Mule Deer Rut Combination Rifle Hunt
Primary Hunt Details
• 7-Day/6-Night Hunt
• Mule deer (primary focus), with opportunity for elk, bear, and gray wolf
• Dates/Trip Availability: November 3rd-9th | November 13th-19th - may vary by year, your trip date will be confirmed with you
• Trophy Quality: 4X4, 160+
• Opportunity/Success Probability: 80% plus opportunity with more than a 60% plus success rate for trophy mule deer
• Hunting Terrain: Pristine wilderness, rugged & remote, physical fitness required
• Guide to Hunter Ratio: 1:1
• Price: $8,800
• Deposit: $4,400
• Non-Hunter: $4,000
• Trip Does Not Include: Flights, license/tags, and gratuity (20% +/-) | All prices subject to 6% Idaho Sales Tax
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 a base camp.
• 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 and weather 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 approximately twice the cost than those out of Challis and have less reliable schedules.
trip overview
Experience the wilderness late mule deer hunt in the most remote country in the continental U.S. This hunt accesses such extreme rugged and remote country that mule deer bucks may be hunted during their rut. These bucks come out of their haunts in search of does, which make them much more accessible to our hunters. Middle Fork Lodge is the sole outfitter for over 400 square miles of the wilderness area.
fly into . . .
one of the Frank Church Wilderness’ remote airstrips (accessible only by plane) to meet your guide. You and your guide will then have a half day’s ride to your hunting camp. Once at your camp you will enjoy a pristine wilderness rut 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 mule deer. Camps include a wall tent for the hunters and separate tents for the cook, guides, and livestock tack. On your last day you and your guides will navigate via horse back to the back country airstrip where your journey began.
License | Tags:
Non-Resident 2024 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.
• Please call for current IDFG license and tag prices.
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)