Idaho frank church wilderness

[Retterath]

I'm about ready to book a hunt with an outfitter in the frank church wilderness hunt, it would be a rifle hunt during the rut sept 23-29. Does anyone know how the elk herd is doing because of the wolve situation. Do I need to reconsider different place. The outfitter went 100% on mule deer and 75% on elk this last year. Any ideas or info would be greatly appreciated. With spending 5900 I want to get as much info abou the hunt as possible. Thanks guys

 

[mntnguide]

Who/s the outfitter? I spent 4 years guiding in the Frank... I left for a reason. . feel free to PM if you would rather.

 

[Musket Man]

Wolves have hit frank church area pretty hard form what I hear and elk have been affected more then the deer. I havent actually hunted it myself so I cant say first hand how bad it is but its not what it once was. I have also herd elk in wolf areas are pretty quiet in the rut and sometimes they will move away from calls because they are worried it will attract wolves. Still it sounds like the outfitter is having pretty good success rates. Frank church is awesome country and Im sure it would be a good time even if you didnt fill your tag!

 

[Retterath]

I won't be going till 2015 so two years down the road are the elk numbers going to be even worse no one knows. That's the thing about if u want a spot u have to book two years in advance. That's why they call it hunting there's no garentee.

 

[Multi-SpeciesHunter]

No advice, just have fun. Frank Church Wilderness is BADASS.

 

[tttoadman]

The outfitters have the advantage of tracking the animals through the summer months. The area is so big, I think a guy on his own could spend a week or more and a ton of foot miles just to find some animals.

The pilot we used last year said it is tough to hunt elk in sept because the weather hasn't pushed them out of the high country at all. If you are paying an outfitter a lot of money, it is likely because he has a substantial scouting staff to support him. It sounds like the guy you are talking to understands what it takes to make it happen for his customers.

 

[PointsHunter]

Retterath,
I'm booked up with an outfitter for this fall (surprise Christmas gift from the wife - how sweet is that...) in Area 28. Looking at your dates I assume your looking at Area 27? I've done quite a bit of research and generally hear the Area 27 has been hit harder than 28... although I lack actually putting boots on the ground yet so can't write with first hand knowledge. Hunt dates for Area 28 are later than 27 - so you'd lose the prime rut dates. Also, most of the guides in the area you need to book up Dec the year before or perhaps as late as Jan. As many have non-refundable deposits I'd wait until later to book in your hunt.

 

[ivorytip]

outfitter is the only way to go in that country. will be a hunt of a lifetime for you. most beautifull crazy country you will ever see. lots of wolves but the wolves are being kept in check. those outffiters in that coutry are good ole boys from what ive heard.

 

[Retterath]

thanks guys great info, i hear the country is awesome and a hunt to remember.

 

[weber8993]

I have been wanting to elk hunt Idaho or any new state in the west. I live in Oregon. I own a plane. Have flown for decades in the back country. Have great power and big tundra tires. Have flown to Alaska to salmon fish. I have landed in most of the back country strips in the Frank Church Wilderness years ago. But I think the wolves have put the hurt on our elk there. Not sure. Do you know any areas that have elk where we could access them from a back country strip? Do you wanna go? It is very easy for me if you know where we can fly and access these elk. I got the bird and can get us there if you know where we can try.

 

[Retterath]

i don't know of any spots off the top of my head but I'm sure we can find one. Lets do it!!

 

[tttoadman]

I have been wanting to elk hunt Idaho or any new state in the west. I live in Oregon. I own a plane. Have flown for decades in the back country. Have great power and big tundra tires. Have flown to Alaska to salmon fish. I have landed in most of the back country strips in the Frank Church Wilderness years ago. But I think the wolves have put the hurt on our elk there. Not sure. Do you know any areas that have elk where we could access them from a back country strip? Do you wanna go? It is very easy for me if you know where we can fly and access these elk. I got the bird and can get us there if you know where we can try.

Maybe I will see you there. I plan on being there in Sept and November. I already have my plane ride taken care of. Good luck!!

 

[dan maule]

I hunted the Frank Church with an outfitter several years ago. Did not see an elk although I did shoot a nice Mule Deer. We heard wolves and seen their tracks everywhere and even had a wolverine near camp. Even though I did not see an elk I would go on this trip every year if I could afford it. I had the time of my life, I didn't think country like that existed in the lower 48. The outfitter was awesome. You probably want to pick up a bear tag, I think you can purchase two at resident prices, when I went it was like $25 per tag.

Good Luck

 

[Bonecollector]

Rett, Just following up to this old thread. Maybe you posted it and I have forgotten, how did this turn out?
Bill

 

[Retterath]

i never went to the frank church,but was very close to booking with an outfitter instead just saved my money and did a diy hunt in wyoming on a general tag which was a lot of fun but never able to seal the deal. Next time maybe

 

[tim]

Big bad ass country, I typically spend a week a year in there. Last year was a week long float trip on the middle fork of the salmon.
Be prepared for big country and crowds around air strips. you typically need to hike at least 2 hours from any airstrip to get away from people. There would be some great point to point hikes with the use of air strips. get dropped off at one stip and get picked up at another. in 2007 I sat at an airstip for 5 extra days due to a snowstorm getting in the way of our plane picking us up.

 

[mntnguide]

Tim is very correct about crowds at the airstrips.....If you try to do the November mule deer hunt, the airstrips will look like small cities. Its quite amazing how many people are in there, especially when the hunting has plummeted from what it used to be. The Frank is still an incredible place that I am grateful to have spent 3 years guiding in, but I left due to the lack of game and the fact it was no longer a joy for me to have to guide good people in an area that had drastically declined in animal population and overall quality. I will be back to hunt it for myself one day, just because of how incredible and different the country is. I was able to harvest my Once in a Lifetime Sheep in the frank back in 07' as well