Selway Bitterroot Elk Drop Camp 2019

[birddogdad]

Well i thought i would start this thread ahead of my upcoming hunt. I will try to run a diary to post up here for anyone interested.

Last fall a hunting friend invited me to join a drop camp back country elk hunt for this fall. i was a bit hesitant as i don't normally dump money like this strait up to any outfitters, rather, just go on my own. The draw to me was rifle B tag in the rut , mid September will all 5 species in play (elk, deer, wolf, bear and cougar). So, after some consideration, i am in with 5 other hunters. Horse in 13 Sept , out 25 Sept.

Been interesting so far, making sure i am spooled up for this remote setup. Historically i have a trailer full of my junk for every scenario from a basecamp, even having a freezer in one of the 2 pull behind enclosed trailers we bring to camp. This remote setup has me a bit nervous and i am creating lists and revisiting over and over to make sure i don't have brain fade and forget something!

Another change that i have never hunted is during the rut with vast open areas and drainages. Normally rifle is very much post rut in WA here and boots on ground over 20+ years has for me, been the difference in locating those "honey holes" to check every season. Never needing to make noise before, I am learning the basics toward calling as well. I welcome any and all sound advice or input and will try to post updates with my lessons and encounters.

b

[vandeman17]

First and foremost, good luck on your hunt and make sure to soak it all in. I find some people place too much pressure on killing, especially when its a trip with an outfitter. I have been on two drop camp hunts and going on my third this september. My advice as far as gear goes is to lay out what you plan to bring well in advance of leaving. Go through a few days in your head of what your day will consist of and match your gear to that. Our first drop camp, we brought WAY too much stuff and each year we have narrowed it down to be more streamlined. Being prepared is good but bringing tons of "well we might need" type items are a quick way to upset your packer and just add to the clutter of camp. I will be in 10 days and can fit all my hunting clothes and camp clothes into one regular sized duffel bag. Food is the same way in that I have learned to be more efficient and instead of bringing lots of random snacks and food, try to bring things that can be used in multiple ways and are calorie dense. Mid September is longer days so you will be getting up early and getting back late. Simple and easy is your friend. I could go on much longer but that is a start 

[Rimrock hunter]

Wish you good luck on your hunt, enjoy the pack in horse trip, as they are a lot of fun. There is nothing better than getting miles in from the nearest road. What area of the Selway Bitterroot are you going to hunt? Been in there with horses four times. Once you find the honey holes, you will find elk. Take in plenty of cow in heat urine, as it really works in that brush where they hang out.

[2MANY]

Shoot me a PM

[wheels]

sounds like good time 

[pd]

Good luck, BirdDogDad!!

[adamR]

Which outfitter are you using?  We will also be hunting Selway B but we are backpacking without an outfitter.

[CavemantheHunter]

Good luck. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions. Which GMU are you guys focusing on? I'll be backpacking in again this year with the B Tag as well.

[andrew_in_idaho]

Wish you good luck on your hunt, enjoy the pack in horse trip, as they are a lot of fun. There is nothing better than getting miles in from the nearest road. What area of the Selway Bitterroot are you going to hunt? Been in there with horses four times. Once you find the honey holes, you will find elk. Take in plenty of cow in heat urine, as it really works in that brush where they hang out.

Leave the cow in heat urine at home as it is illegal in Idaho


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[trophyelk6x6]

Should be good wolf hunting.