Idaho elk drop camp

[Jlrineer1]

Hey guys just looking for some advice. Another guy and myself are looking in to doing an Idaho elk hunt for 2017. I am trying to decide if it would be worth it to pay 1500-2000 to do a drop camp hunt or if you can essentially accomplish the same thing with a DIY hunt.

We're both inexperienced in western hunting since we live in Pennsylvania and are just now getting the itch, but really want to get on some elk. Not looking for trophies just yet, mainly just looking to get some experience while we build points in other states. We're both in our upper 20s and in fairly good shape. We were both in the Marines and know what it's like to camp under the stars in frigid temps. I like that Idaho has a OTC elk license and we both qualify for the discounted veteran tag so price wise it seems like our best option.

Thanks

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[mntnguide]

If you have the money to do a drop camp...it would probably be worth your while for your lack of experience. The outfitter will be able to tell you the habits of the elk in that area and probably good spots to hunt. Whereas if you go at it all on ur own without being able to scout an area, you are going in blind and will have zero knowledge of the area and how the elk move within that area. Do your research and find a good outfitter and call past drop camp hunters to see if they had a good successful hunt, that will help you narrow down a good camp to book with. . You can definitely be successful on your own, but with your lack of elk experience and no knowledge of an area in Idaho, I think you will have a better chance at getting into elk and being successful using the help of an outfitter and his in depth knowledge of an area that he makes a living in

 

[Tim McCoy]

Mntnguide gave you great advice. Elk can be very frustrating to find/hunt if you are not familiar with their habits and how they use the land.

 

[RICMIC]

Also, with a drop camp, you have the outfitter to pack out anything that you may be fortunate enough to shoot. As a couple studly-hungwell types (Semper Fi by the way), you could do it yourself, but you have to stop your hunt once one critter is down and may not have the chance to hunt again with the time remaining.