Just got back from my Frank Church Wilderness hunt in area 27 of Idaho. What an experience......attached a few photos of my harvest...my first mule deer and elk.
Hope the pics show up o.k.

Preview	Attachment	Size
	100_7637.jpg	664.25 KB
	100_7486.jpg	979.28 KB
	100_7670.jpg	1.15 MB

Fantastic!!! CONGRATS.

Way to go

Good Stuff
Tell us a little about your trip.

did you happen to see or know of any black bear hunting in the that area any info is appreciated

sorry for the delay...a little about my trip...
First...after several months of working out I severely sprained my ankle 2 weeks before the hunt...no fractures, so doc said to tape up like a football player would in a big game, so I woke up every morning about 3:00 a.m. and taped my ankle for 45 minutes or so.
I did use an outfitter...flew a puddle jumper from Boise about 75 miles north outside the Frank Church Wilderness Area to his ranch......glad I took some horseback riding lessons as well.
Being my first trip in many years hunting this type country, and really my first trip in these weather conditions I am glad I purchased the proper clothing, i.e. under armour cold gear, wool, Schnees pack boots, etc., more wool and more wool.
You see....I am from South Texas and we don't have much cold down here. One morning it was near 4 degrees when we took off on horses, and got colder as we rode higher.
Shot the deer the first day...he was with 6 does and in full rut....ended up a 24" wide 4 x 4 when the taxidermist measured....with a fogged up scope , me breathing hard from the climb, shooting uphill on about a 60 degree incline at 200 yards my Browning A bolt did the job in one shot...deer slid down the hill so fast and stopped on a tree stump before he ran over me....was not sure I made the righr decision being the first day but I nor any of the other hunters saw a bigger deer during the time I was there.
I really was not after elk but since I had a tag went out the 3rd day in a true blizzard...guide said winds were probably @ 40-50 miles an hour...we glassed most of the day with no decent bulls spotted....on the way back from our 12 mile ride into the wildermess spotted a herd of elk with this 5 x 5 bull...I told the guide I would rather wait for a bigger one, but he convinced me to at least take a closer look....after a 1000 yard stalk in 18" snow and falling down continually due to the terrain and suprises underneath the snow...I was exhausted.
Got within 100 yards of the cows he was with, which started to spook due to some mule deer nearby spotting us.
Finally saw the bull at 300 yards, ranged him and decided to shoot...long story longer... shot 4 times, hit vitals twice(found out later) and he still ran approx. 200 yards before falling...my range finder had him laying at 415 yards even after he slid down the mountain closer to us after my last shot....a little luck, and best of it....no meat ruined.
I did not realize how good elk meat tasted when they are not in full rut....may have to think about going again for elk.
Kinda glad to finish up after the 4th day as my ankle was swolen....and it is true what they say about losing weight on these trips...lost 15 lbs. and ate like a pig the whole time I was there.
Thought I would attach a couple more photos....I am really hooked now.
Cant wait to do it again...REGARDS.

Preview	Attachment	Size
	100_7454.jpg	663.68 KB
	100_7466.jpg	819.23 KB
	100_7449.jpg	930.65 KB

Thanks for the story and again congrats!!! I LOVE the looks of that deer. Idaho has quite the terrain. I love it.

Also, which side of 27 did you hunt (west or east)? East side takes you on up to the Bighorn Craigs. Loon Cr is on the east side. Who was your outfitter? Would you recommend them?

DID YOU SEE ANY SHEEP????????????????

kociag, Great story of your hunt. Congratulations on getting both your muley and wapiti. I'd like to see your bull too. Thanks

yes elk meat is phenominal. My wife rides my ass until i bring one home. once agian, congrats on the trip.

tim