If you’re an experienced DIY hunter and looking for a less expensive option for the DIY hunter, one of our elk drop camp hunts might be just what you’re looking for. They are truly 100% unguided elk hunts, and no one will be there to help you hunt. But you’ll be dropped off in camp within “easy” range of your elk hunting area. The outfitter will pack you, and your gear into a backcountry camp, and at the end of your hunt, pack you out, along with your elk.
Elk Drop Camps are usually set up prior to your arrival.
The camps for these drop camp elk hunts are set up prior to your arrival. Camp consists of two wall tents, cooking and eating utensils, propane cook stove, lanterns, heaters and cots. You provide your personal gear and food. The outfitter will pack you and your gear into and out of camp, and will also pack out your elk.
These elk hunts are completely unguided, so be prepared to do it yourself.
Hunters need to be prepared to bring (in most cases), and cook their own meals. They’ll also have to cut firewood and do basic camp chores. Lastly, drop camp hunters need to know how to skin, quarter and pack their elk to an area where the outfitter can get the mules. Ideally, a drop camp consists of a group of four hunters. However, in some situations, groups of six are possible.Drop camps aren’t for everybody, but they might be for you if you have previous elk hunting experience and are comfortable hunting in the backcountry on your own.
If this sounds like too much, we also have fully guided elk hunts as well as landowner tags available if a drop camp isn’t what you’re looking for.
New Mexico Elk Drop Camp Hunts
- Archery Season takes place in September and your hunt will go for a period of six days.
- Rifle and Muzzleloader season are from October 1st through December 31st. Your hunt will last for five days (add a day to both ends of your hunt for packing in and out)
- Most of our New Mexico elk hunters have the opportunity to harvest mature bulls.
- These are usually wilderness hunt so make sure you get yourself in the proper shape.
- This hunt is unguided, no-one will be there to help you hunt but you will be dropped off in camp.
Idaho
Elk Drop Camp Hunts
- In Idaho,200-280 inch 5×5’s and 6×6’s are the goal, with the occasional 300+ inch bull being taken.
- Archery elk hunting in Idaho can be very good if you can get off the beaten path. This drop hunt is the perfect way to do just that.
- Idaho elk drop camp hunts are typically seven days with five full days of hunting and two days for pack in and pack out.
- Idaho has guaranteed archery elk tags (when applied for prior to application deadlines).
- Idaho has earned a reputation for being steep and rugged, for good reason, and these hunts should be taken seriously as any mountain hunt. It would be in your best interest to be in elk shape.
You’ll need to be in good shape for elk hunting!
Your physical condition will determine, not only your success, but also what type of hunt you can even manage…being in “elk shape” is paramount!
If you’re not in great shape, you can hunt hard to draw, private land units with high elk numbers and relatively easy terrain, which is great, but more expensive. You could also go to a hunting estate. Being in shape will give you more options, like packing in to wall tent camps with moderate to steep terrain. Or for the more hardcore hunter, a remote, hunt off your back trip with horse pack-out support.
Elevations usually range from 8,000 to 10,000 ft. Horse support will most often be available to pack out harvested animals. You might see elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. This type of hunt is a true adventure…if you’re prepared.
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Our hunt was excellent.
We saw bucks every day along with all other sorts of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, and foxes were common sights. Fishing and crabbing was special bonus. The food was excellent, the crew was amazing. Outdoors International did a great job of finding exactly what we were looking for.
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The hunting lodge was out of this world!, Rooms, food and the scenery were all A+. Our guide was exceptional and had us on Shiras moose all five days. We saw over 30 total with at least 10 bulls. They had a plan for everything including taxidermy and game processing.
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