The Panhandle Elk Zone is the top producing elk zone in Idaho. Bearpaw Outfitters offer guided, semi-guided or unguided combo hunts for elk, deer, bear, wolf, & cougar. Stay in cozy cabins or a tent drop camp. Outfitter Allocated Tags are purchased over the counter. Elk & Mule Deer hunts are also offered in southern Idaho.
The Denney family has been guiding hunts since 1977. Please read some of the Hunt Reviews by past hunters. BPO have an A+ rating with the BBB.
Trophy quality is good, antlers range from spikes up to 7x7's, an average bull elk is probably a 4x4 or 5x5, but bulls over 300" are taken in this area every season.
Shot opportunity varies, guided hunters often have 30% to 80% opportunity for at least one animal and a few hunters get chances at more than one animal.
Elk hunting methods vary and may include calling, watching elk trails, glassing logging cuts, hiking on ridges, walking closed logging roads, and watching water sources or elk wallows.
Dates are Aug 30-Sept 4, Sept 6-11, Sept 13-18, or Dec 10-15. Bows must be at least 40# draw weight at up to 28" draw, max of 85% letoff, arrows minimum 24" and 300 grains, broadheads 7/8" or wider, no electronics on bow or arrows, expandables and lighted nocks OK.
Dates are Oct 10-14, Oct 15-19, Oct 20-24, & Oct 25-29. Rifles .257 or larger are preferred. Maximum weight is 16 pounds, no electronics can be attached, except scopes with battery powered or tritium reticles are allowed, no orange is required.
Dates Nov 15-19 or 20-24. Must: be .50 caliber or larger, loadable only from the muzzle, exposed flint or percussion or musket cap ignition, loose powder only. Roundballs, sabots, or conical bullets ok. No scopes, 209 primers, or pellet powder.
Guided hunters have a choice of 1,2, or 3 hunters per guide. A Guide will field dress, skin, and pack out game for guided and semi-guided hunters. All unguided hunters pack out game themselves. Drop camps must also do their own cooking.
Lodging & meals are provided at the house and cabins or stay in a tent drop camp. Arrive 2pm-4pm, check your weapon on a target before sunset, then hunt each day, move out of your room the morning of the last day, hunt until noon & depart.
Wake up to a continental breakfast each morning, leave camp early to get into the elk hunting areas by dawn, take a sack lunch with you or you can return to camp mid day for lunch, your dinner will be ready when you return in the evening.
The north Idaho elk hunting area is only 2 hours drive from the Spokane, WA airport. Driving directions are sent after deposits are received. Call Dale (208) 852-6494 or Brian (208) 852-6495 with questions or to book a hunt.
Archers should practice sitting and standing at 10 to 60 yards. Most rifle shots are 30 to 300 yards, sight dead on at 200 yards, but practice out to 400 yards (and know your max range).
Your guide will field dress, skin, quarter, and pack out your game. You can debone meat or pack quarters in coolers to take home. Taxidermy and buthering are both available locally if desired.
Sept can be warm in the day with cool to frosty nights possible. October is cooler with snowy conditions possible. Check the Weather forecast or call before leaving for your hunt.
This is mountain country and success is usually higher for hunters who are in good physical condition but there are some good easier areas to hunt if you need an easier type of hunt.
Not Included: Hunters must provide their personal gear, license fees, gratuities for guides, travel costs, meat processing, taxidermy, shipping, and any items not listed as included.
Common questions about the North Idaho combo elk hunts with Bearpaw Outfitters in the Panhandle Elk Zone.
This is a combo hunt for elk, deer, bear, wolf, and cougar in the Panhandle Elk Zone, the top producing elk zone in Idaho. You can buy tags for the species you want and take more than one kind of animal on the same trip.
Tags are Outfitter Allocated Tags purchased over the counter, so there is no draw to worry about. You will need a $195 hunting license, plus tags for the species you want: $656.75 elk, $356.75 deer, $41.75 bear or lion, $31.75 wolf, and $81.75 for a bow or muzzleloader permit.
Archery dates are Aug 30–Sept 4, Sept 6–11, Sept 13–18, or Dec 10–15. Rifle dates are Oct 10–14, Oct 15–19, Oct 20–24, and Oct 25–29. Muzzleloader dates are Nov 15–19 or Nov 20–24. Each weapon has specific equipment rules we can go over with you.
Rifles .257 caliber or larger are preferred. For the best chance at being a proficient elk hunter, sight your rifle dead on at 200 yards, practice shooting offhand while standing at 50 yards, practice shooting prone on your daypack, and practice sitting and standing with shooting sticks from 100 to 400 yards.
Trophy quality is good, with antlers ranging from spikes up to 7x7s. An average bull is a 4x4 or 5x5, and bulls over 300 inches are taken in this area every season.
Shot opportunity varies. Guided hunters often have a 30% to 80% opportunity for at least one animal, and a few hunters get chances at more than one animal on the combo hunt. Hunters in good physical condition generally have higher success in this mountain country.
Choose guided (1, 2, or 3 hunters per guide), semi-guided, unguided, a tent drop camp, or a DIY hunt. Guided, semi-guided, and unguided hunters stay at the house and cabins with lodging and meals provided; drop camp hunters stay in a tent and do their own cooking.
Methods vary and may include calling, watching elk trails, glassing logging cuts, hiking ridges, walking closed logging roads, and watching water sources or elk wallows. Your guide adapts to the conditions and the weapon you're hunting with.
The northern Idaho elk area is a couple hours' drive from the Spokane or Missoula airport, and directions are sent after your deposit. September can be warm with cool to frosty nights, while October is cooler with snow possible, so bring layered clothing and check the forecast before you leave.
The Bearpaw Team will insure you have a fun and exciting hunt!
Outfitter & Guide
Idaho Manager/Guide
Elk Hunting Guide
Elk Hunting Guide
Elk Hunting Guide
Elk Hunting Guide