Idaho Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolf Hunts in the Bitterroots

IDHO PREMIUM BITTEROOT MOUNTAINS TO HUNT BEAR OVER BAIT OR WITH DOGS AND MOUNTAIN LIONS (PUMAS) BEHIND DOGS. THIS IS ONE OF A FEW OUTFITTERS THAT HUNTS WOLVES SO HE DEFINITLY KNOWS THE GAME.

Hunt bears over bait or bears and lions behind dogs. This is the best way to get a lion or a bear into a rug.

Hunting Location: Bitterroots of Montana

Length of Hunt: 5 Days

Animals: Lions and Bears

Level of Guiding: Fully Guided

We are looking forward to helping you plan a great bear hunt.   For 2008 Our unit 7 camp had a 96 percent kill and the unit 10 camp went about 90% on one bear hunters. 2009 went pretty much the same way at just over 90% kill overall and over 100% shot opportunity on 1 bear. We took some really nice big bears taken in unit 7 and wrapped up in unit 10 with over 60% color and some really HUGE bears seen and nice boars killed.  We do what it takes to make it happen and its not cheap or easy to do especially in spring conditions like we saw the last 2 years.  Spring 2010 looks good though we are seeing bears and its an early green-up. 

You will genuinely enjoy this bear hunt whenever you decide to come. You are sure not too early to plan for next spring. We have limited openings May 23rd and June 13th.  

Fall hunting will be the 3rd week of September with a flexible start date fly in Saturday pick up Sunday hunt M-F back to Mso Sat for flights out Sunday.  I have included lots of information here detailing all of our Idaho hunts. If you need more specifics or would like to reserve space do not hesitate to call us right away.

You have contacted one of the most successful bear outfitters in the USA today.  Between our 2 vast areas in the Bitterroots of Idaho  and our Maine operation - we take more Bear and More bear hunters each year than any other outfitter conducting business solely in the lower 48 US. Hopefully we can get you out here for a great hunt. Here in Idaho we offer both Bait & Hound hunting. I will give you information on the specifics of the bear hunt and then give you some specific information on our other hunts too. 

Let us know what works for you.  One bear hunts are currently at $1895 plus tax (9%) and tags $340.75 (one bear in unit 7) or (in unit 10) $382.50 for 2 bear. Trophy combo hunts for one bear are $2895 plus tax and tags add $1000 (planned in advance) for the additional bear on bait or trophy combo. Non hunters will be at $950 if you will not accompany hunters to stand and $1250 if you plan to go out to stands. Food & Lodging included either way.  Prices will be increasing soon but can be held at this price if reserved now.

Over the years we have specialized in bear hunting and have many references. Depending on your personal preference, we can have you drive right into camp or at least to the snow-line, if you choose to fly we will pick you up in Missoula MT.  We generally hunt from stands but a ground blind may work better on some baits. Depending on which camp you choose, we have cabins or wall tents for housing. Both have wood heat with comfortable cots and foams. You will need sleeping bags. Bring full camo in layers with a waterproof outer layer. The prices quoted currently include all food lodging pick-up and return to Missoula as well as full guide service and caping of critters. Things not included in the price are, Gratuity for guides, 2 nights stay in Missoula (if flying with pick up), meat processing and taxidermy. 

We own and Operate 2 outfitting businesses here in Idaho - Russell Pond & B bar C Outfitters. We maintain close to 100 bait sites in the St. Joe and Clearwater National Forests. We generally take 6 hunters per week per camp and run 90 to over 100% success with all take methods combined. Bears average 5 and 1/2 to 6 and 1/2 feet in length. Every year we take a few 7 footers as well. Average weight may run from 160 to 250. Our unit 10 area offers a 2 bear limit and we have also offer trophy hunting featuring the combined use of both bait and hounds. One bear hunts are 5 hunting days 2 bear and trophy combo hunts are 6 days of hunting. 

Our season opens the 1st and 15th of April depending on the area chosen. Baits are placed as early as possible but, we do not take hunters until the 2nd week of May. This allows the bears plenty of time to establish feeding patterns on the baits.  A hunter may expect to see several bears during the weeks hunt. This passed spring we had no hunters without shot opportunity and killed 135% overall. Keep in mind that not all hunters were after 2 bear either. Fall bear reopens the last day or August and we immediately re-bait spring-established fall sites.  Generally we do not take folks for fall bear over bait till the end of the 2nd week of September and until the first week of October.

Hunt cost quoted are plus tax and you supply your own tags too (unit 10) second bear options are available for $1000 must be booked in advance. If appropriate, the website will be changed soon to reflect these prices please regard them as most current. Its and unfortunate side effect of the soaring (ouch more like sore-ing) fuel costs. Please, don?t delay in getting space reserved if you do plan on joining us.  

Our region of Idaho offers some of the best bear hunting in the United States. We do have a 2 bear limit area available indicative of the excellent bear population. This region features the unique occurrence of the 4 color variations of black bear. Our harvest for the last several years, has been 50 to 60% color phase bear. When blacks are chosen it is generally for large size or prominent "V" marking on the chest. Located in the lush Bitterroots our areas boast some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere. The spring weather is generally mild with wet periods. Best of all for our bear hunters on stand - There are NO BUGS. That's right, none of the plague of black flies you will find in the Canadian Provinces while spring hunting

Bear over bait spring one bear 5 days $ 1895 plus 9% tax

Bear over bait spring 2 bears 5 days $_2895 plus 9% tax

Bear Bait and Hound Trophy Combo hunt 1 bear 5 days $_2895 plus tax 

Bear Bait and Hound Trophy Combo hunt 2 bear $3895 plus 9% tax

Mountain lion 6 days $ 4195 plus 9% tax ($4,578)

Idaho License for Lion $ 340

HUNTERS FLY INTO WHERE Missoula for elk and bear Spokane for lion 

The Primary air carriers are Delta, North West, United, Frontier and Continental. 

EXTRA CHARTER FLIGHTS can be arranged through DNA Airlines

PHONE FOR CHARTER SVC: DNA Airlines

Are there any overnights? Yes, one each end of trip motel rate is $ 60 to $80 per night.

HOW TO TRANSPORT MEAT/TROPHIES: All trophies can be taken to the meat packer. OBSERVER COST: This depends on trip and amount of None Hunter participation $950 to $1495 

There is no MINIMUM PARTY SIZE

EXPLAIN ALL EXTRA COSTS( INCL: Gov’t fees, LICENSE, TAGS, DIP/SHIP, GUNPERMITS, TRESPASS, VISAS, DIP/ship)Tags for bear is $340 tax is 9% you need a day in and out at  a motel and to ship hide and meat home

FACILITIES: Wall tents in the back country with cots and foams base camp 

HOT SHOWERS are at base camps 

OUTFITTER ALWAYS SENDS CLIENTS A DETAILED INFORMATION SHEET, DIRECTIONS, EQUIPMENT AND SO ON when the hunt booking confirmation with deposit.

DOES HE ALWAYS SEND CLIENTS HIS OWN CONTRACT? Yes, but it’s not a CONTRACT just information and we go by email or letter confirmation.

SLEEPING BAG NEEDED? Yes always 

IF TENTS—ARE THERE COTS? Yes with foams

MEALS PROVIDED? Yes very good food

Transportation during the hunt can be by mule, ATV, or 4x4 Pickup depending on what works best for the given situation.

HOW EXPERIENCED ARE GUIDES?  Most of our guides have been guiding over 5 years we have a very well trained core of guides.

SKINNING/CAPING Included? Yes

MEAT PROCESSING is available and runs approximately 75 cents a pound.

Bring binoculars and rangefinder if you have them.

TYPICAL SIZES OF TROPHIES TAKEN: Bears 5.5 to 6.5 feet in various colors.  Lion generally males and large taking a few B&C each year come home with us

SUCCESS RATIO BY:     ANIMAL SPECIE          OPPORTUNITY%    KILL RATIO %

Bear                                                                                           100%                   90 to 100%

Lion                                                                                             70 to 100%        60 to 100_%

DEGREE OF PHYSCIAL EXERTION:

STYLE OF HUNT- BLINDS, SPOT.STALK ETC: Lion are ALWAYS vigorous while Bear is pretty easy over bait.

PRIMARILY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LANDS: all public but deer and turkey on ranch_

DESCRIBE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE AND TERRAIN: _100’s of Square miles of the Idaho bitterroots along Montana border 3000 to 6500 feet elevation

HOW ARE LICENSES ACQUIRED- DEADLINES FOR DRAWS, COSTS- QUIRKS: on phone or online we get all elk tags for clients 

LIONS

Because of our excellent reputation and success rates our spots are generally booked for the coming year by now.  In checking with The outfitter he tells me that there is an opening the week of the 9th of January after that our first available openings are for December the weeks of the 11th or 18th and 2012 January the weeks of the 1st 8th or 15th have good spots open although I do have some dates booked out to 2013 that season is still fairly open..

Hunts can be reserved with a phone call and priority mail personal or business check sent immediately with the $1000 deposit. We have guests fly into either Missoula MT or Spokane Washington depending on the date of the hunt and the area hunted. Lion hunts are currently $4195.00 plus tax and tags. Tax is 9%. Non Resident Hunting License and Lion tag run $340.50 these license prices are subject to change.  Hunts are 6 days of hunting and a day in and out on each end for an 8 day adventure. Our excellent record and satisfied client’s mean we book well in advance – as I said, we are currently booked through till December. 

WOLF HUNTS

We are looking forward to helping you plan a great wolf or wolf combo hunt. We have had many wolf sightings over the years and are really excited about being able to offer this hunt for the first time. Wolves are prevalent and clients see them frequently. Combo Lion and Wolf hunts and Wolf hunting alone will be offered until Quotas fill in both our areas units 10 and 7.  We are hoping to fill all quotas for wolf and plan to take folks in unit 7 until end of January and in unit 10 until the end of March.  

 With all the lion hunting in winter and intense spring bear hunting, summer pack trips and archery and rifle elk seasons - We spend an enormous amount of time in the backcountry and have patterned the habits of our wolves.  

 I cannot tell you how happy I am to finally be able to offer the general public an opportunity to take a wolf in Idaho.  Idaho wolf hunting is a success story, even if it is bittersweet and too long in coming.  My goal is to help Idaho fill its legal wolf quotas and you can help me do it.  My hunters are having success on wolves incidentally already.  I feel confident when I am focused on finding you a wolf we can be even more successful. My lion hunters have a long history of taking photos of wolves on their hunts let's turn that into hunting success! Call Inga for scheduling and hunt details.

 We are licensed for wolf in unit 7 - Panhandle and Unit 10 Lolo Wolf Zones. The quotas to fill are generous and the quotas did not fill in either area last year-Please call to make the goal of full quota a reality.  

December early season unit 10 hunts, 6 days of hunting for only $2995. 

January unit 7 hunts 6 days of hunting $2995.

Late Feb and March unit 10 hunts 5 day back country in $2495.

ID Number: ID-BearLionWolf-Maries-Dave

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