Idaho Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear Blog

December Archery Elk and Mountain Lion Combo

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:11:20 GMT

You read that right! Archery elk hunting in December! Not your normal time to pursue elk with a bow, I know, but can be very effective as elk are generally bunched up a bit more that time of year and with archery equipment, it is an either sex tag, so if you are simply looking to get out and chase the elusive wapiti, this may be a great opportunity for you. It is for us for sure. We just got our hands on 2 Salmon A tags which allow for archery hunting of elk in Idaho’s unit 28.

What makes unit 28 so special? Glad you asked. You see, there is no September archery season in area 28, so it is the only place in the west (that I am familiar with) that elk get to be elk and not get harassed during breeding season, so elk numbers are fairly healthy for this Central Idaho unit.

Now, add on a lion hunt with that, it might be fair to call this an “ultimate” big game combo. Okay, that may be a stretch, but while you are out with your bow each day, our hounds man will be out searching for tracks of some big ol’ Tom for you to follow to a tree. Think about it. While you are out pursuing 1 elk, you would also be pursuing a predator that eats dozens of elk in a year. Pretty fair trade in my mind. Make it after December 14, and you can add bobcat to that possibility.

You gotta act fast. This opportunity ends when we have to give the tags back on July 31.

George

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.