Elk Hunt - 2004

By Eddie Booth, Nevada

John- This is an email to a friend in Cour de lane, Idaho. His name is Jim Arnold.
 
Jim-
  As usual, it was great to hear from you.  We do miss having you so close, but our plans are to visit you in Idaho, hopefully this Spring.  The elk hunt Tom Merschel and I went on was terrific! As I mentioned, we applied for the Idaho elk for this area as a result of researching success ratios and quality of hunt for this venture.  We also researched guide services extensively and after many hours on the internet and telephone talking to references we chose, York Outfitters.
 
  The guide service is owned by John Law, and is operated by his family and the guides who have been hunting with him in the area or have graduated from his guide school. Their family home is in Grangeville, and their base camp is outside Elk City about 45 miles heading East into the exclusive Selway Bitterroot Wilderness area. His guide school involves not only individual responsibilities as a guide, but also preparation for maintenance of equipment, handling of horses and mules, as well as training for providing exemplary customer service.  We were pleased to see quality tack and livestock to get to our destination at a spike camp.  We wanted to spend our time hunting, not repairing or waiting for supplies.  Thus, every waking hour of the day, unless we chose not to, we were hunting.  Our guide, Randy Armine was from Washington, and though young, had extensive experience hunting and calling elk.  He was very kind and polite. He even let us cook while we enjoyed our evening cocktail. His elk calling skills brought the big 6 point elk within 20 yards of both of us. Tom had the better shot and down it went. After capeing it and storing the meat, a radio call was made for them to send the pack horses up to the site.  The spike camp was fun, yet very physical, and the base camp has the cook and sleeping sheds shown on their website. 

The food and cooking utensils at the spike camp were all arranged by Kolleen, Johns' wife, without complaint, and believe me we did not go hungry. The menu was excellent! She is also there to help coordinate the arrangements which is helpful when you are new to the area and this particular guiding service. I have been on other guided hunts in remote areas, and this ranks among the top.  If you are looking for catered meals and a 5-star resort, with Jacuzzi and evening entertainment, this is not it!
 
  Anyone who enjoys hunting, has a good personality and likes people,  would enjoy this hunt with York Outfitters. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 775-623-5644(home) or 775-304-0577(cell).Eddie