Private Elk & Mule Deer Combo Hunt - Idaho
Private Trip
Big game hunting
Professional elk and mule deer hunting in CaribouTarghee National ForestNineday guided adventure with seven full hunting days includedHorseback access to remote wilderness hunting grounds
Looking for a world-class hunting experience in some of Idaho's most pristine backcountry? Saddle Horn Outfitters runs top-rated elk and mule deer combo hunts deep in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, where the game is plentiful and the country is wild. This isn't your typical road-hunting setup—we're talking horseback pack-ins to remote camps where trophy bulls bugle at first light and big muleys ghost through the timber. Our 9-day hunts give you 7 full days to work the country, with experienced guides who know every ridge, drainage, and game trail in this legendary hunting ground.
This hunt is built around getting you into the animals, not sitting in a truck hoping something walks by. We pack in on horseback to establish spike camps in the heart of elk and mule deer country, where you'll wake up to bugling bulls and the sound of hooves on rock. The setup is two hunters per guide unless you upgrade to one-on-one service for that extra $1,250—and honestly, if you want the full attention and flexibility to hunt your way, it's worth every penny. You'll need to handle 8-hour days in the saddle during pack-in and pack-out, but don't worry if you've never been on a horse—our stock is solid, dependable, and used to carrying hunters through steep, rocky terrain. The 300-pound weight limit includes your gear, so pack smart and leave the kitchen sink at home. We cover all your meals from breakfast through dinner, so you can focus on glassing ridgelines and working game trails instead of worrying about camp chores.
The Caribou-Targhee gives you everything from dense timber to open parks, steep canyon country to rolling ridges—prime habitat that holds both resident herds and migrating animals. Early morning and late evening glassing sessions are where most of our success happens, picking apart distant hillsides for feeding elk or that telltale flash of antler in the aspens. The elevation here runs from 6,000 to over 9,000 feet, so weather can change fast and you'll want layers that can handle everything from shirt-sleeve mornings to sudden snow squalls. We hunt on foot once we're positioned, covering ground methodically and using terrain to stay hidden while closing distance. The mule deer here are mountain-smart and spook at the first sign of pressure, so we glass extensively before making any moves. Elk behavior shifts throughout the season—early hunts might catch the tail end of rutting activity with responsive bulls, while later seasons focus more on feeding patterns and migration routes. Wind direction is everything in this country, and our guides read thermals like a weather map to keep your scent out of the game.
Rocky Mountain elk are the crown jewel of western hunting, and Idaho's Caribou-Targhee country grows some genuine giants. Mature bulls here run 320 to 400 inches, with heavy-bodied 6x6s being the standard for what we consider a shooter. These aren't the elk you'll find near roads—they're backcountry bulls that have learned to use terrain and stay in the thick stuff during daylight hours. September hunts catch bulls during the rut when they're vocal and aggressive, making them more responsive to calling but also more unpredictable. October and November hunts target post-rut bulls that have settled into winter feeding patterns, often grouping up in bachelor herds on north-facing slopes where the feed stays green longer. What makes elk hunting so addictive is their intelligence and adaptability—one day they'll be bugling from every ridge, the next they'll go completely silent and seem to vanish into thin air.
Mule deer in this country are a different challenge entirely, with mature bucks that have survived multiple seasons by being ghosts in the timber. The rocky breaks and aspen groves provide perfect cover for big muleys, and they use every bit of it. These deer bed in the nastiest, steepest country they can find and often won't move until the last possible second. A 160-class buck is respectable, while anything over 180 inches is the kind of deer that gets your heart pumping. Late season muleys bunch up and start their migration patterns, concentrating in areas with good winter feed and southern exposure. What hunters love about mule deer is their explosive escape—unlike whitetails that sneak through cover, a spooked muley will bound away in those classic stiff-legged jumps, often stopping just long enough to look back and give you a shot if you're ready.
This combo hunt gives you the best of both worlds—the rush of bugling elk and the challenge of hunting mountain mule deer, all in some of Idaho's most productive backcountry. The 50% deposit holds your spot, with the balance due by June 1st, giving you plenty of time to get your gear dialed in and your tags squared away. Keep in mind that licenses, tags, and that 6% Idaho sales tax aren't included in the hunt price, so factor those into your budget. The Caribou-Targhee consistently produces quality animals year after year, and Saddle Horn's reputation for putting hunters on game speaks for itself. Whether you're looking for your first elk or trying to upgrade your wall hanger, this hunt delivers the kind of experience that keeps hunters coming back season after season. Don't wait until the last minute—the best dates fill up fast, and you don't want to spend another year watching hunting shows when you could be living it.
Rocky Mountain elk are the kings of these Idaho mountains, with mature bulls hitting 700-900 pounds and cows around 500. They're herd animals that move between high alpine meadows in summer and lower timber country when snow flies. September through October gives you the best action during the rut when bulls are bugling and less cautious. What makes elk special is the challenge—they're incredibly smart, have amazing senses, and live in some of the toughest country you'll find. The meat quality is outstanding, lean and clean-tasting. Here's something most hunters don't know: elk almost always travel the path of least resistance between bedding and feeding areas. Find those well-worn trails along ridge saddles or creek bottoms, and you'll cut sign every time.
Preston, ID