Bugle Elk Combination Rifle Hunt
Primary Hunt Details
• 7-Day/7-Night Hunt
• Elk (primary focus), with opportunity for mule deer, black bear, and wolf
• Dates/Trip Availability: September 14th-21st | September 23rd-30th | October 2nd-9th
• Trophy Quality: 6X6 Elk, 300+
• Opportunity/Success Probability: 80% plus opportunity with more than a 50% success rate for trophy elk
• Hunting Terrain: Pristine wilderness, rugged & remote, physical fitness required
• Guide to Hunter Ratio: 1:1
• Price: $9,900
• Deposit: $4,950
• Non-Hunter: $4,950
• Trip Does Not Include: Flights, license/tags, and gratuity (20% +/-) | All prices subject to 6% Idaho Sales Tax 2%Hotel/Motel Tax for lodging accommodations
Policies
• Deposit: 50% of listed hunt price
• Final Payment: 90 Days prior to hunt.
• Cancellation Policy: Deposits and final payments are non-refundable
• For your peace of mind, we highly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.
• Meat and trophy shipping/processing: This is not included but we can help recommend and facilitate both.
Accommodations + Travel
• Accommodations: wall tent at base camp with one night of lodging at Middle Fork Lodge on the ranch portion of the property.
• Arrival / Departure Summary: Flight from Challis or Boise to Middle Fork Lodge (Thomas Creek airstrip)
***Flight conditions during the fall are much more reliable out of Challis rather than the Boise airport due to the mountain passes between Middle Fork Lodge and Boise. Chartered flights are available out of Challis. Most flights are in a 5 seat, 206, with a carrying capacity of roughly 1000 pounds. Boise flights are roughly twice the cost than those out of Challis and have less reliable schedules.
trip overview
Experience the bugle hunt in the most remote country in the continental U.S. This hunt accesses such extreme rugged and remote country that large bulls rarely encounter hunters in their wild habitat. Middle Fork Lodge is the sole outfitter for over 400 square miles in the Frank Church Wilderness area.
Fly into Thomas Creek Airstrip, located directly across the river from Middle Fork Lodge (accessible only by plane) to meet your guide.
you and your guide…
will then have a full day’s ride to your hunting camp. Once at camp, you will enjoy a pristine wilderness bugle hunt with your guide. Each day you will begin with a short ride from camp where you and your guide will hunt for your trophy bull. Camps include a wall tent for the hunters and separate tents for the cook, guides, and livestock tack.
On the last day, you and your guide will hunt your way back to the lodge where a comfortable bed awaits. Relax and enjoy a hot shower that evening and on the following morning you will be refreshed for your flight back home. Middle Fork Lodge is closed to the public during the winter months and has limited staffing, but you will be given modest accommodations and will dine with your guide and MFL staff.
License | Tags:
Non-Resident Prices
• Tags are limited and MFL will assist in applying for tags and you also have the option of using MFL’s allocated tags.
• Non-Resident deer-tag may be used to tag a black bear, mountain lion, or a gray wolf.
• All IDFG prices below may be subject to change.
Notes
• Flight reservations – Please make sure all flights are reserved well in advance.
• Trip Insurance is always a good idea in case your trip is canceled due to unforeseen complications. Insurance programs also generally offer partial coverage for extra days that clients are forced to stay at a lodging facility due to weather.
• Cell phones will generally not work in the area you will be hunting.
• Batteries for charging units are usually available at hunting camps.
• Wifi is available at Middle Fork Lodge.
suggested packing list
please read below for general packing guidelines
• License & Tags: Make sure your license is signed. It should be carried and in your possession at all times while hunting or fishing.
• Expect shots from 50 yards to 400 yards on up. Whatever the caliber, know your weapon! Get out and shoot! Bring adequate ammunition for firearms. Be sure to bring scope covers.
• Binoculars : As this is fairly open country, you can locate game with a good pair of binoculars. A compact spotting scope can also be a handy item.
• Sleeping Bag: Any type bag that is rated to temperatures as low as 0 or -10 degrees Fahrenheit (compact bags are easiest for us to deal with)
• Pillows with fresh pillow cases, sleeping cots and pads are provided
• Clothing: This list could go on forever, but crucial items are warm clothes that can be put on in layers as temperatures fluctuate. Avoid cotton products for most clothing.
• Two pairs of boots (one well broke in pair for hiking, and one with fairly smooth soles for stirrups on the ride in).
• Warm and rugged socks (four pair +/-)
• Shirts, pants (two pair each +/-)
• Jacket
• Good quality rain gear
• Cap or hat with ear flaps
• Good quality long underwear (avoid cotton)
• Lightweight gloves for shooting and also warm gloves
• Rifle hunters need blaze orange safety wear
• Bow hunters need camouflage outerwear with face paint or head net Items to carry with you while hunting
• Personal pack (to carry your items)
• Good quality headlamp with extra batteries and bulb.
• Small first aid items-medications, cold/flu/pain..., band aids, tape, mole skin
• Camera
• Lighter or matches
• Knife
• Game bags (optional, your guides will also have them available)
• Orange ribbon (optional, your guides will also have them available)
• Compass (optional, your guides will also have them available)
• Thin rope but strong rope (optional, your guides will also have them available)