Idaho or Montana drop camp hunts

[lilshootergirl]

I need some advise on drop camps? I really want to get the nicest bull I can without spending $4, plus I want a back country hunt to remember and a beautiful bull to hang on my wall. I will also buy other tags too just I case. I don't want much.  :-) I have lots of time to check out areas of interest. Montana, Idaho? I think Wyoming is out? Dec. 31st?

[vandeman17]

Going on a drop camp hunt this fall in Idaho and did one a few years back in Oregon. What weapon are you looking for and what "style" of hunt?

[7mag.]

My advice is too reavaluate your excpectations. There are no guarantees in hunting. To expect to shoot a certain class of animal on an over the counter tag, is unrealistic. Many people think that because they paid for an outfitted hunt, that there are more and bigger animals. That's not how it works. I suggest that you should expect to have a great time, see some beautiful country, hunt hard and enjoy the experience. You may or may not tag out, and if you do, you should understand that any hard earned backcountry animal is a trophy. Have fun, the wilderness is a special place.

[vandeman17]

My advice is too reavaluate your excpectations. There are no guarantees in hunting. To expect to shoot a certain class of animal on an over the counter tag, is unrealistic. Many people think that because they paid for an outfitted hunt, that there are more and bigger animals. That's not how it works. I suggest that you should expect to have a great time, see some beautiful country, hunt hard and enjoy the experience. You may or may not tag out, and if you do, you should understand that any hard earned backcountry animal is a trophy. Have fun, the wilderness is a special place.

  x100

[h2ofowlr]

My advice is too reavaluate your excpectations. There are no guarantees in hunting. To expect to shoot a certain class of animal on an over the counter tag, is unrealistic. Many people think that because they paid for an outfitted hunt, that there are more and bigger animals. That's not how it works. I suggest that you should expect to have a great time, see some beautiful country, hunt hard and enjoy the experience. You may or may not tag out, and if you do, you should understand that any hard earned backcountry animal is a trophy. Have fun, the wilderness is a special place.

  x100

Very sound advice!  Those that want specific sized animals are they ones who pay the big bucks for them in many cases.  Pay to play as they say.

[theleo]

7mag has pretty well said it. There's no garuante with any sort of public land hunting. In GENERAL a back country drop camp means you get to hunt animals that don't get pressured as much as those closer to civilization.

Here's an idea as for what you might realistically expect from a back country drop camp hunt. While I don't go the outfitter route myself the 2 bulls on the right were taken within a 10 minute walk from where the outfitter in that area had a drop camp the week before. They are OTC archery bulls and while they aren't wall hangers to me, they do represent some great weeks spent in beautiful country in Idaho with no competition or worry about other hunters.

The bull on the left was taken in the same country with s limited draw rifle tag. I'd missed a nicer bull a few days earlier but the unique thing that goes towards this conversation, is that he was with multiple cows and a couple other bulls similar in size. I had multiple cows spot me on the open hillside 200 yards from them and they never spooked. Just looked at me and kept walking. They see little to no pressure so it makes hunting them much different than elk hunting where they spot you from a 1/4 mile away and bolt.

Plan on beautiful country, good memories, and if you get a 300"+ bull consider a bonus and not the basis for a successful hunt.

[lilshootergirl]

I guess I'm tired of hunting spikes! I have 12pts for quality bulls not sure I'll get drawn. I did finally got drawn for a cow, a 350 yard shot, i can shoot and hunt. I was wondering if I drive over to montan or Idaho which region I should hike and check' thinking I should do it on my own' as I have always done it. Being retired I'm lucky to have the option, thank god! Thank you for your thoughts

[theleo]

I guess I'm tired of hunting spikes! I have 12pts for quality bulls not sure I'll get drawn. I did finally got drawn for a cow, a 350 yard shot, i can shoot and hunt. I was wondering if I drive over to montan or Idaho which region I should hike and check' thinking I should do it on my own' as I have always done it. Being retired I'm lucky to have the option, thank god! Thank you for your thoughts

You still need to let us know if you are thinking rifle hunting, archery, muzzle loader, or any of the above? What weapon makes a big difference. My archery tag, for example, is an OTC any elk tag for that region the entire month of September. The rifle tag is any bull but is a draw for that specific unit for the latter part of October and into November.

[lilshootergirl]

Rifle' looking at the pack string really gets me so excited' I've been riding since I was 2, I still do a lot of trail riding. I'm starting my new filly at the moment. Buckskin she's twice roan

[lilshootergirl]

Theloe' that's sounds like a place to go' I just don't know where to go in Idaho?

[2MANY]

Idaho.
Look for a guide hunting around The Craigs in the FC River of No Return.

[lilshootergirl]

I marked those areas on my idaho map and headed there in May thank you, for your advise, not easy to pick an area and state and learn rules, areas, boundries,. Don't want to step on toes! I'm getting older and I'm afraid my body won't let me hunt hard as when I was younger, also I've had people tell me that I need to carry a biggest pistol than a 38 so' really? That grizz is a problem? Thought shot placement was the most important over caliber?

[92xj]

Shot placement doesn't mean jack if you're bullet doesn't penetrate and reach the vital that makes the shot placement perfect.

[300rum]

So, You have your own horses?

[lilshootergirl]

My horses are fit to hunt Idaho or Montana ones 18 the other is just settling into herself but she going to be great mountain horse mother cases her she just goes where want her too, her temperament is one in a million. But not ready yet for hunting' thank you everyone for your points and advice, I don't expect a boon and crocket elk, just tired of spikes, something larger would be nice, nothing wrong with brow tines!

[StringShot]

I've got a Selway A tag, have been trying to find someone to do a drop camp with, most outfitters are already booked or don't accept one person. My plan right now though is to backpack in to unit 17, I have a friend who has a lodge on the Selway, he usually has a care taker there year round so I'm going to leave my vehicle there and get dropped off at the nearest TH. I've never elk hunted this area but have beat hunted from my friends lodge and have seen lots of elk and some huge whitetails.
If anyone is interested in going with or has a spot in their camp PM me!

[tonymoe]

My partner and I went with josh at sun canyon lodge out of Augusta, mt 2 years ago. Strictly drop camp with our own gear. We basically paid him to carry are stuff and is in 16 miles deep in the most Gorgeous elk country the bob Marshall has to offer for 10 days of the archery season.
Well we shot deer, but never heard or seen an elk. We did hear a lot of wolves. I thought I was going to come home with a decent bull elk, it was very disappointing. I guess what I'm saying, is drop camps are a great hunting experience, but they are NO guarantees you will harvest.

Would I use sun canyon again? Absodamnlutley! But I would go with a rifle when there is snow. We found out pretty early in the hunt that it's catered to more of a winter hunt. The only way out for the elk migration was right through our camp! But it didn't snow enough to drive them lower.