What a hunt! All of my experiences with MBO [Mackay Bar Outfitters] have been great.
My October 2013 elk hunt was my first big game hunt with MBO. Buck and Joni Dewey (the owners of MBO) provide a first class wilderness experience. So far with MBO, I have fished for steelhead, hunted cats in the winter and had a family gathering/sight-seeing excursion during Spring Break. I have always been treated to professional, friendly service from Buck and Joni and all of the MBO staff.
Whether it’s hunting, fishing or a special event at MBO’s pristine and exclusive resort on the main Salmon River, you can count on world–class service and a truly memorable experience. Buck and Joni are professional, organized, punctual and prepared.
My hunt began with a two-hour jet boat ride to the resort. It was relaxing and exciting. As the river miles went by, my mind was relieved of the demands and stresses of daily life and filled with the anticipation of the hunt. The MBO hunt area, situated in the Frank Church Wilderness, is huge, beautiful and remote. The game there sees very little to no hunting pressure. During my hunt, I encountered no other people. However, I did encounter LOTS of elk as well as mule deer, big horn sheep, upland game and raptors. I didn’t see or hear any wolves. I hunted every day from October 11 through October 17. I hunted in different drainages. Each day, I observed numerous cow elk all with healthy calves. I also saw different age-class bulls each day. During the first few days of my hunt, the bull elk were still bugling like crazy. I can only imagine how much bugling was going on during September! The high-country base camp that MBO had set up was about a three hour stock ride from the resort. The camp was sooooooo nice! Sturdy, warm, roomy, clean and well-stocked. The camp was strategically located. I did not have to travel long or far to get into different areas. There was also plenty of game around camp.
I have big game hunted for 28 years. During that time, I have harvested 68 big game animals from Idaho, Alaska and California with both bow and rifle. Hunting with Buck and Joni Dewey and MBO in the Frank Church Wilderness was truly a grand lifetime experience. And harvesting a giant 330 point, 6×6 bull elk on the third day of my hunt was a fantastic bonus! I can’t wait to hunt with MBO again.
Bill Dean
Meridian, Idaho
