Hunting the Selway

[mconwa951]

Hey guys i am thinking of doing an elk and mule deer hunt this fall in the selway bitterroot wilderness area. I have never been there and have done a lot of research and asking around. Lots of people are telling me that it is so steep and brushy that it is almost un huntable. Anybody been there before had any success?
Not looking to steal anybodies spot just wanna know if it is doable and what i might expect.
Thanks guys
Mike

 

[Elkmen]

Hey guys i am thinking of doing an elk and mule deer hunt this fall in the selway bitterroot wilderness area. I have never been there and have done a lot of research and asking around. Lots of people are telling me that it is so steep and brushy that it is almost un huntable. Anybody been there before had any success?
Not looking to steal anybodies spot just wanna know if it is doable and what i might expect.
Thanks guys
Mike

Steep and ugly, elk numbers are down do to wolves, bears and a hard winter a couple of years ago. Its been so long since I was there I can't recommend a specific area to try. I do remember that you can see "every" rock in the river. Good road access up to the falls. Wish I could be more help.

 

[royinidaho]

I wouldn't consider the Selway without an outfitter.

Its rugged, steep and beautiful!!!

 

[lazylabs]

Is the river runnable during hunting season?

 

[cross]

I wouldn't consider the Selway without an outfitter.

Its rugged, steep and beautiful!!!

Roy is right on here. The elk numbers in the Selway are so low and the country has such limited access that unless I had an outfitter I wouldn't waste my time and money on that hunt. I hunted it about 5 years ago for a couple of days. I saw one elk, a calf that was dead in the creek being chewed on by 2 white wolves and 1 black one. The Idaho Fish and Game have been working feverishly to reduce wolf numbers in that area which means that things are horrible.

If things are only really bad, they'll smile at you, as if you're an idiot, and tell you that things are actually quite peachy.

 

[narfkill]

+1 on the above, we camped at slims(above the falls on meadow creek), hunted hard for two weeks and saw a grand total of ten elk....saw lots of wolf sign though. If we go back that's what we will hunt instead of elk. Tags are cheeper

 

[carpetman2]

I live 30 miles from the Selway and have hunted there for years. All the above comments are true with the exception of "get an outfitter if you go". I know a very good and long time outfitter for the area and last year out of 30 clients they killed 1 elk, and saw nearly the same.

It's over for that great country. As for the river, it is permit only above the falls and has some very rough water. I would consider almost anywhere else but central idaho to hunt...unless it's for wolves and whitetail. I'm thinking myself of going to Colorado just to give what few elk we still have one less to worry about.

 

[blackdog]

I went to work for an outfitter about 15 years ago, all excited to get to guide in the famed Selway Bitterroot wilderness. About day 2 I started regretting my decision. I ended up guiding in there for 6 years and it's a bitch! Steep, rugged, brushy, not a lot of game before the wolves. Not it's destroyed and doesn't sound like it's coming back.

There are soooooo many better choices out there I would not suggest heading to the Selway.

 

[mconwa951]

I live 30 miles from the Selway and have hunted there for years. All the above comments are true with the exception of "get an outfitter if you go". I know a very good and long time outfitter for the area and last year out of 30 clients they killed 1 elk, and saw nearly the same.

It's over for that great country. As for the river, it is permit only above the falls and has some very rough water. I would consider almost anywhere else but central idaho to hunt...unless it's for wolves and whitetail. I'm thinking myself of going to Colorado just to give what few elk we still have one less to worry about.

so with the feedback of this site and another i am thinking i am gonna pass for elk but possible do a bear hunt in the spring or maybe a deer hunt in the fall would there be decent whitetail or mule deer numbers in the selway. I have mid sept open and am looking to do a good wilderness rifle hunt so wondering if deer hunt in there would be worth it. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Mike

 

[carpetman2]

Should still be good bear hunting and be sure to get a wolf tag. But the deer numbers are down, and several friends of mine have been back as far as the moose creek area and never saw a single deer. If you want deer, go north or stay around agriculture, or go south and hunt the desert units. Sorry, it's just not even close to what it used to be.

 

[D.ID]

You can get two wolf tags per person, so............. do not get A tag, get TAGS and bring a friend.

 

[reg97048]

I am also looking to hunt the Selway Bitterroot out of the Hamilton, MT area. Any packers in the area anyone can put me in contact with? I am looking to go to a specific area my dad used to hunt years ago before he passed so I am just looking for pack-in pack-out and basecamp options, not full guide service.

 

[OrphanMaker]

I am also looking to hunt the Selway Bitterroot out of the Hamilton, MT area. Any packers in the area anyone can put me in contact with? I am looking to go to a specific area my dad used to hunt years ago before he passed so I am just looking for pack-in pack-out and basecamp options, not full guide service.

I was just there this past October, Cameron Outfitters had a huge guided operation with horses in that area. Give them a call, maybe they could be hired to help?