This hunt provider offers self-guided hunting for deer and elk on three ranches. He limits hunting pressure to allow for a higher quality experience.
About 75 percent of his rifle elk hunters have filled their tags over the past six years. Deer hunters have a lower success rate because most are after big bucks. Mature muleys are difficult to hunt after they lose their velvet in September and before the rut in November. No hunting during the November rut is allowed in this part of Idaho.
Bowhunters may hunt elk during the rut in late September. The hunt provider doesn't want bowhunters before Sept. 15 because the weather can be hot and rut activity unpredictable.
Bulls typically score 220 to 300 and occasionally reach 330 B&C. The average bull is a 5x5, and there's a chance at a nice 6x6.
"This is really a prime hunting opportunity for bowhunters," the hunt provider said. "They get to hunt during the peak of the rut, and there are some really good bulls. We can tell from the improved quality of bulls that we've been managing it right. We offer a good, long bow hunt to give our customers a chance to get a bull."
The hunt provider also offers scouting services to hunters who want to hunt public land.
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Every year the hunt provider sees bucks in the 180s or better Boone and Crockett scoring and occasionally a 200-incher. He has taken a buck or two in that category himself. He hunted with a rifle after his customers were gone in 2008, and he had a chance at one of the biggest bucks he had seen while scouting before the season before he connected on a mature 26-incher.
"Most hunters don't realize how hard it is to get a big muley in their sights," the hunt provider said. "Some hunters think if they don't see a big old buck in a couple of days that there are no big bucks to be had. That's not the case at all as every year I see quite a few mature bucks on each ranch. We usually run 40 to 50 percent kill rate on mule deer, but last year we had a 25 percent success rate. I saw just as many older age class bucks before the season last year as I had seen in previous years, including at least two that were in the 185 to 195 category and several others in the 170s and maybe low 180s. The bucks we did harvest were all good bucks, mostly mature 24 to 26-inchers with good frames and good points and some extra points. "
The hunt provider has decided to combined three of the ranches that used to be separate. The fences touch each other. Now there are 11,000 acres in one block. "The elk don't leave the ranch," he said. "It's a resident herd, and we are usually seeing about five bulls every year in the 320 to 340 class. It's a good opportunity for elk hunters now because you can hunt the whole 11,000 acres."
The hunt provider allows nine hunters on the 11,000 acres, and he keeps hunting pressure down to about one hunter per 1,000 acres on his other properties. There are openings in 2009"
There are two cabins and a house trailer available for hunters. There's also a house available at a weekly rate.
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Update, 2/19/11: 11,000-acre Willow Creek Ranch produced nine bulls for nine hunters in 2010. Rifle season dates in 2011 are Oct. 15-21.
"There are lots of elk, and the hunters get a lot of action on Willow Creek," the hunt provider said. Even though there are some big bucks, they don't move much, and it's hard to see them. The elk tend to move more in the daylight, and they're easier to see. The best bull in 2010 was 315, and most of the others were six-pointers and five-pointers."
Sheep Mountain Ranch is available at $2,750 per person. Five hunters in 2010 got three bulls. This ranch is 5,000 landlocked public acres and 3,000 deeded acres.
"This ranch is brushy, and even though there are some big bucks, the deer are hard to see," the hunt provider said. "We charge a $1,200 kill fee for deer. The elk hunting is not quite as predictable as Willow Creek, but it's good. We got a 300 bull last year One of our elk hunters also got a 160 class four-by-four mule deer. Everybody sees elk.
"Archery hunts on both ranches are very good opportunity. Last year we had four hunters on Willopw Creek, and they all got shooting with two of them scoring. We had two greenhorns on Sheep Mountain last year, and I taught them how to call before the hunt. They saw elk most days but did not get any. With more experience I think they could have done well."
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| Hunt EK4307 |
| Hunt |
Price per person |
| Elk rifle, self-guided, 7 days |
$2,850 to $3,250, depending on the ranch |
| Elk bow, self-guided, 10 days |
$3,000 |
| Deer and elk rifle, self-guided, 7 days |
$4,850 |
| Hunter success |
Season |
| Typically 75 to 100% on rifle hunts, but the outfitter says to expect 50 to 75% to be safe. 25-75% expected on bow hunts. |
Rifle season begins about Oct. 15 and runs seven days.
Bow season typically begins about Aug. 30 and runs till Sept. 30 |
| Travel |
License |
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You must provide your own vehicle transportation to and on the ranch.
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Hunting licenses or tags are not included in the price of the hunt. Updated prices.
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Lodging/camping
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Trophy size |
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No lodging or camping is included in the hunt price. A cabin is available for rent on one of the ranches at $650 per party per week. It's an A-frame that was built in the '70s and has no running water but is clean. Camping is allowed for $100-$350 per week per party, depending on the ranch. A portable contractor's toilet is provided. Motels in the area are typically $70 per night for two persons.
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Bulls typically score 220 to 300 and occasionally reach 330 B&C. The average bull is a 5x5, and there's a chance at a nice 6x6. In 2006 the biggest bull scored about 300 B&C.
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Mule deer
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| Mule deer hunting is available at an extra fee for rifle and bow elk hunters. |
there. this year they were back. Everybody saw elk.
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