Idaho Selway A pack out camps

[Kool-aid]

Hoping I might have seen something at the sportsmans show but did not.

Looking for any recommendations for a pack in/out camp in the Selway A area (16A,17, 19, 20).

This will be my first Idaho hunt and I will be solo.  Thinking that spending the money on getting a good base camp might be worth it.

[2MANY]

Solo Selway!?
I would recommend calling one of the guides.

[WapitiTalk1]

Kool-aid, I agree with 2MANY. That is BIG country. Maybe dig around and find another hunter who drew that tag and link up for a drop hunt if you’re not keen on a straight outfitter hunt.

[mburrows]

Just being completely honest here.  This is one of the most challenging hunts you can do, not just from a physicality stand point but there is not a ton of game around in the Selway. There is reason its an extremely easy tag to get. If youre in it for the adventure then thats great and youll have a blast, but success rates on Selway tags are dismal. If it was me and hunt quality is a bigger priority than adventure, I would be looking for other tag options. If you have the money to spend look at some of the outfitter tag options in Idaho. 

[Kool-aid]

This is going to be a difficult hunt...100% get that.  It wasn't my desired unit...but it is what it is at this point...tag purchased and I'm going for the experience with hopes of finding success.

Figured there will be people with a lot more experience than I have in this area on the forum...I'm open to guide recommendations as well.

I can google outfitters...but first hand experiences with those outfitter recommendations usually fair a little better than an internet seach.

[mburrows]

Right on man, good on ya. Its still an elk tag!

Ill reach out to my friends who have done drop camps in there and had a great outfitter experience and will PM you with the information. Even though they had a tough hunt they really enjoyed their trip because of the outfitter.

[WapitiTalk1]

I don’t believe Bearpaw Outfitters offers hunts that far south in Idaho but he may have a recommendation for an outfit down in the Selway-Bitterroot.  It’s worth a shot 

[big wood]

I have hunted all over the selway. That is big tough country. You can do it but if your by yourself be careful

[Longfield1]

I would highly recommend having some sort of emergency satellite communication device. Either an InReach or the newer iphones with sat capability. Just keep in mind if your at the bottom of the valley you still might not be able to send a text or SOS. Also make sure you make a detailed plan of where your going to be specifically, what your driving, when you plan to be back so on so forth and leave that with someone just in case. 

[MR5x5]

Take few days and travel the Magruder corridor it will give you a good perspective on things.  Pretty humbling.

[Kool-aid]

Take few days and travel the Magruder corridor it will give you a good perspective on things.  Pretty humbling.

Game plan included a couple of trips this summer to scout areas.

[2MANY]

Forgive me for not looking but have you ever even been in the Selway?

[Kool-aid]

Forgive me for not looking but have you ever even been in the Selway?

I haven't. And....that's why I was asking for recommendations on services that might have pack in/out camps.

[harveymarv]

shepp ranch - arranged a jet boat drop off/pickup for my group last year up the salmon river (and stored some elk for us in their cooler at the ranch while we continued to hunt) - seemed to have a few other options available as well with stock. a little spendy but seemed like good people. if I had selway to do again I would opt for renting llamas though - can be done solo. the selway is as others have stated the steepest most beautiful mofo I've ever hunted.

[Naches Sportsman]

Take few days and travel the Magruder corridor it will give you a good perspective on things.  Pretty humbling.

Game plan included a couple of trips this summer to scout areas.

Spend a few days and ride a sled out the Montana road in the winter time and it’s even more humbling that what it is like in the summer on a motorcycle or in a truck. Not enough snow this winter to have fun riding it but it’s the most remarkable road riding/wildlife surveying I’ve done.

[2MANY]

Hunted the Selway 10 or so years in a row by packing in with our own stock.
+- 10 horses and mules for 2 full weeks.
Most trails are in the creek bottoms.
The elk are on the top 25% of the ridges.
Lots of water but weather is a wild card.
Our base camp was 20 miles in and spike camps varied 7-10 beyond that.
Most people never get out of the bottom and figure the elk will run by any moment. (Refer to line 3).
When we were in there we were tough as nails, full of the best food/drink, and slept in a wall tent with the best lanterns/stoves/cotts/pads.
There is frequently forest fires and a snow storm the 2nd half of September.
The Selway is the real deal, can humble the best, and will provide memories that never leave.
I've also been there when a wrangler got kicked in the head by a mule and barely made it out.
I would need to know more about your capabilities as a mountain hunter to make suggestions.
Just sayin.
Happy to help with suggestions if possible.

[bearpaw]

FYI - If you find an outfitter in an area you prefer to hunt they might still have outfitter allocated tags and can swap your Selway tag for a tag in their area.

[2MANY]

Or a friend could get the same tag and you both could go outfitted in Selway A.
Lots of options.
Different hunt perhaps Bearpaw has tags?

[Caseknife]

Might check with Cameron Outfitters, they are at Paradise.  Personally know nothing about them, but that country is BIG, STEEP and a long way from nowhere.

[2MANY]

Good suggestion.

[Kool-aid]

I will give them a try.  Thanks.

As of now I sent out a few emails.  I got a response from York Outfitters as well so waiting on some information on them.

Also appreciate all of the info and doing it without the thread spiraling into the "kool-aid" is an idiot for wanting to hunt that area.

[2MANY]

Just find a way to dry out, eat, and sleep well.
You'll be glad you did.

[Mtnwalker]

I will give them a try.  Thanks.

As of now I sent out a few emails.  I got a response from York Outfitters as well so waiting on some information on them.

Also appreciate all of the info and doing it without the thread spiraling into the "kool-aid" is an idiot for wanting to hunt that area.

They tried  sounds like you have the right mind set for it, you'll have a great trip

[Rimrock hunter]

PM me and I can give you an area you may want to go in 16A. And bring a fishing pole.

[Kool-aid]

Might check with Cameron Outfitters, they are at Paradise.  Personally know nothing about them, but that country is BIG, STEEP and a long way from nowhere.

Thanks for that heads up...they do have drop camps in that area.

[2MANY]

Another big plus is the have a monkey.

[Kool-aid]

Another big plus is the have a monkey.

I hope for my sake they have a donkey...and not a monkey. 

[pd]

Kool Aid, you have a great attitude.

Solo hunting sounds great on paper, but it can be really hard.  You already bought the tag, if you don't go with an outfitter, just go alone for 10 days and do your best.  Keep your expectations low, but don't give up, either.

[bearpaw]

If you decide to go it alone, call the regional IDFG office, ask for the elk bio for that elk zone, tell him/her your situation and ask for advice on where would be good to hunt.