Hunting Idaho Black Bear in the Bitterroot Mountains

[SilentArcher]

In two and a half weeks (September 14th) I'll be in Idaho again, my third year in a row bear hunting in the Clearwater National Forest with Weitas Creek Outfitters.  I'm a Midwesterner at heart but I can't get enough of the Bitterroot Mountain chain each year I visit.  

In the spring of last year (June 1st) I took this beautiful jet black boar at ten (10) yards with my Firefly Longbow, I still relive that afternoon almost daily.  Gary Haight, the outfitter, invited me back that Fall to try and fill my second tag.  Yes, Idaho has a two (2) bear limit in Unit 10 where Weitas Creek Outfitters guide.

   


Last Fall I passed up on smaller bears looking for that elusive color phase bruiser. I finally got the OK from the "Boss" at the house that if I'm successful on a large color phase she won't begrudge me a full body mount.

Weitas Creek Outfitters is based out of Kamiah, ID and it's owners Gary and Sue Haight are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  Idaho has one of the highest density of North American black bears in the country.  Idaho's out of state license is $152.50 and the bear tags are $31.75, YES $31.75 apiece.  With a two (2) bear limit it's hard not see bears short of announcing your presence while walking to your stand.  Weitas Creek Outfitters does an eight (8) day hunt, lodging, full guide service and all meals for $1,750.00, it's a hell of deal.

Gary Haight  grew up in North Central Idaho and has been guiding since he was 16, a little over 40 years.  He's guided over 900 bear harvests in his lifetime, he knows bears.  The area WCO guides in has a 60% ratio of color phase bears, meaning a majority of the bears are cinnamon, brown or blonde in color.  When I spoke with Gary tonight he told me they still have spots left in their Fall camp this season.  I'm hunting the week of Sept. 14-21st, if you can make it you'll definitely bring back memories of Idaho's beautiful back country, great food, bears up close and meet some really nice folks.


Gary and Sue try and update their hunts on Facebook pretty regularly.
   Weitas Creek Outfitters Facebook page  


Hope to see you in camp!
SA

[Bernie B.]

Wow!  That's a beautiful bear!  Good luck with your quest for number two!  Great looking bow also!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[SKITCH]

Hey Mike, I see your a fellow Okie so I know you were just trying to help out and suggest a great place to hunt....BUT...unless they are sponsors it's against the rules to post ads or links.

I think it would be OK to mention the place you hunted and tell people to look it up on the web or contact you for more info but you should probably remove the links and ad.  Don't be upset when it disappears!!

Here's the rule.....""Working the board" - we do not allow any non Trad Gang sponsor members to use Trad Gang as a vehicle for promoting product or services sales. ANY posting by any member who is not a Trad Gang sponsor, that concerns any gear they are making or services they render, for profit - or any innuendos that might suggest such gear or services are being offered, is strictly forbidden. Such posting is liable to be deleted and that poster's Trad Gang membership may be revoked."

Aside from that....welcome to Trad Gang. Good to see more folks from OK!!