Frank church idaho

[vandeman17]

Looking in to possibly elk hunting in the frank church next season for the last week of September. Not looking for spots but just thoughts from anyone that has recently hunted in there. How are the wolves? Of course we will have at least one wolf tag 

[sirmissalot]

We are planning a muley hunt in an area we scouted this past spring while bear hunting in the frank church. We saw a lot more deer than elk, and killed a couple bears while we didn't see any wolves but they are certainly around. My dad did shoot one that turned out to be a coyote 

Beautiful country thats for sure.

[fishngamereaper]

Ive hunted it a few years and seems elk numbers are dropping. Elk are still there, but they moved more to the steeper and deeper(all of the frank is steep and deep). The drop camps are getting really popular. My advice would be drive in as far as you can and be willing to hike a few miles. Get between the road hunters and the areas the drop camp guys can access.  And I would buy a deer tag for sure.

[grade-creek-rd]

There are no roads into the Frank Church...it's a wilderness area, but you can hike into it (or ride horses). Most of the people that hunt it fly into one of the many airstrips...you can read all about it if you have a Sept. issue of Successful Hunter Magazine.

I've done this hunt 8 times...and am going back next year. Last year I saw more elk than all of the other years combined, as the wolves are finally starting to get the heck out of dodge when the hunting season's start and people show up...the elk don't leave.

Good luck, there is a lot of info out there as well as call G & S aviation out of Cascade and ask George about it.

Grade-Creek-Rd

[vandeman17]

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated

[SemperFidelis97]

You can look into McCall air as well I haven't heard of G&S, but they may be cheaper.  I have heard things have been improving in the Church I may look at going in the next couple years.

[grade-creek-rd]

G & S is George and Sharon Doris...George is the son of the pilot who founded McCall Air (killed in a car crash is Boise years ago)...Mike Doris is George's brother...after their fathers death they sold McCall Air. George moved to Cascade and started G & S Aviation, which is teamed up with Arnonld Aviation (anyone who has flown Idaho's backcountry has seen one of Arnolds planes...they are white with a red stripe on the wings). George is a retired Air Force Pilot as well...grew up in the area and is the only pilot I trust...just letting everyone know as he might not be as popular as McCall Air (who hires seasonal pilots...no thank you, I want a person who lives the life!)

He also flies two different planes...a smaller Cesna 185 (good for a group of 2 guys) and an Islander (twin engine) that has a payload of 1700 pounds (you can put more in it but he charges per pound after 1700 as it might take him more than one trip depending on bulk).

Grade

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I talked to a guy who walks in for the day and camps on the edge of the church.  In September they got some very nice mulies and one 5pt bull.  Saw a lot more mulies bigger than the ones they shot too.  Id say it would be worth it.

[WA hunter14]

there are roads that go into it the boundary of the wilderness area has big fingers that allow the roads to go up in there, i hunted it this year for and it was tuff. heard wolves every night and saw no elk (when i was hunting bu have seen them in there before). i actually saw 0 mule deer but i did see a whitetail buck and some whitetail does, when i came out of the FC wilderness i shot a 135 whitetail and saw 25 head of elk 2 of them spikes but they were just outside of the unit so i didnt shoot one. overall from my experiences and the people i know who have hunted there the last 30 years the elk are few and far between the wolves bears and cats are all over but if you hunt the late rifle in november and get lucky enough to get 2 feet of snow you might find some elk.

[grade-creek-rd]

Well I guess that's why nobody goes in via road/hike...fly in and you'll see anywhere from 10 to 30 bucks a day, well over 100 deer a day, and elk if you look/hike a bit...once in a while you hear of someone seeing or hearing a wolf...but then again that's all from the runway. If you spike out you'll do even better!

Grade

[vandeman17]

I would actually be packing in about nine miles so hopefully that would get us away from most hunters.

[WA hunter14]

depending on where your thinking about going in, when i went there was supposed to be 2 feet of snow on the grade i had to drive down so i left the horses and trailer at home. next year im going in a place that people i know suggested and it is 20 miles in on horses.

[Mr Mykiss]

I would actually be packing in about nine miles so hopefully that would get us away from most hunters.

I know the guys that pack in 8 miles do extremely well. You guys should do even better!!

[vandeman17]

I would actually be packing in about nine miles so hopefully that would get us away from most hunters.

I know the guys that pack in 8 miles do extremely well. You guys should do even better!!

That is what I am hoping for. My main goal is to call in a bull for my old man. After that, everything else is just gravy

[vandeman17]

Well, I just put down my deposit for the drop camp in the frank church for my dad and myself. Excited to see the look on my old mans face when I give him his "present" 

[Skyvalhunter]

I sure he will be excited all winter long looking forward to the hunt.

[vandeman17]

I sure he will be excited all winter long looking forward to the hunt.

He doesn't actually retire until June but going to give it to him in February for his birthday. Can't wait until June because that is past all the permit deadlines so we have to have our decisions made prior to that. It's going to be really hard for me not to tell him for two more months! 

[cbond3318]

Awesome stuff man!

[DRENALINJUNKIE]

It would also be a good Christmas present

[vandeman17]

It would also be a good Christmas present

I thought about making it a Christmas/birthday/retirement present but probably will just make it a bday/retirement present

[deerhuntr4885]

Who is taking you in?

[vandeman17]

Who is taking you in?

Wild idaho outfitters

[Elkrunner]

I cant wait to hear about this one when you get back.  Can you stuff me in a duffle bag or something?

[bugs n bones]

G & S is George and Sharon Doris...George is the son of the pilot who founded McCall Air (killed in a car crash is Boise years ago)...Mike Doris is George's brother...after their fathers death they sold McCall Air. George moved to Cascade and started G & S Aviation, which is teamed up with Arnonld Aviation (anyone who has flown Idaho's backcountry has seen one of Arnolds planes...they are white with a red stripe on the wings). George is a retired Air Force Pilot as well...grew up in the area and is the only pilot I trust...just letting everyone know as he might not be as popular as McCall Air (who hires seasonal pilots...no thank you, I want a person who lives the life!)

He also flies two different planes...a smaller Cesna 185 (good for a group of 2 guys) and an Islander (twin engine) that has a payload of 1700 pounds (you can put more in it but he charges per pound after 1700 as it might take him more than one trip depending on bulk).

Grade

I've flown with both brothers when they still owned McCall air...Great guys and very knowledgeable.

[bugs n bones]

Travis bullock of mile high outfitter is the guy to go with back there

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[GUscottie]

Glad to hear you put down the deposit! Can't wait to hear the results...

[buglebrush]

Watch for Cats.  Lots of those buggers in there!  I absolutely love the Church!