Semi-Guided Archery Elk & Deer Hunt in Idaho
Private Trip
Big game hunting
Sevenday semiguided archery hunt for elk and deerRemote CaribouTarghee National Forest terrain with horseback accessSingle hunter capacity ensures personalized hunting experience
If you're looking for a real backcountry bowhunting adventure that'll test your skills and reward your patience, this semi-guided combo hunt in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest is exactly what you've been searching for. Saddle Horn Outfitters runs a tight operation here, taking just one hunter at a time into some of the most pristine elk and deer country you'll find anywhere. This isn't a hand-holding experience – it's designed for serious bowhunters who know their way around a compound or recurve and are ready to put in the work for a shot at trophy Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer. You'll spend seven days total with five full hunting days in country that most hunters only dream about accessing.
This hunt kicks off with a pack-in day that sets the tone for everything that follows. You'll be riding horseback for up to eight hours through some seriously rugged terrain to reach your hunting camp, so come prepared both mentally and physically. Don't worry if you're not a seasoned rider – Saddle Horn's stock animals are calm, reliable, and used to carrying hunters into the backcountry. The 300-pound weight limit includes all your gear, so pack smart and prioritize your essentials. Once you're in camp, you're looking at five solid days of hunting pressure-free country where elk haven't been bumped by other hunters. The semi-guided format means you'll get solid intel on animal patterns, wind direction, and the best spots to set up, but you'll be doing the stalking and calling yourself. All your meals are covered – breakfast to fuel up before dawn, trail lunch to keep you going during long sits, and hearty dinners back at camp. The pack-out day is another long ride, but you'll hopefully be packing meat and maybe some antlers alongside your gear.
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest throws everything at you – dense timber, open parks, steep ridges, and creek bottoms that funnel game movement. Early morning and late evening are prime time, just like anywhere else, but this country offers midday opportunities if you know how to read the thermals and find the bedding areas. Your bow setup needs to be dialed in perfectly before you arrive – there's no pro shop out here to fix a timing issue or replace a broken string. Bring backup everything: arrows, broadheads, release aids, and string materials. The elevation runs high here, so your arrows will fly a bit different than at sea level. Most successful hunters on this hunt are running 70-80 pound draw weights with fixed-blade broadheads that punch through heavy bone. Range-finding is crucial in this terrain where a 30-yard shot can look like 50 yards, and that 60-yard poke might actually be pushing 80. Wind swirls unpredictably in the canyons and ridges, so pay attention to thermals and have multiple approach routes planned for each setup location. Scent control matters more here than anywhere – these animals haven't been educated by constant hunting pressure, but they're naturally wary and will disappear at the first hint of human scent.
Rocky Mountain elk are the main attraction here, and for good reason. Bulls in this unit regularly push 300+ inches, with mature animals carrying heavy antlers and thick bodies that'll fill your freezer for months. September is prime time for bowhunting elk – the rut is firing up, bulls are bugling regularly, and they're moving during daylight hours chasing cows and defending territory. A mature bull elk stands five feet at the shoulder and can weigh 700-900 pounds, making shot placement absolutely critical. These animals are tough as nails and will cover serious ground even with a good hit, so be prepared for potentially long tracking jobs. The country here holds solid bull-to-cow ratios because hunting pressure stays light in the remote areas. Elk in this region follow predictable patterns – feeding in the parks at dawn and dusk, bedding in thick timber during midday heat, and using established trails to move between feeding and bedding areas. The excitement of calling in a screaming bull elk with your bow in hand is something that never gets old, whether it's your first or your fiftieth. Mule deer here are equally impressive, with bucks regularly scoring in the 170-190 class. These deer are classic high-country muleys – big-bodied, thick-antlered, and smart as they come. They'll use the terrain to their advantage, often bedding where they can see for miles and smell anything approaching from below. October is typically peak for mule deer hunting as bucks start focusing on does and become slightly less cautious during daylight hours.
This hunt books up fast because word gets around when an outfitter consistently puts hunters on quality animals in pristine country. The 50% deposit locks in your dates, with the balance due by June first – plenty of time to get your gear sorted and your shooting dialed in. Remember that your hunting license and tags aren't included in the hunt cost, and Idaho adds a 6% sales tax on top of everything. But when you're sitting around camp after a successful hunt, watching the stars come out over country that looks exactly like it did 200 years ago, you'll know every penny was worth it. This isn't a guaranteed harvest – it's a guaranteed adventure in some of the best elk and deer country in the lower 48. If you're ready to test your bowhunting skills against world-class game in their backyard, it's time to get your name on Saddle Horn's calendar. Spots fill up months in advance, especially for prime September dates, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your tag for next season.
Rocky Mountain elk are the kings of our high country here in the Caribou-Targhee. Bulls can tip 700+ pounds with antlers spanning five feet, while cows run around 500. They're herd animals that love the timber edges and meadows between 6,000-9,000 feet. Early September brings the rut when bulls bugle and get aggressive - that's prime time for archery. These elk bed in thick cover during midday heat, then move to feed in open parks at dawn and dusk. What makes them special? Pure intelligence and challenge. They'll disappear like ghosts if they wind you. The meat's outstanding too - lean and flavorful. Here's the key: hunt the thermals. Morning air flows downhill, evening flows up. Stay below them in morning, above in evening, and keep that wind in your favor. One mistake and they're gone for miles.
Preston, ID