Idaho Hunting Details | Idaho Cougar | Idaho Moose | Idaho Mule Deer

Bearpaw Outfitters offer several excellent elk hunting options in Southeast Idaho. Elk and Mule Deer can be hunted on the same hunt and if a person draws a moose tag they can also hunt moose on the same hunt. Best of all, Elk & Deer licenses are available over the counter with no draw needed.

Idaho allows hunters to purchase 2nd elk and deer tags if the quota doesn't sell out before Sept 1, extra tags are available most years. Idaho also allows a deer tag to be used on a cougar if you see one. Bearpaw Outfitters do not charge an extra trophy fee for hunting any of these extra animals.

Fortunately predation is not a serious problem like in some other areas. There are no documented wolf packs and there are very few bear in this area so there is very little impact.

Bearpaw Outfitters have several proven hunting camps where many good animals have been taken. Choose a guided hunt or an unguided hunt in any of the elk camps or the lodge. Whether you're a serious trophy hunter or just meat hunting for a freezer full of meat, these hunts are a great choice.

Trophy Quality

Many trophy class 6x6 bull elk scoring 300+ and many trophy mule deer with 30” or larger racks have been taken in SE Idaho. Bearpaw Outfitters recently took a 352 gross bull elk and a 31 inch 6x8 trophy mule deer. Game numbers are not as high as some other areas but elk and deer can get really big and they can both be hunted at the same time. All hunters are not going to get trophy animals, but remember, in order to kill trophy class animals you have to hunt an area that has a history of actually producing trophy class animals.

Hunting Areas

The hunt area is in F&G Units 73, 74, 75, 77, & 78, an area over 50 miles wide. The mountains are breathtakingly beautiful with most elevations ranging from 6000 to 8500 feet.

Hunting Methods

Hunting methods often include glassing & spotting open hillsides, spot & stalk hunting, watching water holes or elk wallows, elk calling, or still hunting trails and ridges.

Elk & Deer Seasons

Rifle Bull elk is open Oct 15-24. Rifle Cow Elk is Oct 25-Nov 15. Rifle Mule Deer opens October 10 to 31. Bow season for elk and deer runs August 30 to September 30. Muzzleloader cow season is open Nov 16 to Dec 31.

Best Time

Rifle elk hunting can be good the first hunt or the last hunt, depending on what the weather does. Rifle mule deer hunting is usually best the first 5 days (Oct 10-14) and the last 5 days (Oct 27-31). Archery elk hunting is usually best the last two weeks of September.

Shot Opportunity

Shot opportunity is more variable on elk than most other species. Some groups have had 100% opportunity and some have not seen an elk. Some years we have averaged as high as 40% to 70% opportunity on elk, but other years we average about half that. Mule deer hunting is more consistent and shot opportunity usually averages from 50% to 80%. Game numbers are not as high in Idaho as some other areas, but licenses are easy to get and the trophy potential is better than most areas that have licenses available over the counter. Shots often range from 100 to 300+ yards so sight rifles dead on at 200 yards. 7mm or .300 magnum calibers are best.

Guiding Options

Guided Hunts:  Choose 1 to 3 hunters per guide. Hunts include your guide, meals, lodging, game retrieval and care.

Semi-Guided:  Get meals, lodging, and hunting advice daily. Hunt on your own but get help retrieving your downed game.

Unguided:  Includes your chosen accommodations, map of the area, and hunting advice. Perfect for hunters who want to be self sufficient, hunt on their own, and care for their game.

Accommodations

Mountain Lodge:  Enjoy indoor lodging in the mountains with cooked meals in the dining room, warm indoor bathrooms, and cozy bedrooms. It’s only minutes to hunting areas.

Hosted Tent Camp:  The camp is accessed by auto and usually has 4 to 10 Guided or Unguided hunters in camp. Includes tents, camp gear, portable toilet, kitchen area, water, cooked meals and services provided by Bearpaw staff.

Motel “Town Hunts”:  Stay at a comfortable motel in town. BPO will provide your room and will pick up & return guided hunters daily. Unguided hunters drive themselves. Restaurant meals are not included so budget about $30 per day.

Drive-In Drop Camp:  Camp is accessed by auto and suited for 2 to 8 unguided hunters. You do not have to ride horses to get to camp. Includes tent, camp gear, water, portable toilet, firewood hand saw, and hunting advice. Bring your own food.

Horseback Drop Camp:  Ride on horseback into a remote area, camp is suited for a group of 2 to 6 unguided hunters. Do your own cooking and get your game to the camp or a trail. Bearpaw packs you in and out along with any game you get.

Do-It-Yourself Hunt:  Get hunting advice, map, and directions for a proven elk hunting area. You provide everything else.

Horses or ATV’s

Hunters may arrange Horses or an ATV on their guided hunt for an additional $600 per hunter per week.

Temperature & Weather

September will have frosty nights, but days often warm up to 50 to 70 degrees. October temps often range from 20 to 50 degrees and snow is possible. Check the current weather forecast with the weather link on the Idaho Home Page before you leave for the hunt.

Licenses, Hunter Ed, Hunter Orange

Licenses for Elk & Deer are available over the counter for $772.50. Hunter Ed is required if born after Jan 1, 1975.

What’s Not Included

Your personal gear, sleeping bag, meat processing, taxidermy, licenses, state sales tax, gratuities, and any other items not listed as being included.

Info and Questions

Check all the hunts in Idaho, Montana, Utah, or Washington to find the hunt that's best for you. Watch the online Hunting Videos, view the Hunting Photos, and see the Hunt Details. Feel free to Email or use the Questionnaire to get a list of references or to ask any question you have.

Booking A Hunt

Book your hunt by sending the Hunt Application with a hunt deposit or call Dale, Tara, or Anthony and book your hunt over the phone.