Idaho Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear Blog

Time to Think About Booking Your Spring 2027 Idaho Black Bear Hunt

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:53:00 GMT

Idaho’s 2026 spring black bear season literally just ended. Thankfully, fall bear season is only 2 months away so there is still a chance to hunt bears in Idaho in 2026.

This past Idaho spring black bear season was one for the books, with active baits, opportunities, beautiful bears, great people and full camps. We are grateful for all who hunted with us and believe that we made some friends along the way.

Opportunity rate was better than it has been for a few years and as you can see from the photo, some bears are already planting “seeds” for future years!

If you haven’t hunted Idaho (yet) for black bear, we have a couple openings this fall, but if your fall is already booked up, now may be a great time to start thinking (and planning) for an Idaho spring black bear hunt in 2027!

Good luck in the woods this fall, happy hunting and be sure to take a kid along!

George

Got Tags?

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Here we are knocking on the tail end of big game application season 2026. Have you drawn a tag yet? To be fair, there is one week left on Idaho’s 2026 big game application season and there may be some states that haven’t drawn yet, but we are getting down to the short rows of needing to make plans if we intend to hunt fall of 2026.

Idaho has a great system where outfitters have allocated tags for hunters who choose to hunt with an Idaho outfitter. Sadly, I can hear it now, “I don’t need no stinking outfitter to hunt.” Well, maybe you don’t, but have you considered a DIY drop camp type hunt? Some outfitters offer those and they come with tags for the species you are after. We happen to be one of those outfitters and actually have a few tags remaining for the 2026 Idaho elk and deer hunting season.

Or maybe a fully guided hunt where camp is set, guides are ready, a cook is in camp and if you are lucky in harvesting what you are pursuing, someone else packs your game out. Really doesn’t sound that bad now, does it?

Now please don’t take this wrong but tags don’t equate to dead animals. They only equate to the opportunity to get off the couch and into the woods this fall and pursue your choice of elk, deer, bear and/or wolf on your own terms. This Central Idaho country is NOT for the faint of heart, so if it has been a while since you have ridden a horse, seen the inside of a gym or actually pushed away from the all you can eat buffet early, this may not be the country for you, but there is still time to join that gym, get in a walking routine with your wife (or girlfriend as long as your wife doesn’t know about her), start riding a horse with that friend that keeps inviting you to or simply ride that stationary bike and read up on world news or watch your favorite hunting podcasts. Either way, there is still time to be able to take advantage of one of falls oldest traditions of being outside and exploring the woods with family and friends rather than counting your points and hoping that “next year” you will draw a tag.

So, contact us today to book your 2026 Idaho hunting experience or contact any Idaho outfitter in an area you have always wanted to explore, but as our friends at Nike used to say, “Just do it”.

Happy hunting and remember to take a kid along!

George

Couple Spots Still Available for 2026 Idaho Spring Bear Season

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:42:58 GMT

It’s only April 15 and some Idaho areas are just opening up to spring bear season literally today. We have been open for 2 weeks and out putting bait out.

We sell bear bait here in Challis, Idaho and what is fun about that is getting to meet a bunch of bear hunters throughout the state. I have been asking some of my regulars to call me and let me know when the bears start hitting their baits as many have speculated on an early season this year.

Well, last week I got the call. One of my long-time customers called and said his first bear hit and that is almost 3 full weeks earlier than normal.

It is seriously time to get out and hunt Idaho spring bears and here is why. Central Idaho, compared to other parts of the west, is a true an anomaly. It is such a large piece of public roadless real estate that (in my opinion) the only 2 things that really affect our elk, deer and antelope populations is weather and predators and with these last few mild winters we have had, the survival rate has been good for those species, but more prey makes for more feed for predators.

It seems like all the “bad press” on elk number declines gets blamed on wolves, but we must not forget that black bears are predators too and need to be managed. So, if you don’t have plans for spring bear hunting in Idaho (yet) give us, another outfitter or at least get out yourself to do your part to protect our elk, deer and antelope babies that will be hitting the ground very soon!

Good luck, happy hunting and remember to take a kid hunting with you!

George

Time to Apply for Formerly OTC Tags this Year in Idaho

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:08:26 GMT

Seems the only constant in life is change and that adage seems to hold especially true in the hunting world. It seems to me that meetings are held and changes made “just because” every year and this year is no different!

Beginning December 5, 2025, nonresidents who want to hunt elk and deer in formerly OTC units will need to apply for those tags. The application period runs from December 5 to 15, 2025 with results being posted in early January 2026.

Now that we are 5 days into this process, what have we learned? One thing to remind you of is that these are only for formerly OTC tags and this draw is not about any trophy species (Moose, Sheep, or Mountain Goats), nor does it involve controlled hunts for elk, deer, bear, or antelope. These applications and draws will still take place in the spring.

Second thing we learned is that Idaho is NOT a “techy” state and do seem to make what you think would be easy, as challenging as they can. So, to apply it appears to be a three-step process.

1. Review the regs supplemental section to learn the number of the hunt you want you apply for.

2. Purchase your license online.

3. Then and only then do you need to click on (from your own personal account of course) the “Submit An Application” button and with the knowledge you gained from step one, you can now apply for a tag.

You can apply for up to 5 hunt choices on each application so it would seem that you are more than likely to get a tag, it simply may be your last-choice hunt if you apply for more than one.

We apologize for the repeated emails in this period to remind you. Not to be a pain, but because we often get busy and say, “I’ll apply tomorrow”, then the 16th shows up and now you are stuck hunting with an outfitter who still has tags instead of being able to hunt on your own. So, think of these emails as simply “gentle reminders” to stop procrastinating and apply for those tags you think you want to be able to continue your tradition of hunting in some of the lower 48’s most amazing country…Idaho!

Finally, if you want help, advice or just to vent about the drawing process, please contact us and we will be happy to assist or simply listen.

Best of luck in the draw and most importantly, always remember to take a kid hunting with you!

George