28 February Coming of Age (Meet Our Newest Guide) February 28, 2022By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information #WIOAdventures, Bear Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Lion Hunts, Wolf Hunts 0 Most of you know Wyley and many of you have watched him grow up in hunting camp helping his mom pack drop camps, pack bear bait, hauling firewood, feeding livestock or simply setting up camp. His smile and laughter are always a welcome sight and sound in hunting camp. It appears his career choice was made for him long before he even knew what it would be. On January 28th Wyley turned 18 and we had him licensed within minutes of the licensing board opening for business and straight to the woods with his first hunter we went. The hunter was Heath F., who had hunted with us 2 times before and was out to finish his predator trifecta with an Idaho Mountain Lion. After enduring 6 days of single digit starts to the day and 1 subzero day, we found the right Tom Mountain Lion track and the dogs were off on a chase that culminated 1600 feet above where they picked it up and within a short while Wyley was there with his hunter. After a few pictures in the tree, Heath made a perfect shot, the cat expired and fell from the tree. High fives and congratulations rang out along with the sound of the dogs getting a “taste” of victory over their job well done. With Wyley’s first “professional” kill under his belt, he looks forward to a long and successful guiding career with Castle Creek Outfitters (of which he is about to be the newest partner) and Wild Idaho Outfitters. Special thanks go out to the hound dog handlers that took the time to share their knowledge and love of chasing Mountain Lions with him including Justin Keller, Brandon Jensen, and Bryan Hansen. It goes without saying that Kelly and I are very proud of this young man and look forward to working as a family in our outfitting businesses and sharing public lands with outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life! Related Posts Join us in Boise on December 12th for Idaho Outfitters and Guides Annual THAW Dinner and Auction This December 12th at the Red Lion Downtowner you come join the Idaho Outfitters and Guides association (IOGA) for their annual “Thaw”. It is a dinner with entertainment, auctions and fun. For more info see www.IOGA.org Annual Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association Dinner and Auction The annual IOGA dinner and auction takes place this Thursday December 3rd at the Riverside hotel in Boise, Idaho. Proceeds go to the Idaho Natural Resources Foundation, whose mission is to “The Idaho Natural Resource Foundation works to conserve our wild land, rivers, and wildlife for future generations to enjoy and interact with.” 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. Happy Thanksgiving 2018 from Wild Idaho Outfitters As the sun just set on the final day of our 2018 Idaho elk and deer hunting season, it turns out we drop right back into another “season”: The Holiday Season! With the first, of course, being Thanksgiving. I personally am glad that Thanksgiving falls when it does this year as it leaves no time for PHD (post hunting depression) to set in. Instead, it is a time to reflect on this past year and all the many incredible blessings we have in our lives. I have said it before and it bears repeating, the best part of our job is the people we get to meet. The Results are In People we know that put in for Utah draw hunts are beginning to see their credit cards hit for the respective amounts that would indicate success in drawing either a limited entry tag or one of many general season tags that require a draw now in the state of Utah. Gone are the good old days of over the counter or OTC tags in Utah Visit our Photo Gallery for a Recap of the exciting 2014 Idaho Adventures They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe that is true and maybe it “ain’t,” but it is always fun to look back over the past year through pictures taken either by myself, our guides or even those shared by our hunting clients. It helps us relive some of the moments that makes our jobs as guides one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world (in my opinion of course). Comment (0) Comments are closed.