Boulder Creek Outfitters

[vandeman17]

Have any of you guys done an elk hunt with them? My old man and I are looking into booking a drop camp trip with them in mid september for a rifle bugle hunt.

[JLS]

I would check references from the last few years.  The Selway elk herd is not doing well, and this would be a tough unit to hunt anyway.  Very steep.  Gorgeous country.

[vandeman17]

We got a list of 4 different references but the tough part is the idea that he would only give us references for people who had good hunts and not ones who didn't get their elk or didn't see many critters etc. I think references are only good for talking about how the trip in and out of the area is, how camp is set up, food and all that stuff. 

[JLS]

I missed the drop camp part in your first post.  I would be very leery of a drop camp in the Selway. 

I'm sure some of the folks that didn't see critters had no idea what elk hunting is really all about.  What have the references said that he gave to you?

Drop camps for elk can present problems.  Elk are where you find them.  What if the elk aren't in the area of your camp, then what?  If you are truck camping, or backpack camping, you can move.

Call ID F&G and see if you can talk to the CO and the biologist for the Selway.

[vandeman17]

That is a good idea about talking to the biologist of the area. When I say drop camp, we would still have use of horses in there so that would increase the hunting area that we could cover to try and find the elk.

Do you have any other recommendations for better places to check out for a rifle bugle hunt?

[THEBUGLER]

If I were you, I would pick another region or another state for a drop camp. I live very near the Selway and that whole LOLO Zone is VERY low on elk. The wolves and winters have taken a huge toll on the big game herds. There are elk to be had, but they are few and far between. Just ask the Biologists for the aerial survey numbers from 2001- 2011, they speak for them selves. It really sucks because the Selway is spectacular country. 

[vandeman17]

If I were you, I would pick another region or another state for a drop camp. I live very near the Selway and that whole LOLO Zone is VERY low on elk. The wolves and winters have taken a huge toll on the big game herds. There are elk to be had, but they are few and far between. Just ask the Biologists for the aerial survey numbers from 2001- 2011, they speak for them selves. It really sucks because the Selway is spectacular country.

Thank you very much for the information! It is just really hard to pick where to go because there are so many factors involved. You could have the best guide but be in a crappy area or be in a great area but have a crappy guide etc. I am confident in our ability to find elk but they have to be there for us to find them!

[THEBUGLER]

Thank you very much for the information! It is just really hard to pick where to go because there are so many factors involved. You could have the best guide but be in a crappy area or be in a great area but have a crappy guide etc. I am confident in our ability to find elk but they have to be there for us to find them!

I have a buddy who hunts that area, and they run into the Boulder Cr. guys from time to time, and they have the same story as my friend. No luck......... Dont get me wrong there are some elk there, but the country is huge and if you are in the wrong drainage, it will take a lot of effort to find the right drainage.

[vandeman17]

I really need to get my old man into archery. It would open up many options for us since he/we are set on going after elk during the rut.

[Elknut1]

Agreed! The Lolo Zone has been hit exceptionally hard by wolves! There are better areas!

  ElkNut1

[bugs n bones]

I no a real bad story about what your asking...I WOULD NOT go with them

[DoubleJ]

doesn't bearpaw guide elk in Idaho?

[vandeman17]

doesn't bearpaw guide elk in Idaho?

Yes. I have contacted him to see what he has to offer as well.