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Mackay Bar Outfitters offers premier guided Idaho elk hunts in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, one of the most remote and lightly pressured elk hunting areas in the Lower 48. Our hunts begin from our private ranch on the Salmon River and access wilderness country that few hunters ever reach.
By combining jet boat transportation, horse and mule pack-ins, and experienced guides, we provide hunters access to expansive backcountry terrain with minimal human pressure and an authentic fair-chase wilderness experience.
Wilderness Access & Hunt Logistics
All Mackay Bar Outfitters elk hunts—early season, late season, and select DIY options—begin with a 26-mile jet boat ride from the Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp to Mackay Bar Ranch on the Salmon River.
Once at the ranch, guides saddle horses and mules before riding 5–7 hours into the Frank Church Wilderness, where each hunt officially begins. This level of access places hunters deep into rugged, roadless country where hunting pressure is extremely limited. While all hunts take place on public land, sightings of other hunters are rare due to the remoteness and difficulty of access.
Four Options for Mackay Bar Elk / Deer Hunts
Please note! This is a VERY physically demanding hunt. Prior to accepting any deposits – we will ask you the following questions in order to screen/review if this is the hunt for you:
- What is your height/weight/age?
- This is a VERY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING hunt. To be successful, 90% of that relies on you being physically capable to get around in our Idaho Wilderness. Straight up and straight down! If you have bad knees, bad heart, illnesses, or any other ailment that would hinder you to physically perform, THIS HUNT IS NOT FOR YOU. We feel it is very important to make that very clear so that you can mentally and physically prepare for this amazing hunt.
September 15th Opening
Our early season, any weapon, Idaho elk hunts begin September 15th and take place during peak rut activity. These hunts are fully guided with guaranteed elk tags provided and focus on locating, calling, and bugling mature bull elk across high-quality wilderness habitat.
Hunters stay in our comfortable wall tent camp equipped with wood-burning stoves and showers. A full-time camp chef prepares hearty, well-planned meals daily, allowing hunters to focus entirely on the hunt.
Our hand-selected guides bring decades of experience hunting elk in Idaho’s backcountry. Their knowledge of elk behavior, terrain, and seasonal movement patterns allows us to consistently provide high-quality guided elk hunts in one of Idaho’s most iconic wilderness areas.
Un-Guided Wilderness Hunts
In October, Mackay Bar Outfitters offers DIY drop camp combo elk/deer hunts for hunters seeking a self-guided wilderness experience.
Hunters must draw their own tags for these hunts. Mackay Bar Outfitters provides jet boat transportation to Mackay Bar Ranch, then packs hunters, gear, and supplies into our high-country wilderness camp using horses and mules. Camp consists of the same fully stocked wall tents that our fully guided camp offers and is furnished for backcountry living with items such as tables, chairs, cook gear, cots, showers, and firewood.
Hunters hunt on foot throughout the week. While these hunts are not fully guided and do not include a camp cook, we return at the end of the hunt (or mid hunt if a meat run is needed) to pack harvested animals and gear out of the wilderness and transport hunters back to the Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp by jet boat. Walkin cold storage is provided for mid week meat runs at our remote Mackay Bar Ranch lodge.
November Idaho Elk & Deer Combo Hunts
Our November Idaho elk and deer hunts offer a classic late-season wilderness experience as elk transition into predictable winter patterns. These hunts emphasize glassing, patience, and strategic movement across vast, rugged country.
Late-season hunts take place after elk have dispersed from rut behavior, offering consistent elk sightings and excellent opportunities for hunters who value solitude, remote terrain, and traditional fair-chase hunting. These hunts are ideal for hunters looking to pursue elk deep in the Frank Church Wilderness with minimal pressure.
November also coincides with increased trophy deer movement. While deer tags are drawn separately and cannot be guaranteed (unlike our guaranteed elk tags), many hunters appreciate the potential to experience outstanding trophy deer activity alongside their elk hunt.
As with our early season hunts, late-season hunters enjoy jet boat transportation, horse and mule access, experienced guides, full-service camps, and quality meals prepared by a full-time cook.
We also offer DIY jet boat transportation drop camps to select beaches along the Salmon River within the Frank Church Wilderness.
These hunts are ideal for experienced hunters looking for flexible access to remote river corridors. Drop locations, drainages, and timing vary by season and water conditions. Hunters must contact us directly to discuss availability, appropriate locations, and logistics.
- Guided Idaho elk/deer hunts in the Frank Church Wilderness
- Jet boat access from Vinegar Creek to private ranch base
- Horse and mule pack-ins deep into wilderness country
- Extremely limited hunting pressure on public land
- Fully guided early and late season elk hunts
- October DIY wilderness drop camp hunts
- Experienced, professional elk guides
- Comfortable wall tent camps with wood-burning stoves and showers
- Full-time camp chefs on guided hunts
- Ethical, fair-chase backcountry hunting
