Idaho Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear Blog

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

Cancellation Hunt

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 20:09:22 GMT

Somebody must have drawn some lucky tag somewhere because we had a last-minute cancellation. We have room for 3 to 4 hunters opening week of our combo season. We have 3 elk and 4 deer tags available for October 14-20, 2025.

Combo hunting in Central Idaho is one of the coolest ways to be able to get out and pursue multiple big game animals including elk, deer, bear and wolf.

If you haven’t drawn a tag or made final plans for this fall yet contact us about this hunt during opening week in Central Idaho’s Salmon River Mountains. This is a horseback hunt. Our camp is a drive in, but after that getting around is done on horseback, so it is best to be comfortable on a horse.

With the last few mild winters and the sheer numbers of game animals we saw last year and antlers growing this spring, we have very high expectations for this fall’s hunts!

So, check on your friends draw results, and if you drew the same “unsuccessful” tag, you still have a chance to hunt this fall.

Good luck!

Idaho’s 2025 Spring Black Bear Season is Officially Open

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 21:22:02 GMT

It’s officially official; Idaho’s 2025 Spring Bear Hunting season is finally open…just in time for a spring snowstorm of course, but hopes are still high for an amazing season this year. It has been a fairly mild winter, and the hills are showing more dirt every day. We are already heading out to get the baits set and camps ready.

If you haven’t made plans for your spring bear season yet, or you simply have a bad case of cabin fever, why don’t you give an Idaho spring hunt a try this year? We are offering fully guided over bait, behind hounds or spring bear hunt drop camps this year. There should be an option for anyone interested in getting out and chasing these Idaho bruins.

Happy hunting! Get out and enjoy YOUR public lands! And, as always, take a kid along!

Idaho’s 2025 Spring Black Bear Season is Just Around the Corner

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:00:00 GMT

I know, I know, the holidays just got over and it is still cold and white outside, but what a perfect time to begin thinking about what is truly important, where are you going to hunt spring bear this season?

Idaho’s 2025 spring bear season, I predict, is going to be one for the record books. Why? I am so glad you asked.

1. First, last fall’s berry crop was non-existent. Bears were out late scrounging for whatever they could find to eat and probably even cheering on would be deer and elk hunters, so that they could take a turn at a gut pile for some pre-winter calories.

2. Because of such a lackluster berry crop last fall, I predict that the bears will exit their dens far earlier than “normal” this year seeking to pick up on some lost calories from last fall.

3. This winter has started slow and continued so far to be very mild. What does that have to do with bears you ask? Now I am no biologist, but without heavy snow, big game survival (deer, elk, and antelope) will hopefully be much greater than usual leaving not that many carcasses for bears exiting their winter slumber hideouts to eat, so they head out on a journey for food that they will certainly find in abundance at our bait sites.

4. We will have lots of those bait sites loaded heavily with some of the best tasting (yes, of course we taste our bear bait) icings and sugar laden goodies you can imagine. A hungry bear will not be able to resist them, and we will keep the baits full, so the bears always have goodies to come back to!

5. If, on the off chance we get one of those sneaky nocturnal type bears, we will have dogs on hand as back up in case the need arises to get the job done.

6. Oftentimes, bear baiting gets a bad rap from the nonhunting world, but studies have proven that bear baiting is the best way to protect females with their young as new babies are almost always right at their momma’s side as she fills her belly at our bait sites. These females with cubs are protected and add an additional level of enjoyment in just enjoying watching “the show” as the cubs learn to navigate the woods with their mothers.

So, as you find yourself getting back to “normal” life after the holidays, why don’t you break up the daily doldrums by asking one of your coworkers, friends, relatives or best of all one of your own kids, nieces or nephews if they would like to join you out in Idaho for an opportunity at one of Idaho’s famous color phase black bears and Contact Us to book your hunt.

Hope to see you in the woods! And, as always, remember to take a kid hunting!

Idaho Big Game Application Season 2024

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Let the games begin! This year it seems as though it took almost missing the application deadline and then finding out 2 short weeks later that I drew an Idaho spring turkey tag, to realize, oh, yeah, it is “application season” in the western states and Idaho is not exempt from this seasonal activity.

I guess I am showing my age when I can say, “I remember when you just bought a tag and went hunting”. But sadly, those days are indeed behind us now. Here in Idaho though, while we are still blessed enough to have over the counter or “OTC” tags available, some zones do require even residents to plan ahead and purchase as soon as they come available.

Although we do still have many OTC opportunities, there is indeed still a need to draw for the “trophy” species as Idaho labels them. Some states refer to them as “OIL” or “once in a lifetime tags” and that is the reason for this gentle reminder.

Coming up in April is the time to apply for sheep, mountain goat and moose here in Idaho and this year we are offering guided sheep and moose hunts for anyone lucky enough to draw a bighorn sheep or moose in one of our outfitting areas.

Oddly enough, although we seem to see mountain goats each year, we operate in one of the areas where no goat tags are issued, so we don’t have the opportunity to pursue that species, but if you have interest in one of the others, either moose or sheep and are not sure where to apply, where we operate or even just want to talk hunting, contact us and we will happily discuss which hunts we believe will work for you!

As always, happy hunting and be sure to take a kid along with you!

Winter 23-24 Predator Hunting (Mt. Lion/Wolf/Bobcat)

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:05:00 GMT

It’s winter again here in Idaho and that can only mean one thing! Wyley can’t function without thinking about chasing mountain lions! I swear the boy was born for this and simply wants to do it as often as possible.

What does that mean for you? It is time to book that Idaho predator hunt you have always been talking or thinking about but haven’t pulled the trigger on. We have openings for 2 more hunters this winter (2023-2024) between now and when the snow quits flying.

Speaking of snow. Lion hunts are always a bit more successful right behind fresh snow, so this year we are offering “last minute” hunts to those who are close enough or have the freedom enough, to “jump and run” when the forecast says there will be snow. We will be conducting these hunts from late February through April. Our pre-scheduled hunts will be in January and early February as it seems that those are the most consistent snow months here in central Idaho.

For the “last minute” hunts there is no commitment required on your part other than to put your name on a list. We will start contacting people first come first served to see who might be available when the weather seems that it wants to cooperate.

If this sounds like something you may be interested in or you already know you want to hunt an Idaho mountain lion this winter for sure, please contact us and let’s get you on the schedule or the list asap!

It’s Easier to Find Your Favorite When There’s Lots of Choices

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 22:30:00 GMT

Hi, my name is Tia Hansen (daughter of Kelly Swingruber and George McQuiston). Mom is the head packer and George is the owner of Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters. Mom and I ride about 2,000 miles a year from packing bear bait to taking people for a joy ride and to getting people with their gear to drop camps and back plus packing dead animals.

Being an outfitter’s kid can mean a lot of things. One of them means you not only get to ride a certain horse, but you also have a lot of options. Starting with an old and wise quarter horse mare named Annie (still my favorite horse to this day), next a thoroughbred mare named Blesser who could out travel everything we had when we long trotted, then a stubborn mule named Foster (still my favorite mule to this day). Another favorite is Annie’s daughter Shadow, I was leading pack strings off her when she was only 4! Now I also ride a little young mule named Hermosa which is Spanish for beautiful. I am currently starting a filly named Tornado (and no she is not a bronc she just has a strip on her face that looks like a tornado) who is also out of Annie. I love to ride our stallion also, he is laid back and mellow.

Annie is 27 this year and is carrying another baby, she is still my favorite horse because all my siblings and I learned to ride on her, and she took great care of us. She knows the difference between a beginner and an advanced person, she knows steep country, how to work cows, and I think my family (except George, he likes his horse named Diesel) could all agree that Annie is still the favorite! On the other hand Foster (the mule) recently passed in November of 2021. He is what we called one of our A team mules. I rode him miles and miles and miles in the back country, and even tried to show him in 4-h but he didn’t want any part of it so I just decided to ride him in the mountains. Sometimes Foster wouldn’t let anyone but me catch him because he knew where all the treats came from! Or if we were on a trip and his favorite horse wasn’t there (George’s horse Diesel) Foster would travel all the way home to be with him. He also threw me off a few times. I know you are probably thinking why did you like him so much? Well, it’s because he took care of me and in return, I did the same, and eventually he quit doing most of those bad things. I also remember one time we were on a really steep narrow trail, and everyone got off to walk but me. Before I came along he did his fair share of packing, Foster was George’s mule at first but then I started riding him and stole him fair and square!

People often ask me do you remember your first ride? Was it scary? How old were you when you first started riding? The truth is I don’t remember my first ride! I don’t remember being scared. Because I started riding horses in my mother’s womb!

So, if you want to ride 2,000 miles a year, I would suggest you have at least a few good animals that you love and cherish!

Contributed by Tia (Assistant Wrangler for Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters)

How Long You Been Doin This?

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:30:00 GMT

I frequently get asked the question, “How long have you been doing this?”. By this, I take it to mean packing a multiplicity of goods on mules and horses in the wilderness and back country. Or do they mean throwing a leg over a horse/mule and riding?

My “ending up as a packer” has a long history of knowledge bumps & bruises, joys & happiness, extreme heat & cold, a plethora of scenic beauty and of course a stream of cuss words over the years.

I first “threw a leg over a horse” at 4 years of age. It wasn’t exactly a horse, and it wasn’t exactly broke either! Apparently my first word after the regular Momma and Daddy was HORSE. And from what I understand that word was incessantly used until a Shetland Pony was purchased for me when I was 4. Now my well-meaning parents, knowing not much about equines, bought a yearling un-broke stallion Shetland pony for a 4-year-old to learn to ride. Turns out, I was more stubborn and un-broke than that pony and learn to ride, I did – no saddle, no formal lessons. In fact, this pony stayed a stallion til he was 9 years old. I started dragging mares home and getting him gelded was a necessity to say the least.

After and during Shetland pony time, I convinced Dad I needed something bigger to ride and he bought a couple of $100 “shitters” for me. Turns out that for that kind of money you don’t get broke or well-trained horses of good breeding but I rode them anyway. Sometimes I rode them as fast as they could run away with me through fences and bogs. Some were too crazy to keep. Some turned out pretty good.

Dad used to take me to live horse racing as a kid and I loved watching the speed and beauty of running horses. We watched thoroughbreds and quarter horses as well as catching a few sulky races back east. At 17 I went away to college and ended up with my first registered quarter horse, she was a big running bred filly, the type I still love to this day. I spent hours a horseback riding hills, plains & mountains. To this day, I never have bought a broke, trained horse, I’ve made them myself.

After college I started cowboying “cowgirling” and with that started packing salt to cows on mountain allotments. Now packing salt is pretty simple. Just throw 2 blocks in bags, aka panniers, on each side of a horse and go. Simple, but….. I was riding colts packing on broncs – not simple. A bronc throwing salt blocks around, hitting the young horse you are riding, wrapping the rope under the tail of your horse on the side of a mountain –potential disaster!

Then in 2014, my kids (Wyley & Tia) and I moved to Challis, Idaho to be with George McQuiston, owner of Wild Idaho Outfitters. Naturally I would be riding with George helping him pack. Packing for outfitting is a little more complicated than packing salt. Of course, George was lucky, haha, in the fact I moved my herd of horses to Challis also. So, we had broke mules of Georges and colts I brought to pack on. The green colts get lots of packing in the spring of bear bait. Simple like packing salt. Even weight in panniers on each side of the animal. They can buck bait out, run it into trees, break piggin strings, lay down, tip over backwards, break open buckets of frosting, etc and no loss!

Come fall, things get serious. We run on timelines and can’t ruin clients’ belongings. We are packing guns, cameras, optics, sleep apnea machines, eggs, whiskey, sleeping bags, boots, etc. We pack heavy even loads on each side plus top pack soft goods. Items must be kept safe from weather and branches snagging & tearing things. We use tarps and lash cinches and lots of fancy knots and hitches like diamonds, double diamonds, basket, basket with crows’ foot, and box hitch, just to name a few. Loads must be meticulously weighed and balanced. A string of preferably mules is put together and down or up the trail we go. I started out helping George and as Wild Idaho Outfitters evolved and Castle Creek Outfitters got purchased and farms got leased to grow more certified hay, everyone got busier. Every year, the kids and I took over more packing. George got busier running businesses and of course guiding. Packing wasn’t always smooth at first. I had unbalanced loads that tipped. I spent a lot of time it seemed getting off, pulling loads back into place and putting rocks in the “lighter” side. I sored a few animals too. One thing I detest the most in the outfitting world is soring animals. Not only does it mean a saddle doesn’t fit correctly or a load is not on properly, but it also means the animal is out of commission.

Through the years Wyley and Tia also have become good packers, they didn’t have a choice!! Wyley has moved on to guiding and being part owner in Castle Creek Outfitters (even though he still helps pack occasionally) and Tia has become my right-hand girl. There are times when George packs still and it’s always enjoyable for both of us. Every year, I enjoy packing more and more. Every year I yearn to lose myself into the wilderness more and more. So, to circle around to the question, “How long have I been doing this?”, the answer is a lifetime and the Good Lord willing, I hope I’ll continue packing for a long long time!

Contributed by Kelly Swingruber (Wrangler for Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters)

Ultimate Hunt Combo Possibilities

Tue, 25 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT

This year, for the first time ever, we are offering what I would consider an ultimate hunting combo.

In our Castle Creek Outfitters area, we have a very unique opportunity to hunt more species at one time than I am aware of anywhere, especially considering most hunts are closed by this time and most people are relegated to sofa surfing, watching hunting channels and patiently waiting for next season.

December, in area 28 of central Idaho only, one can hunt (provided they have the proper tags) elk AND deer with archery equipment. This time frame allows for harvest of either sex of both species, increasing your odds of success with a bow.

Big deal you say? We can already do that in September in most states. Stay with me. This is where it gets good. By December, the snow has begun to fly making tracking of mountain lions possible, add to that some wolf and coyote hunting opportunity and if late enough in December (after December 15th), you can even add bobcat to your wish list making this an amazing combo (in my opinion of course).

All over the counter elk and deer tags sold out within hours this year, but due to special outfitter set aside we are in possession of exactly 2 elk and 2 deer tags, and we want to share them with someone willing to “play in the snow” and chase as many animals at one time as possible.

We would intend to conduct this hunt (obviously) in December, and have you hunt deer and elk on your own during the day while your guide takes off before daylight to seek out fresh lion tracks that he can turn the dogs loose on and get after. When he finds a set to turn the dogs loose on, he would come find you and get after a cat. This would alleviate a lot of the boring down time usually associated with predator hunts and add to the affordability factor we are aiming for with this hunt.

Elk and deer would need to be harvested with archery equipment, but any predator hunting could be done with a firearm allowing better opportunity at wolves and coyotes.

This is our idea, and we are certainly open to others, but keep in mind that there are only 2 elk and 2 deer tags available.

Last minute cancellation: Idaho Mountain Lion, Wolf, Bobcat and Coyote Hunt

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 22:30:00 GMT

With all that has been going on this last little while, we find one of our regular hunters in need of a last-minute cancellation. We thought, no problem, there must be someone out there ready to go “off the grid” on an Idaho backcountry predator hunt to escape some of this madness for a little while.

With all that is happening in the world these days, it just may be what the doctor ordered for a little mental break from the world, so we are offering an amazing deal for up to 2 hunters wanting to take part in a last-minute cancellation on a mountain lion hunt February 1-7…yes, in a little over a week.

Because this hunt is last minute, we are offering a lower base price with a trophy fee per species. During this hunt, you will be able to pursue mountain lion, wolf, bobcat, and coyote. Seems to me this may be the ultimate predator hunt. That puts the onus on us to perform, so even if you harvested 2 or 3 animals you would be less than the “average” western mountain lion hunt these days that carries no guarantees. Contact us for more info.

Dates can fluctuate a little but guides and dogs are lined up for those dates and they are ready to show you an amazing Idaho back country adventure.

Check out this video of some of the dogs who will be guiding you on this hunt and then contact us for more info about this Idaho backcountry mountain lion hunt!

Happy Hunting,

George

P.S. If this hunt doesn’t work with your schedule but you still want to do a hunt like this before March 31 contact us for availability.

Hunting with GPS/Map-Devices: Seeing Outside the Box

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Don’t get me wrong, modern GPS/map-devices, or map apps that make smartphones function like GPS/map-devices, are wonderful tools for the hunter. Being somewhat device challenged, I can only wish I knew how to use them. Some tech-savvy hunters I have run into recently manage to get around in the woods quite well with them. Despite their usefulness at assisting hunters from getting lost, I’ve noticed many GPS/map-device users fail to get the big picture because they can’t see outside the little box held in their hand. Many hunters can pinpoint the exact spot where they stood that morning on a map-device with close-up detail, although they can’t name drainage where they stood. What they don’t see is how the drainages and ridges in their hunting area fit and flow together, or in other words the “lay-of-the-land”.

For centuries humans have divided the geography of the mountainous West by drainages, which includes the all-important ridges between the drainages. For example, the boundaries of many hunting units are based on drainages. The complete hunter must be able to pan-out in their mind and see the entire drainage system in their immediate hunting area. This wide-scope view will enhance your understanding of game movements, as well as enable you to discuss game movement and hunting pressure with people who are familiar with the area such as your guide, local hunters, ranchers, or Forest Service personnel. You can use a GPS/map-device to show where you jumped elk that morning, but you’ll have to pan-out too far to guess where they might have fled to on your device’s small screen. You’ll either have to pan the map out in your head or go to the topo maps. A good method for becoming familiar with the big picture of your hunting area is to hang topo maps in your home or workplace where they are readily visible on a daily basis.

Of course, the ability to see the big picture in your mind, combined with the savvy to operate a GPS/map-device, offers maximum view. A group of three, unguided hunters I met last fall were already well familiar with our hunting area, even so each hunter carried a GPS/map-device of the same make and model. The GPS units not only displayed the user’s position superimposed on a digital topo map, but also revealed the positions of the other 2 companions at the same time. Knowing your companion’s position in a large tract of wilderness can be extremely useful, as well as huge safety consideration. These hunters could dive off a ridge in unison on 3 separate spurs, and remain in parallel formation on the descent. The country here is steep, expansive, and well forested, so keeping track of one’s companion by sight is not an option. Usually one or two of these hunters would use elk calls on their descent, and one or two would remain silent. Without the devices, it would have been difficult for them to stay in formation, decreasing the tactic’s effectiveness, and difficult for them to regroup once they reached the depths of the drainage. Their exceptional unity resulted in outstanding success.

GPS units carried by hunters started out as devices that brought them back to their parked vehicles. Now they are much more, though they’ll still help you from getting lost. Becoming too reliant on them is not a good idea though, as the GPS itself could become lost or stop functioning at the wrong time and place. A GPS/map-device should complement your map-reading and woodsmanship skills—not replace them. Being able to see the lay-of-the-land, outside the box, can bring you back without batteries, as well as improve your hunting success.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Post Season Trail Cam Pics Still Plenty of Bears Left for Next Year

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

We had a successful spring bear season this year, taking several nice bears, half of which were color phase. Game cameras show there are still plenty of bears left in our area to hunt this fall or next spring. For example, bear season closes on the June 30^th and on the evening of June 26^th a hunter sat on a bait until approximately 9:45 pm, by 10:37 pm a nice sized cinnamon bear was chowing down on the bait. The bear had us figured out and was only coming out at night, you say? Presumably, the same cinnamon bear was back for more chow by 7:43 the next morning. After that, the bait was quiet for a while, then presumably the same bear came back again on July 5^th at 1:30 in the afternoon with another adult cinnamon, and a cub appears on a few frames. A client had shot a cinnamon on this same bait early in June, which was the only bear we took off it this spring

Another camera showed 4-5 black bears and 1 cinnamon visited a bait site during the same time frame; only one bear was taken off this bait this spring. Nearly all our baits were literally licked clean by July 7^th, after being rebaited the last week of June. I can’t imagine how many bears inhabit the mountains of Central Idaho, and I don’t believe for a second that anyone knows. Though, I speculate that sport hunting isn’t putting the slightest dent in the population.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Positive Attitudes and Hunting Success

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

When I met my bear-hunting client a few of weeks ago, one of the first things he told me is that he usually has “pretty good luck on hunting trips like this”. As we all know, luck is a good thing to have on one’s side, but it’s difficult to obtain on-demand. Later the hunter informed me that what he really wanted was a nice cinnamon-phase bear, as he had already taken several other color phases of black bear. I told him he had chosen the right area, which he had because Unit 28 produces a high percentage of color-phase bears; though I what I was thinking is, he better pray for a dose of exceptionally good luck. The first evening on bait he shot an absolutely beautiful cinnamon bear with chocolate feet. Positive attitude or just plain luck—you decide which one was the winning factor. Having either one can’t hurt your odds of success and having both is better yet.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Last Chance for Idaho Controlled Hunt Tags

Fri, 29 May 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Time is running out to apply for elk, deer, and pronghorn controlled hunts in Idaho—the deadline being June 5th. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system for controlled hunts, so you have just as good of a chance at drawing a tag as anyone else. All residents and nonresidents need to apply is a general hunting license and pay an application fee of $6.25 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents, per species. The cost of the tag is not paid for until after you have drawn. If successful you will be notified by July 10, and the tag must be purchased by August 1. That’s a pretty fair deal, comparatively speaking.

Castle Creek Outfitters operates in the Salmon B elk-hunting zone, where there are no controlled-hunt elk tags as they are sold over the counter. This year however, nonresident elk tags for Salmon B sold out in just 3 days (Dec. 1–3, 2019), and resident tags sold out within a week of that. Castle Creek Outfitters still has some “outfitter allocated” elk tags left for Salmon B, which are obtainable directly from the outfitter. These offer you the opportunity for a great hunt without having to gamble for controlled-hunt tags. Unit 28 does have an excellent, late-season, controlled-hunt for mule deer, which runs all the way through the rut in November.

This is a highly sought-after tag with only 5 resident and 1 nonresident tags available. Fortunately, for us at Castle Creek Outfitters, we are in possession of the 1 nonresident tag and are able to guide the hunter who chooses to purchase it through us. So, if you or someone you know is in the market for a high quality mule deer hunt in November, contact us and let’s put together a hunt to remember!

If you can hunt the first week in November and choose to, we can add an elk tag to that hunt and make it a combo!

For detailed information and statistics on Idaho controlled hunts click on this link: https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Happy Memorial Day

Fri, 22 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Memorial Day is here again, signaling the unofficial start of summer. There’s much more to it however, than picnics and beaches. Memorial Day is an official Federal Holiday in honor of military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We shouldn’t forget that. Even if you don’t know anyone personally who has given their life for our freedom, you could still visit a national cemetery, attend a parade, or just sit down and reflect on our great country and what it took in lives to make it great.

God bless America,

Joe Cavanaugh

Idaho Resumes Sales of Nonresident Licenses and Tags

Mon, 18 May 2020 12:45:00 GMT

We’re back on track again for spring bear. As of May 16, 2020, Idaho hunting licenses, tags, and permits will be available to buy online, at retail vendors, or by calling (800) 554-8685.

A temporary suspension of some nonresident licenses, permits, and tags sales had been imposed by the Idaho Fish & Game Commission the first week of April, due to COVID-19. This mostly affected tags for black bear, cougar, and gray wolf. The 14-day self-quarantine for people entering Idaho has also been relaxed by the governor. So, if you want to hunt spring bear in Idaho this year, you can now purchase a hunting license and tags, as well as stay in hotels and eat in restaurants here.

For more information on licenses, tags and seasons, see:

https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-will-resume-sales-nonresident-licenses-tags-and-permits-10-am-may-16

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Controlled Hunt Results Got You Down?

Fri, 15 May 2020 05:00:00 GMT

The results for controlled hunts are out for most western states now, or they will be shortly. Hunters are either jumping up and down in exultation that they drew their coveted tag, or they’re staring out the window with a long face because they ended up with a chunk of coal in their stocking. There’s still time to apply for great hunts however, in the 2 states that hold out the longest with their application deadline—Wyoming and Idaho; Wyoming’s deadline being June 1st, for deer and pronghorn, and Idaho’s deadline being June 5th, for elk, deer, and pronghorn.

Castle Creek Outfitters operates in Unit 28, where there is an excellent, late-season, controlled-hunt for mule deer, which runs all the way through the rut in November (Hunt 1018). There are only 5 tags available however, and competition is fierce. There are no controlled-hunt, elk tags for Unit 28 (Salmon B), as they are sold over the counter; however, nonresident elk tags for Salmon B sold out this year in just 3 days (Dec. 1–3, 2019), and resident tags sold out within a week of that. Castle Creek Outfitters still has some “outfitter allocated” elk tags left for Salmon B, which are obtainable directly from the outfitter. These tags offer the opportunity for a great hunt, without having to roll the dice for a tag.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear Opens May 1st

Fri, 01 May 2020 04:01:00 GMT

The tag application period for Idaho controlled-hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, and fall bear tags opens May 1 and runs to June 5. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system for controlled hunts. As a result, hunters have the same odds of drawing a tag the first year they apply as they do any other year.

To apply, residents and nonresidents must have a general hunting license, and pay an application fee of $6.25 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents—per species. Unlike many other states, the cost of the tag is not paid for upfront in Idaho, instead they are purchased after the applicant has drawn. Successful applicants are notified by July 10, and tags must be purchased by August 1. Any tags that are not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited to a second application period, which runs from August 5 to August 15. Hunters who have already applied for a moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat controlled hunt this year may not apply for any other controlled hunt (during the same year).

Castle Creek Outfitters operates in Unit 28, where there is an excellent, late-season, controlled-hunt for mule deer, which runs from October 10, all the way through the rut, to November 30 (Hunt 1018). This hunt has produced some outstanding bucks in the past. There are only 5 tags available however, and competition is fierce. (In controlled hunts with 10 or fewer tags, not more than one nonresident tag is issued). Castle Creek Outfitters also receives 1 “outfitter allocation tag” for this hunt, which is in high demand. There are no controlled-hunt, elk tags or bear tags for Unit 28, as they are all sold over the counter. Nonresident deer and elk tags are also valid to take black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf instead of a deer or elk, if a general season is open for that species.

For detailed information and statistics on Idaho controlled hunts click on this link: https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game

The Wyoming deer and pronghorn tag application period closes June 1 and results come out June 18. The state of Wyoming allows you to purchase preference points only for deer, pronghorn, elk, moose and sheep from July 1 to November 2.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh