Hunt #OI-WMO1
Idaho Wilderness Horseback Elk & Mule Deer Hunts
Experience Wilderness at its Best. Hunt the Frank Church, the River of No Return Wilderness!
The Frank Church Wilderness is the largest most remote Wilderness area left in the lower 48. For those in search of a True Wilderness Mountain Hunting Experience you are in the right place. Here the wildlife has rarely before seen man, it feels as though you have stepped back in time. Be prepared to be challenged and make memories that will last a lifetime or make it an annual Adventure!!
“Specializing in the very finest traditional western mountain hunting experiences.”
- Elk & Mule Deer combo Hunts!
- September 15 – November 18th season options
- Guaranteed Tags!
- Black Bear & Wolf for no additional fee
- Deluxe Wall Tent Camps
More Resources for this Hunt
- Lodging and Accommodations
- Gear List
- Travel Information
- Read Hunt Reports and Outfitter Reviews
- Photo Gallery
- Booking Your Trip
Lodging and Accommodations
- Comfortable Deluxe Wall Tent base camps complete with separate guest, guide, dining, shower, and outhouse tents.
- Guest’s tents are equipped with premium wood stoves, cots & foam pads.
- Up to 4 hunters per camp, with the average group being 2-3. Although we can accommodate more we favor Quality over Quantity.
- Eat like you never have before in the backcountry with homemade delicacies prepared for you daily by a full time Camp Chef.
- All meals are prepared with only the freshest home grown and local ingredients from our Outfitters own gardens!
Travel Information
Guests will have multiple options for traveling for these remote hunts. Remote Trailheads can be accessed by Charter Service or Four Wheel Drive Vehicle after arriving in Idaho.
- For those Flying: Guests will want to fly into Boise (BOI) and have the option to rent a vehicle and drive to the Trailhead as well as Charter from Boise. We highly encourage the Air Charter option as it is significantly cheaper to Charter a small plane into the wilderness than rent a Four Wheel Drive Vehicle for the weeks hunt ($150-400 round trip, per person average flight fees depending on group size). There are also Remote Lodges in the area with world class accommodations for our guest to stay at pre/post hunt.
- For Those Driving: Detailed directions will be provided for travel within Idaho. Depending on time of year with weather conditions and specific road access. Four Wheel Drive Vehicle are HIGHLY encouraged.
Game Meat & Trophies
All meat will be transported to our local processor and all costs associated thereafter are the responsibility of the client. All antlers and capes will be prepared and frozen ready for taxidermy, arrangements can be made to ship for an additional fee. Local Taxidermy options available!
Guides
Seasoned experienced and professional guides. Guides are well equipped with both the knowledge & equipment needed to provide a safe & successful experience in the mountains. Both 1:1 & 2:1 options are offered. Transportation while in the field hunting will be mostly by horseback and foot. Guides and hunters will rely mostly on horses for packing out game harvested, as well as the occasional backpack pack-out. The right equipment and level of expertise is crucial to success in these remote and wild places!
Typical Daily Schedule
- All Elk & Mule Deer Hunts will be conducted on a 7 day schedule with the first & last days being the “Pack in/out days” and 5 full days of hunting in between!
- Each day in the Backcountry will start early with a hardy Camp Chef prepared meal while Wranglers and Guides prepare the Horses for the days hunt.
- Days will consist of horseback riding and hiking covering ground in search of game as well as glassing.
- Time of season will dictate the style of hunting whether it be pursuing bugling bulls in the early season or gaining elevation to glass for rutting Mule Deer Bucks in the Late Season.
- After each day hunters will return to the Deluxe Camp for another world class home cooked meal while sharing stories before turning in for another exciting day on the Mountain!
Gear List
This is a list of what we recommend to bring for gear, if you have something you prefer that you find works for you then bring it. We’ve found this list to cover just about any weather scenario we may encounter. I cannot stress enough how quality gear will impact your hunt, year after year I see people struggle unnecessarily because they cheaped out on a pair of boots or rain gear. Don’t let a few hundred dollars keep you from having an enjoyable hunt.
Clothing:
This is a list of what I highly recommend to bring for clothing, if you have something you prefer that you find works for you then bring it. I have found this list to cover just about any weather scenario we may encounter. I cannot stress enough how quality gear will impact your hunt, year after year I see people struggle unnecessarily because they cheaped out on a pair of boots or rain gear. Don’t let a few hundred dollars keep you from having an enjoyable hunt.
Along with each item listed I have noted some brands or particular items I have found to work for me personally that I recommend. Gear is very personal, these are purely what I prefer, nothing is mandatory. I have found a layering system to work most efficiently when mountain hunting. Not only does it pack lighter, but it also allows you to be comfortable in adverse conditions. I highly recommend you avoid cotton clothing at all cost, fast drying synthetics or wool can save your life! If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
- (1-2) pairs of HIGH QUALITY BOOTS – Stiff boots work the best in our steep country: Scarpa, Kuiu, Zamberlan, Schnees, Lathrop & Sons, etc. Good Boots are the #1 most important piece of gear aside from your rifle. Buy quality and break them in prior to coming.
- (7) pairs of socks – I highly recommend merino, plus liner socks for blisters if you are prone: Darn Tough makes the best sock I have ever seen.
- Underwear – Whatever works for you, I prefer Minus 33* merino (2) sets of base layer tops and bottoms- Minus 33* is my favorite, Kuiu, Stone Glacier, FirstLite, etc
- (2-3) pants, at least one warm pair and one lighter pair – Kuiu, FjallRaven, and Stone Glacier are my favorites
- (2) shirts
- (2) mid layer tops and/or vest – I prefer a wool long sleeve or an insulated shirt like the Kuiu Kenai paired with a soft-shell like the Kuiu Guide vest.
- (1-2) warm jacket and/or puffy coat – I prefer a puffy coat for weight to insulation ratio, Kuiu and Stone Glacier are my favorites, I strongly recommend heavy fill puffy jacket and pants for late season hunts.
- (1) Quality set of rain gear top and bottoms – Kuiu Yukon is the best rain gear I have found, it also works great as a windbreaker and paired with a puffy coat makes an excellent winter jacket. Stone Glacier also has a great new offering.
- (2-3) pair of gloves – I prefer at least one waterproof glove and another set of thick warm gloves for glassing. Kuiu, Sitka, Seal Skin, Black Diamond, etc.
- Winter hat and ball cap
- (1) neck warmer/balaclava
Hunting Gear:
- Backpack – Stone Glacier is my favorite but other quality brands include: EXO Mtn gear, Kifaru,
Eberlestock, Kuiu, Sitka, Mystery Ranch, etc. You do not need a giant pack, anything around 2-4K cubic inches is great. A rain cover is recommended. - Binoculars – Quality optics make a big difference. Swarovski, Leica, Vortex, Maven are some of the best. For a very inexpensive but quality pair I recommend the Vortex Diamondbacks. 10 x 42 is the best all around size and I highly recommend a harness. FHF Gear makes the best harness in the industry. A tripod is optional but can be a very nice addition for glassing long periods.
- Rifle and Ammo – This is the #1 most important piece of gear you will bring. I cannot stress enough how
important it is that you bring a rifle you are confident and well practiced with. Any caliber above .260 will work when paired with appropriate loads, although elk are tough animals and you certainly can’t overkill one. With modern technology, long range rifles are becoming very popular and shooting over 500 yards is very attainable. My advice is to shoot as far and as often as you possibly can before you come. The further you can be proficient the better chances you will have success. We will always try to get as close as possible and on average shots are under 300 yards, but given the terrain a long range rifle does have a clear advantage in the right hands. This is the one area you cannot be over prepared for, it is your sole job on this hunt to make sure you are the best marksman you can be. 2 boxes of ammo are recommended. - (2) Water bottles – I prefer a bladder type bottle like Platypus 1L and 2L but anything will work
- Sleeping bag and pillow – You will be sleeping on padded cots in wall tent with a heater, I prefer a more comfortable rectangular bag rated for around 15-0 degrees and a small pillow.
- Medications – Any prescription medications as well as some basic stuff like Ibuprofen, allergy medication, cold medicine, vitamin C, cough drops, etc that you might need.
- Toiletries
- Blister Kit – Moleskin, LeukoTape, and Antibiotic ointment is what I like to carry.
- Hand warmers
- Glassing pad (Optional to some, you won’t catch me without one) Thermarest Z pads are cheap
- Duffle Bag (Stone Glacier STOHL bags in Large are perfect but anything works)
- Headlamp ( + Extra Batteries!)
- Camera
- Knife (One pocket type knife, guides will have knives for game processing)
Booking Information
Interested in booking this trip? If you have not yet received pricing please request it here, and be sure to reference the trip number at the top of this page. Please note that reservations are not considered finalized until agreed upon deposit is received. This ensures agreed upon dates and current pricing. Quality outfitters are in high demand so let us know right away, as some trips do book years in advance.
Trip Includes:
- Professional Guiding
- Field Care of Game harvested
- Meals & Lodging for the scheduled hunt days
- Logistical assistance Pre/Post hunt
- Application assistance of necessary tags & license
- Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Wolf on every hunt when appropriate tags are purchased!
Not Included:
- 6% Idaho Tax
- 3% Federal Use Tax
- Idaho License and Tag(s).
- Personal and hunting gear (See a suggested gear list).
- Transportation to and from trailheads.
- Charter flights & Lodge stays (where necessary).
- Trip Insurance is highly recommended for any backcountry trip.
- While a tip is not required, it is very much appreciated, and guides often depend on them a supplemental income. Learn how much to tip a hunting guide.
- Taxidermy
- Meat Processing
When you’re ready to book, if you haven’t already ask your Outdoors International Consultant for updated pricing.
If it looks good, your consultant will write up a booking agreement for you. Remember, our service is free to you. There are no added costs.