16 January First Hunting Season of 2016 Opens January 16, 2016By George McQuiston Elk In Rut, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer, Spring Fall Black Bear Black Bear Hunts, Elk Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 Now that all the hoopla surrounding the Holidays are over and the New Year is officially underway, it is time to get down to the serious business of planning for all the hunting seasons the upcoming year will provide. While many people are still enjoying hunting for waterfowl, chukars, rabbits and predators (with their new 2016 licenses of course), there are others who are beginning the long, arduous task of trying to decipher each states hunting regulations in search of that one special hunt that will guarantee the buck, bull or boar of a lifetime. Once that special hunt is located, all one has to do is figure out how many points are needed to have a chance to be successful, figure out how to apply, how much it will cost to apply and then go ahead and apply, during the correct application period, and then sit back and wait for that email or letter that will hopefully read SUCCESSFUL for hunt number XXX. Now for those of us who have hunted out west long enough, realize, that more often than not that letter reads Unsuccessful for hunt XXX…and so the anticipation for next year when we can once again apply and hope for success in at least the draw. Now lest you think this is simply a downer post, please know it is simply an informational post, that the first hunting season of the year is officially underway: Hunt application season officially began January 1st 2016 with the timeframe for applying for elk tags in Wyoming opening up to applicants. This application period ends January 31st. If you have a desire to hunt Wyoming, but don’t know where to start, might I suggest you begin by calling my outfitter friend Kelly Christensen at 208-547-4062, emailing him at raftercoutfitters@live.com or visiting his website at www.RafterCoutfitting.com. He is licensed in both Idaho and Wyoming and is very approachable about hunting information in either of his areas. As for Idaho, beginning January 15, 2016, the application for spring bear in the draw only areas opens. With Idaho having so many over the counter or OTC tag areas with 2 bear tags available in these areas, I can’t imagine why one would want to apply for a hunt, but I have been told that if it is a draw area in Idaho for bears, there are even more bears than in areas with 2 tags and with much easier access and so should be a very good hunt…if you draw. For more info on Idaho Spring bear applications, see http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/media/viewNewsRelease.cfm?newsID=8027 Application season is always a fun, thought and dream provoking time of year, please keep in mind that if you miss an application deadline or are simply unsuccessful in the draw, you can always buy an Idaho OTC tag and simply go hunting. If you are searching for an Idaho outfitter for 2016 (and somehow we don’t fit your criteria), your best resource for finding a quality Idaho hunting outfitter is www.HuntingIdaho.org Related Posts The 2016 Idaho fall hunting seasons are almost here We are just a few short days away from the 2016 fall hunting season here in Idaho. August 30 is the opener of most fall bear hunting units along with statewide general archery season for elk and deer. Here in Central Idaho’s wilderness backcountry units, we are fortunate to enjoy a two-month long rifle season, so our first opener is bear season and we are getting ready. Our first baits have now been set, camps are getting readied, and firewood is being cut and stacked and come next Tuesday we will welcome our first fall 2016 hunters here at Wild Idaho Outfitters. 2010 Idaho Hunting Season Comes to a Close Hunting season in Idaho’s backcountry unit 27 comes to an official close on November 18 and this year the snow began to roll in about then. So after 2 days of packing out camp it was time to chain up and haul livestock over the pass to winter quarters and begin the drying out of tents, tack and equipment. Riding in to pack camp after the last hunter leaves is always sort of a bitter sweet journey. 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. Idaho Spring Bear Hunting Season Officially Opens Today is the day we have waited all winter for! It is officially Idaho spring bear hunting season. If you are not hunting with us (which we obviously hope you are) then hope you are hunting with another Idaho bear hunting outfitter. Sun Sets on 2015 Wild Idaho Hunting Seasons 2015 will go down as one of Wild Idaho Outfitters most successful hunting seasons of our career. Beginning with spring Bear hunting where we enjoyed a full 75% opportunity rate to our fall hunting seasons where we went just under 100% opportunity rate on an animal. And most importantly, almost everyone who hunted with us this year lived. Those few exceptions were probably a little ill anyway. Yes folks that is one of my corny outfitter jokes. The Conclusion of Our 2016 Season he sun has set on our 2016 Idaho hunting season and as we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving Day, we here at Wild Idaho Outfitters want to say thanks for an amazing year! Each year I say, “Man, this is our best year ever”, and yet it seems like it does get better year after year. This was the end of our twelfth season of owning and operating Wild Idaho Outfitters and we have had 12 consecutive “best years ever”. Comment (0) Comments are closed.