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[Hambone]

I drew a tag for Idaho area 27-2, a very remote and rugged area. Found out this weekend that I can't hire a packer to take me in and out, I have to go with a licensed outfitter for that area. Under Idaho law an outfitter has exclusive rights to their area. Their cheapest hunt is way beyond my means so it is DIY for me. Besides getting in top shape (I know that, I've been hunting in the Rockies for the last 12 years) anybody have any good advice on doing a sheep hunt on your own? I can drive to the very northern tip of my area but I have to cross the Salmon River and climb out of the canyon to start hunting. The area comes to a point there (the mouth of the Middle Fork of the Salmon) so I have to go in a couple of miles (maybe) to get into a drainage that I can hunt. Can't fly in, can't float in, can't even jet boat up the Middle Fork - not allowed. My biggest concern (after getting in and finding sheep - I hope!) is getting the meat and trophy out in good shape. I'm also interested in partnering with any elk hunters who want to go in there and have their own horses. I'm willing to do my share on a partnership.

[NONYA]

I would say maybe putting an add in a couple local papers in your tag area looking for hunting "partners" who have horses and want to "go along" on a sheep hunt.

[donmillion]

NONYA wrote: I would say maybe putting an add in a couple local papers in your tag area looking for hunting "partners" who have horses and want to "go along" on a sheep hunt.

I would suggest being very careful about doing this sort of thing. Not sure what the laws are in Idaho, but I know that in some Canadian provinces you can get yourself in a whole lot of trouble by trying to circumvent the laws requiring a guide in this way.

[Hambone]

donmillion,

Not required to have a guide by law, just have to use the outfitter that controls that area if I hire someone to take me in there. I can go in on my own or with someone as long as I am not paying for their services.

[NONYA]

Covering the costs of travel,horses,ect would not be considered payment,so anyone who wants to go along on a free packtrip may be interested in your situation.

[donmillion]

NONYA wrote: Covering the costs of travel,horses,ect would not be considered payment.

Don't bet on it. They might very well be.

Then again, they might not. I don't know and neither do you. Just be sure you find out for sure before you risk losing your hunting license over it.

[NONYA]

if they are not thats like saying paying for your gas on the way there will get you in trouble,taking someone along on your hunt and covering his costs would be the same thing also,check it out and Im sure you will find that this is permissable.

[fuzzybear]

If I had to jump through hoops and find loopholes to hunt an area. I'd be looking for a better place to hunt. The risks wouldn't be worth it.

[NONYA]

True what a pointless law,thats called making it so tough to hunt that people wont hunt,they like that stratagy here in MT also.

[donmillion]

NONYA wrote: if they are not thats like saying paying for your gas on the way there will get you in trouble

Yep. And in some cases that can get you into quite a lot of trouble. As an example that I am personally familiar with, if you are a private pilot and you and a buddy fly somewhere, and he pays for more than half the gas, then the FAA considers that he has hired you to fly him and (unless you have a commercial license) you will lose you pilot's license for doing that.

Maybe it's permissible and maybe it's not in this case. I don't know for sure. I'm just saying that there are cases where the law considers anything other than a straight down the middle sharing of costs to be "hiring" someone, and I wouldn't want to risk losing my hunting privileges over it.

I think it's worth being sure.

[Hambone]

I'm aware of the hazards of skirting the law and don't intend to do so. Right now I am networking with friends and acquaintances trying to find somebody with horses who wants to go in there with me and share a hunt. Nothing wrong with that.

[tim]

i am confused, why not use stoddard pack bridge? crosses the salmon right near the confluence of the middle fork and the main.

I just did a float on the middle fork and i also got my ram in big creek last year. The impassable canyon area is pretty rugged that is for sure.

also why couldn't you wait until permit season on the middle fork is over and fly into the flying b and float down?

tim

[Hambone]

The pack bridge is on the opposite side of the middle fork from my area so I would have to get across the middle fork somehow. Floating is a way to get in there but I have no experience or equipment to do that and from what I understand if an outfitter is floating me down for the purpose of hunting they have to have permission from the outfitter licensed for that area. Besides, when you float you are starting from the lowest point and climbing up out of the canyon to get to the sheep. If you get one, you then have to pack it all the way back down to the water. If I have horses they can help me get around and also pack out the meat once I get it to where they can go. The outfitter for that area does do float trips later in the season - for $12 grand!

[NONYA]

Sounds like you should have done your homework before you aplied for this tag,Ive never heard of a hunt that is damn difficult to do.

[Hambone]

I have a couple of possibilities for horses I am talking to. They are guys that have pack horses and would be willing to go in there to get their pack team ready for hunting seasons. Remoteness has its drawbacks and its benefits. Supposed to be some good rams in this unit and I don't expect a crowd. However you cut it it's gonna be an adventure and the hunt of a lifetime.