John Blankenship: Idaho Elk Hunt Report

TRIP TAKEN: Idaho Elk Hunt
CONSULTANT: Kyle Hanson, Outdoors International

October, 2020

Words can hardly describe what I consider the greatest adventure of my life.

The outfitter and his wife run an absolutely outstanding operation. It all starts with a 3-4 hour horseback ride into the Frank Church Wilderness. The stock is well trained and fit a wide range of riding skill levels. From the moment leaving the trailhead, you feel as if you’re traveling back in time. The scenery alone is worth the price of admission.

The camp is set on a flat within a beautiful drainage of the mountains, with a view to the south, that extends for miles. Comfortable accommodations, with plenty of space for stretching out and your gear. Megan, the outfitters wife was our camp chef for the week. I say chef because the meals prepared went well beyond cooking and were borderline masterpieces. She made backcountry cooking an art form. At no point breakfast, lunch, dinner or the snacks in between was I disappointed in a meal. Thank you again, Meagan.

We rode horses out of camp three to five miles making our way to glassing points each day.

Again the scenery is beyond my ability to describe. We found a herd of elk about six miles out from camp and was able to put a successful stalk on a 4×4 bull. Although harvesting my first elk was the primary reason for the trip and I’m thankful for the success, I quickly realized that the harvest was ultimately the least important portion of the adventure. I will say these final thoughts. I am grateful for everyone involved. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as they did to ensure I enjoyed my trip, and I know I would have not accomplished this life’s dream adventure without them. They are amazing people!

The only caution or heads up I would give to anyone wanting to do a hunt in the Frank Church and this has no bearing on the outfitter.

Don’t think that you’re going to be seeing animals everywhere. I would consider this the only negative finding of my trip. I figured being 10-15 miles deep into the wilderness, there would be more elk and deer to view. Now I saw elk and killed an elk so this may be nothing.

My Hunting Consultant is Kyle Hanson with Outdoors International.

Kyle kept in contact all the way leading up to my trip and afterward. His diligence helped ensure I chose the right organization. Thank you, Kyle, I hope your mule deer trip went well.

I hope to. Overall, my Idaho elk hunt was amazing, I couldn’t have asked for more.

• My outfitter’s communication before, during and after the trip was perfect, I couldn’t have asked for more.
• My guide was amazing.
• Physically, the trip was extreme.
• The food was amazing.
• The accommodations were amazing.
• Would you book another trip with us in the future? Yes.
• Can we use your stories and/or photos on our website? Yes.
• Can we use this in social media? Yes.

Thank you Outdoors International!

It was an amazing steelhead fishing trip! I brought my dad along with me and we slayed the fish. If you guys aren't applying for the OI Draws, you should. They're legit!

Tyler Kirk / OI Draw Winner

I couldn't believe we won!

We won this fully guided, all-inclusive New Zealand red stag hunt in the OI Draw! I highly recommend this hunt, and Outdoors International—fantastic company, amazing meals, and hunts that are second to none.

Brandon Ball / OI Draw Winner

I'm so grateful for the opportunity!

Thank you to Outdoors International, all the PH's and their awesome staff. I made some new friends and will be back to Africa again 100%.

Brye Mangum / OI Draw Winner

My most memorable and rewarding experience.

This was my first guided hunt, and the outfitter was amazing. He was able to keep me motivated and encouraged to hold out for true trophies. I would rate him on an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10! I never thought Africa would be a reality for me. Thank you Outdoors International.

Dason Lasater / OI Draw Winner

Outdoors International

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