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Idaho Wilderness Outfitters has been guiding hunters and anglers through central Idaho's wilderness since 1985, when local cowboy Milt Butler founded the operation with the idea of sharing Sun Valley's outdoor opportunities with visitors. Bryant Dunn has continued the tradition for the past 20 years...
Own Idaho Wilderness Outfitters?
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Full description and what we offer
Idaho Wilderness Outfitters has been guiding hunters and anglers through central Idaho's wilderness since 1985, when local cowboy Milt Butler founded the operation with the idea of sharing Sun Valley's outdoor opportunities with visitors. Bryant Dunn has continued the tradition for the past 20 years, building what the company describes as Idaho's largest land-based hunting outfit through the consolidation of four separate outfitting businesses.
Operating out of Ketchum near world-famous Sun Valley, IWO guides hunters through some of the most remote wilderness areas in the Northern Rockies. The outfit holds permits from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Sawtooth National Recreation Area, providing access to big game units 39, 43, 44, 48, and 49 in central Idaho. Their hunters reportedly enjoy near 100% shot opportunity each year across these prime hunting areas.
Idaho holds one of the largest elk herds in the United States, and IWO operates in the heart of this prime habitat with horseback access to wilderness areas most hunters never see.
IWO offers both archery and rifle hunting opportunities for multiple species. Their archery season runs from August 30th through September 30th, while controlled archery and rifle hunts extend from mid-August through November. All hunts are fully outfitted with horseback transportation into wilderness camps.
Beyond big game hunting, IWO operates as a full-service outdoor recreation company. They run guided steelhead fishing trips on the Upper Salmon River during spring runs, targeting sea-run steelhead up to 40 inches. These 8-hour excursions cost $795 for one or two anglers and include transportation, guiding, beverages, lunch, flies, leaders, and tippet.
The outfit also offers unique mountain goat photography trips led by Nappy Neaman, a local legend and Discovery Channel contributor who has spent over 40 years studying Rocky Mountain goats. These 6-hour excursions cost $595 per group (up to 4 people) and include lessons on wildflowers, geology, natural history, and wildlife viewing.
The IWO team includes head guide Mark Belanger, head wrangler Rob Orr, and several specialized hunting and fishing guides including Ty Erickson, Carson Bowlin, Dylan Orr, Steve Weidmeier, Darren McFadden, and Hank Minor. Most are Idaho natives with decades of experience in the local mountains and rivers.
All hunt packages include transportation after arrival in Sun Valley, guiding, outfitter camps, meals and beverages in camp, horse transport and packing, field care of trophies, and delivery to taxidermists and butchers. Hunters are responsible for licenses, tags, taxidermy, butchering, shipping fees, and guide gratuities. The outfit recommends booking at least one year in advance due to high demand.
Hunt packages are structured with arrival and departure days plus hunting days - a 7-day package includes 5 actual hunting days. Hunts require a 50% non-refundable deposit and can be secured with signed paperwork. Emergency medical evacuation coverage is recommended for wilderness hunts.
Multi-day hunts can include multi-species options, with mule deer tags available as add-ons to elk hunts in units 43, 48, and 49. Non-resident mule deer tags can also be used for black bear, cougar, or wolf. The outfit provides access to outfitter-allocated tags on a first-come, first-served basis based on booking confirmation dates.
"The mission of Idaho Wilderness Outfitters is to offer the highest quality outdoor recreation experiences for our guests and to do so in a safe, professional and good humored manner."
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