Elk hunting in Idaho

Elk hunting is a popular sport with hunters for a number of reasons. The quality of elk meat is a top reason, but the challenge of the hunt is another. However, it is important to follow specific regulations for hunting elk in the state where you are hunting. Failure to do so could result in large fines, loss of equipment and even imprisonment.

Idaho is a great state to choose for elk hunting. Some regulations in Idaho to hunt elk include having a valid hunting license and a special tag. There are specific date ranges for elk hunting, as well. The revenue from the purchase of hunting licenses and elk tags helps fund Idaho’s elk population management and conservation programs.

The Idaho backcountry is a place worth protecting and keeping for a variety of reasons, one of them being its prime hunting options. When you visit Idaho you will be able to enjoy and experience a rugged landscape as well as a world-class outdoor experience that is the same as it was when your grandparents and great grandparents enjoyed it in their day.

Be prepared for your elk hunt

Elk hunting is a sport that calls for preparation and planning. It requires stamina, so you need to make sure you are in good physical shape prior to the hunt. It’s also a time for camaraderie and a chance to be in the great outdoors.

Elk hunting an extremely physical activity and is mentally challenging, as well.  Expect to be up very early in the wee hours to start the day. Hiking, spotting, calling and checking the wind constantly throughout the day is common. Covering as much as twelve miles per day on rough terrain is also standard. The prize is worth it when you have the opportunity to get a shot at one of those elusive and majestic animals!

Options for your Elk Hunt at Silver Spur Lodge

Silver Spur Lodge in Dixie, Idaho offersseveral options for your elk hunting trip:

1. Guided Backcountry Camp Hunts. These hunts are 9 days long.  They can be accessed by horseback only.  Although located in the remote wilderness on our property, our camps are in contact with lodge by radio and will call in the packer when your game is down.We offer these hunts as 2×1 (2 hunters and 1 guide) and 1×1 hunts (1 hunter and 1 guide)
2. Deluxe Drop Camps. These use the same camps as the guided hunts; however, there are no guides included.  3 tents can sleep from 2 to 8 hunters, all from the same group.  There is a fully equipped kitchen tent, but hunters will need to furnish the food.
3. Guided Lodge Hunts. Hunters stay in our log lodge with all the comforts of home. These hunts are by 4×4, ATV, horseback and foot. You will start the day with a hot breakfast and return to the lodge each evening to a home cooked meal.

Silver Spur Outfitters &Lodge has everything you need for a successful elk hunt.

Silver Spur Lodge offers several packages for elk hunts, as well as bear hunts, big horn sheep hunts, moose and deer hunts, and even mountain lion hunting!

For additional information, prices and to reserve your accommodations for the hunt,visit our website, call Rick & Deb at (208) 842-2417 or drop us an email at huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com.

Bear hunting at Silver Spur Lodge is an adventure in the wilderness!

The North American black bears are predatory, big game animals who know how to hide out of sight. They roam wide and varied foraging areas, usually among heavy thickets and brush. Bears prefer dense cover, such as mountain forests, mixed woodland, and heavy black timber.

This species of bear is a hefty animal with a thick hairy coat that is usually black but can also be chocolate brown, blonde or even white. It is a forest dweller and its habitat is characterized by heavy, thick vegetation that has an abundance of fruit and nut bearing trees and shrubs all around.

Nose to tail, a black bear can measure eight feet plus. Boars are larger than sows in size. However, it usually walks on all fours and stands up to three feet at shoulder height. Adult males weigh anywhere between 250 to 600 pounds.Black Bears are smaller than grizzly bears, Alaskan brown bears, and polar bears, but are more accessible to hunt.

The skillful guides at Silver Spur Outfitters know the best spots for hunting bears. The ideal areas are usually where the open meets thick cover. Prime hunting areas also include areas that provide a food source for the bear – berry patches, abandoned orchards, or game trails that run parallel to rivers and creek bottoms.

Black bears are elusive, with sharp senses and are challenging to pursue. In our search for this prey, we look for signs that they have been in the territory, such as claw marks on a tree, tracks on the ground, or tree stumps that have been dug at for ants and grubs. With Silver Spur Outfitters as your guide, you will be fully prepared for the challenge!

Some tips for bear hunting at Silver Spur Lodge

Although Silver Spur Lodge’s guides are experts and will help your bear hunt be successful, there are certain things recommended for you to prepare for your hunt.

• Use scent covers. Because black bears have a highly developed sense of smell, they can detect human body smells. To maximize your chances of success you should use scent covers to mask your scent.
• Avoid smoking. Tobacco smoke has a very distinctive smell and can put the bear on alert at once. Avoid smoking during or even before the hunt, because the scent can permeate clothing.
• Stalk bears upwind. Keeping track of wind direction is also crucial to prevent the bear from detecting your presence.
• Take your time. When spotting a black bear during the hunt either from the ground or from a tree stand at a bait station, it is important to remain calm and take time to aim and execute the shot carefully, adjusting it to hit a vital organ. Black bears can move very quickly over considerable distances if wounded with a poor shot.

Silver Spur Lodge in Idaho has everything you need for a successful bear hunt.

The bear hunts at Silver Spur Lodge in the Idaho back country are exciting hunts that will get your adrenaline pumping. Our success rate on bear is very high with an excellent chance of getting a color phase. We take 40% black and 60% chocolate, cinnamon or blond color phase.

We have several types of accommodations to choose from for your hunt, including the wilderness log lodge, with all the comforts of home, and the remote back country camps for a better wilderness experience.

For additional information and to reserve your accommodations for the hunt,visit our website, call Rick & Deb at (208) 842-2417 or drop us an email at huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com.

Elk hunting in Idaho

The fall season is a great time for Elk Hunting and Idaho is one of the best locations to do it.  Hunters get the expansive wilderness backcountry experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Elk hunting is a sport that calls for preparation and planning. First of all, it’s a physical sport, so make sure you are in shape prior to the hunt. It’s also a time for camaraderie and a chance to be in the great outdoors. But if you haven’t been on an elk hunt before, you may want to follow some guidelines to prepare.

Preparing for your first elk hunt

There are a few lessons to be learned from experienced elk hunters.

1. Make sure you are physically ready.Elk live in big places and cover distance very quickly. Hunted elk go into steep, high, rocky areas. A successful elk hunter needs the stamina and endurance to be prepared to follow them into these areas and keep up with them. At a minimum, walk or jog for several weeks prior to your hunt to get your legs and lungs in the best shape possible.
2. Practice shooting prior to the hunt with a paper bulls-eye, from a sitting, kneeling and off-hand positions. Determine a “90 percent kill” sight picture, and fire only when you have acquired it.
3. Limit your rifle weight to 9 pounds. Long-range rifles often handicap hunters. Heavy rifles often slow your step, tire you in the hills, and keep you from wanting to venture into the best elk cover.
4. Keep your scope at 3X or 4X so you’ll have time to dial up for long shots.Scopes are faster than iron sights, with elk and reticle appearing in the same plane.
5. Look near before you look far. Often on elk hunts, a good option can scuttle a better, easier one.
6. Move like an elk. If you must talk, whisper. Elk hear well but dismiss some noises. Hunters who talk loudly or let their gear clack and rattle as they walk send elk packing.
7. Have a realistic plan. Don’t hold out for the outsize bull. Shoot the elk you’d take the last day as soon as you see it. Assuming you can always kill a lesser elk later in the hunt if a big one doesn’t show early on is not the best thinking.
8. Elk stop frequently and look back. Don’t always follow the track. You can catch an elk off-guard by circling wide around the herd through.
9. Hiking past elk early puts you where elk don’t expect hunters to be. Don’t stop in the dark to listen for elk. They’ll spook. Hike purposefully and ignore them; the elk will let you by, and you’ll be likely to shoot one later.
10. Rutting elk sometimes respond to a bugle by moving away. Still-hunt toward a noisy bull, and be aware that he might lie beyond alert cows.

Options for your Elk Hunt at Silver Spur Lodge

Silver Spur Lodge in Dixie, Idaho has everything you need to plan and execute your elk hunt.  We offer several options for your elk hunting trip:

1. Guided Backcountry Camp Hunts. These hunts are 9 days long.  They can be accessed by horseback only.  Although located in the remote wilderness on our property, our camps are in contact with lodge by radio and will call in the packer when your game is down.We offer these hunts as 2×1 (2 hunters and 1 guide) and 1×1 hunts (1 hunter and 1 guide)
2. Deluxe Drop Camps. These use the same camps as the guided hunts; however, there are no guides included.  3 tents can sleep from 2 to 8 hunters, all from the same group.  There is a fully equipped kitchen tent, but hunters will need to furnish the food.
3. Guided Lodge Hunts. Hunters stay in our log lodge with all the comforts of home. These hunts are by 4×4, ATV, horseback and foot. You will start the day with a hot breakfast and return to the lodge each evening to a home cooked meal.

Silver Spur Outfitters &Lodge has everything you need for a successful elk hunt.

Silver Spur Lodge offers several packages for elk hunts, as well as bear hunts, big horn sheep hunts, moose and deer hunts, and even mountain lion hunting!

For additional information, prices and to reserve your accommodations for the hunt,visit our website, call Rick & Deb at (208) 842-2417 or drop us an email at huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com.

Fall and Winter Elk Hunting at Silver Spur Outfitters & Lodge

Dixie, ID– Silver Spur Lodge fall elk hunting is in full swing! The expansive wilderness of Idaho makes it a perfect location for elk hunting. It provides hunters with a unique wilderness backcountry experiences which you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Silver Spur Lodge in Dixie, Idaho has everything you need to plan and execute your elk hunt.  They offer several options for an elk hunting trip:

1. Guided Backcountry Camp Hunts. These hunts are 9 days long.  They can be accessed by horseback only.  Although located in the remote wilderness on our property, their camps are in contact with lodge by radio and will call in the packer when a hunter’s game is down.  They offer these hunts as 2×1 (2 hunters and 1 guide) and 1×1 hunts (1 hunter and 1 guide)
2. Deluxe Drop Camps. These use the same camps as the guided hunts; however, there are no guides included.  3 tents can sleep from 2 to 8 hunters, all from the same group.  There is a fully equipped kitchen tent, but hunters will need to furnish their own food.
3. Guided Lodge Hunts. Hunters stay in our log lodge with all the comforts of home. These hunts are by 4×4, ATV, horseback and foot. Hunters will start the day with a hot breakfast and return to the lodge each evening to a home cooked meal.Silver Spur Lodge is in the heart of the wilderness and serves as a guest lodge and bed & breakfast for summer and winter guests. The 262 miles of groomed trails are great for spectacular snowmobiling and x-country skiing.

Located in the historic early-day gold mining town of Dixie, Idaho, 38 miles southeast of Elk City, Silver Spur Lodge can be reached by road or by a small airstrip serviced by backcountry air charter serviced from Boise, Missoula, Spokane or Lewiston.

Visit their website at http://silverspurlodge.com/to get further information on elk hunts, as well as other game packages and unique hunting opportunities in the beautiful Idaho wilderness.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Silver Spur Outfitters and Lodge, Inc.

2742 Dixie Rd.

Dixie, ID‎ 83525

(208) 842-2417

huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com

http://silverspurlodge.com/

Fall and Winter Bear Hunting at Silver Spur Outfitters & Lodge

Dixie, ID– Silver Spur Lodge fall bear hunting is happening now!  Hunts include lodging at their modern log lodge with all the modern conveniences the best food in the back country. They offer adrenaline-inducing hunts that boast ahigh success rate with a very good chance of getting a color phase.

One type of fall bear hunt at Silver Spur is the Guided Back country Camp Hunt, which is 9 days long and accessible by horse back only.  Accommodations for these hunts include first day lodging, 7 days at camp, and then the last day back at the lodge.  The camps are equipped with 3 large tents for the cook, hunters and guides.  Each tent is equipped with wood stoves for heat and cots with foam pads for sleeping. Also available is the Guided Lodge Hunt from where hunters stay in the log lodge and hunt via 4×4, ATV, horseback and foot.

Hunting is done in the Selway Zone, with a two bear limit and is a reduced tag zone, making it ideal for couples or father & sons or daughters.  Accommodations are also available for individuals with limited mobility.  An Idaho non-resident hunt license is $154.75. The first reduced bear tags is $31.75 and a second bear tag is $31.75.

Silver Spur Lodge is in the heart of the wilderness and serves as a guest lodge and bed & breakfast for summer and winter guests. The 262 miles of groomed trails are great for spectacular snowmobiling and x-country skiing.

Located in the historic early-day gold mining town of Dixie, Idaho, 38 miles southeast of Elk City, Silver Spur Lodge can be reached by road or by a small airstrip serviced by backcountry air charter serviced from Boise, Missoula, Spokane or Lewiston.

Visit their website at http://silverspurlodge.com/to get further information on bear hunts, as well as other game packages and unique hunting opportunities in the beautiful Idaho wilderness.

For further information, please contact:

Silver Spur Outfitters and Lodge, Inc.

2742 Dixie Rd.

Dixie, ID‎ 83525

(208) 842-2417

huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com

http://silverspurlodge.com/

Fall Bear Hunting Is Different than In Spring

We’re in the middle of fall which is a great time for bear hunting at Silver Spur Lodge. However, if you’ve done bear hunts in the spring, you’ll want to be aware that fall hunting is a bit different.

You can bait bears in the fall but it’s much harder than in the spring. For one thing, a lot more natural food is available to compete with your bait. In a good year every draw on the hillside will be choked with berries. That’s why fall bear baiting requires advance planning.

When spotting and stalking, keep in mind that in the fall bears are on a feeding frenzy to store up fat for the winter. In the spring, daylight and dusk are usually best, whereas in the fall you may see one anywhere, anytime of the day. When food is scarce and bears are hungry, they move quickly across the slopes in search of food. You may have to hurry to catch up with them.

Of course, when bears feed will be determined by the available food source that particular year. A good berry crop will draw them to the berry patches where they gorge themselves and then lie down and sleep. As berries ripen they migrate to higher elevations. What if berries are scarce? They’ll roam more and you’ll be likely to see them anywhere.

Fall Bear Hunting at Silver Spur Lodge

The North American black bear is a large animal with a thick coat, which is usually black; but it can also be chocolate brown, blonde or even white. Its home is in the forest, surrounded by heavy vegetation, including berries, fruit and nuts in trees and shrubs. Silver Spur Lodge fall hunting expeditions focus on these types bears, which are more accessible to hunt than other bear types.

The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability.

Black bears are smaller than grizzlies, Alaskan brown bears and polar bears. The adult male, or boar, can weigh anywhere between 250 and 600 pounds. All black bears walk with a shuffling gate, usually on all fours.  Nose to tail, a black bear can measure eight feet plus.

Black bears tend to be solitary animals, with the exception of mothers and cubs. The bears usually forage alone, but will tolerate each other and forage in groups if there is an abundance of food in one area.

Some tips for fall bear hunting at Silver Spur Lodge

• Use scent covers. Because black bears have a highly developed sense of smell, black bears are able to detect smells emanating from bodies. To maximize your chances of success you should use scent covers to mask your scent while stalking in on that record book black bear.
• Avoid smoking. Tobacco smoke has a very distinctive smell and can put the bear on alert at once. The bear hunter should avoid smoking if he wants to improve his chances of coming across the bear. Smoking should be avoided during or even before the hunt, because the scent can permeate clothing and be carried along to scare the prey, which can immediately sense the unfamiliar scent.
• Stalk bears upwind.Keeping track of wind direction is also crucial to prevent the bear from detecting your presence and therefore the bear should always be stalked upwind.
• Take your time. When spotting a black bear during the hunt either from the ground or from a tree stand at a bait station, it is important to remain calm and take time to aim and execute the shot carefully, adjusting it to hit a vital organ. Any tendency to rush a shot should be calmed down by waiting or taking a deep breath. This will prevent losing a good trophy bear, as black bears can move very quickly over considerable distances if wounded with a poor shot.

Silver Spur Lodge has everything you need for a successful bear hunt.

We have several types of accommodations to choose from for your hunt, including the wilderness log lodge, with all the comforts of home, and the remote back country camps for a better wilderness experience.

For additional information and to reserve your accommodations for the hunt,visit our website, call Rick & Deb at (208) 842-2417 or drop us an email at huntingidaho@silverspurlodge.com.

Hello from Silver Spur Lodge!

Silver Spur Outfitters & Lodge is your complete Idaho outfitter and hunting guide to the Idaho backcountry, from summer trail rides and pack trips to hunting for elk, deer, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain lion and deer, to snowmobiling in the winter. Our wilderness log lodge with all the convenience of home, and our remote back country camps in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the Gospel Hump Wilderness and Nez Perce National forest are sure to make you stay a memorable one. In the summer we’re guiding pack trips, trail ride, trout fishing, wildlife photography trips, and historical gold mining tours in to the wilderness. Our log lodge is in the heart of the wilderness and acts as guest lodge and bed & breakfast for summer and winter guests. The 262 miles of groomed trails make for spectacular snowmobiling and x-country skiing.

The spring & summer in Idaho is spectacular. The backcountry comes alive with flowers and wildlife. The warm pine scented mountain breezes, blue sky, crystal clear streams and blue green forests are a sure way to melt the stress of everyday life away. You can choose to hike or ride our trail proven stock into.

The backcountry. Fish for wild trout in a pristine mountain stream or lake or explore old gold mining areas. Photograph our incredible wildlife, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose and if you’re lucky maybe a wolf!

Camp under the stars in a comfortable tent and reminisce around the evening campfire about the day’s adventures. Or, for the non-camper who wants more luxury, ride out daily and stay in our beautiful log lodge. Whichever you choose our guides are sure to educate you on the history and backcountry of Idaho.

Located in the historic early-day gold mining town of Dixie Idaho 38 miles southeast of Elk City.We can be reached by road or by a small airstrip serviced by backcountry air charter serviced from Boise, Missoula, Spokane or Lewiston.

Dixie Town was started in 1862 when gold was discovered along Crooked Creek, which runs by the lodge. One of the town’s historical buildings is our barn which was the original livery stable built in 1896. At the peak of the gold rush the town had several thousand residents. Today there are about a dozen year-round residents.

So let civilization fade away in the serenity of the Idaho backcountry. We are family oriented and will plan your stay around your interests. Our goal is to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible.

For more information call Rick or Deb at (208) 842-2417
2742 Dixie Rd. Dixie, ID 83525
Or drop us an e-mail, we would like to hear from you!