2 July One Door Closes, Another One Opens July 2, 2024By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Elk In Rut, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer Elk Hunts, Guided Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 It’s July already. Besides being the month with probably the second most important holiday celebration of the year, it’s the month when most western states hunting tag draw results are out (except maybe some antlerless tags) and, as usual, you drew tag soup. Nothing, zilch, nada. What to do about hunting this fall now?No worries, there is still hope. Idaho outfitters are incredibly blessed to have what are called “outfitter allocated tags” available to most Idaho hunting outfitters and oddly we still have a few tags left as do as some other outfitters we have spoken with.Is it the economy, poor marketing, election year, COVID over so back to work? Is that why some tags are still left?Who cares? Regardless of the reason there is still a chance to be able to hunt Idaho this fall. Now, obviously, to get outfitter allocated tags would mean you would need to hunt with an outfitter, but I would think it would beat sofa surfing all fall and staring at FB pics of all your buddies who did draw tags out enjoying the woods.If you are a sportsman who simply lives to hunt, Idaho may be your next great adventure. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, in central Idaho, is simply the crown jewel of the American public lands system and worth a visit at least once in your lifetime. If you are able to carry a rifle and some tags while exploring “the Frank”, all the better!Now, speaking of central Idaho hunting, last winter was one of the mildest winters we have seen in many years and the fawn survival rate, along with buck survival, seems to be at a peak! I am no biologist, but based on the bucks we are seeing down in the hay fields (front range to the Frank), there are going to be plenty of nice bucks to go around. We are even thinking the mild winter is what drove the bears to baits so early and in such volume this spring based on our camera photos from our spring bear season that just ended June 30.So, if you are one of the (many) unlucky people who didn’t draw a tag for elk or deer in your favorite western state or hunting unit, maybe it is time to give Idaho a try? Contact us or any of several Idaho elk or deer hunting outfitters so you can check off that “see central Idaho’s famous backcountry” item on your lifetime “to do list”! And, as always, take a kid hunting!Happy hunting and get out and enjoy those public lands! Related Posts Idaho Outdoor Adventure Auction Is Up and Running If you have ever wanted to explore Idaho’s outdoors , now may be a great time to get a great “deal” on that outdoor adventure you have always wanted. Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association (IOGA) is auctioning off 7 outdoor adventures at www.biddingforgood.com/ioga. Idaho Spring Bear Season “Officially” Opens in Backcountry Units It is almost time for my second favorite time of year…spring bear season! It “officially” opens in many back country units like where we guide in the Middlefork zone on April 1st. I say officially as that is when it does open, but with this years late and heavy snowfalls, I am confident the bears will not be waking from their winter slumber for at least a few more weeks, at least at our elevations. 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. Idaho’s Spring Bear Season Officially Opens Today! Although it has been a mild winter, it still seems like it has been a long one waiting for spring bear season to finally arrive here in Idaho! April 1 is the “official” opener for many of the backcountry units, but in normal years the bears are still comfortably snuggled in their winter beds under feet of snow. First Hunting Season of 2016 Opens 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. Handguns for Bear Country I’ve been carrying handguns on outdoor adventures since I was a teenager and consider them essential tools of the trade. Handguns are easy to carry, so you have them within reach at all times, and they handle well inside small tents compared to long guns. A great deal of my outdoor activities in North America have taken place in country where black bear are common, and I have happened upon bear countless times where a gun on my hip provided great comfort. Comment (0) Comments are closed.