: Our New Blog Writer If you hadn’t already noticed, Joe’s been writing our blogs since the January 31st post. Cavanaugh comes to us with a wide range of experience in the outdoors, and he’s also a graduate of Boise State University, with a BA in English/writing. He worked professionally as a copywriter for Bass Pro Shops before joining us, and his book “The Jungle Hunter” was published by Safari Press in 2000 (now out of print). Cavanaugh started guiding for Wild Idaho Outfitters in 2013, and he will be guiding for us again this year, full time. April 8, 2020By Monica Oliver Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, OTC Tags, Over-the-counter Tags, River of No Return, Spring Bear Season, Youth Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Hunting News Idaho Fish and Game has established a new page on its website to provide you with information concerning changes in hunting/fishing regs or dates due to COVID-19. So far so good, as there are no drastic changes. “Traditional hunting and fishing seasons remain unaffected.” April 1, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Trophy Species 0 0 Comment Read More »
Bear Rifles Conversations about bear rifles, or any species-specific rifle, seem to start and end with cartridge selection. There is much more to a rifle however, than the chamber. March 23, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Fall Bear Season, General Information, Guided Hunts, Spring Fall Black Bear Bear Hunts, Black Bear Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Idaho Fish & Game Commission Extends Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons Idaho Fish and Game recently extended wolf hunting seasons, opened more areas to wolf trapping and extended trapping seasons over most of the state. Changes went into effect immediately on February 20, 2020. Wolf hunting season in Frank Church Wilderness game units 20A, 26, and 27 has been extended by one month. March 16, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information, Guided Hunts, Wolf Idaho Hunts, Wolf Hunts 0 0 Comment Read More »
Idaho OTC Deer Tags: A Finite Resource Idaho has some great opportunities for hunting trophy mule deer with OTC tags on public land—as good as or better than anywhere in the West. General, OTC, any-weapon deer tags are valid in any game unit in the state which is not limited to controlled-hunt tags only. This includes the general deer seasons in Units 27 and 28 where Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters operate. March 9, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Archery Hunts, Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, OTC Tags, Over-the-counter Tags 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 »