What's quick as a cat, fast as a horse, powerful as a bull, quiet as an owl and unpredictable as Idaho weather? It's the American black bear who asks, "Who is predator and who is prey?" Come join us on an Idaho black bear hunt and answer the question for yourself.

SSO books spring black bear hunts for the famous Flying B Ranch in North Central Idaho.  The outfitter holds exclusive outfitting rights to over 740,000 acres of the Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests under special use permits from the U.S. Forest Service.  Idaho has one of the largest black bear populations in the lower 48 states.  And this outfitter's huge hunting concession is located in the heart of some of the best black bear habitat in Idaho, with 2-1/2 bears per square mile. 

This outfitter's bear hunting territory is extensive, presenting the backcountry hunters with multiple hunting locations throughout the season.  The backcountry hunts offer either spot-and-stalk hunting or hunting over bait.  If you choose a lodge hunt from the luxury of the Lodge, hunting will be over bait.  The outfitter's black bear hunting has been very successful for years, with over a 95% harvest rate.  The bear population is very high and trophy quality excellent.  Various color phases are common in the area including blond, cinnamon, red chocolate to traditional black.  Approximately 25% of the bears taken exceed the Pope & Young minimum.

Dave Cole, owner of Bowfit, with a 19-5/8", 375 lb. cinnamon bear taken in 2002

License Availability and Price 
Hunting license cost and limits vary according to the various hunts and time periods. 

Bear Hunt Type 2003 Hunt Period Hunting Method Allowable Number of Bear Tags Bear Tag Price (each) Hunting License Cost
Weitas Creek Backcountry 
Horseback Hunts May 11 - June 26 Bait and spot and stalk 1 $235.50 $128.50
Lodge Hunts April 27 - June 26  Bait 2 $31.50 $128.50

Although SSO caters to bowhunters, legal weapons for Idaho spring bear hunting extends from archery, pistol, black powder rifle, to your favorite center-fire rifle. 

Hunt Packages

Backcountry Horseback Hunt Packages 
Adult  $2,200, Ages 11-17 $1,100

These hunts are in a remote, backcountry area of the Clearwater National Forest.  The horse pack trip into base camp is approximately 12 miles along the scenic North Fork of the Clearwater River.  Camp is located on Weitas Creek, a major tributary to the Clearwater River.   The outfitter has exclusive outfitting rights in an area approximately 25 miles long by 20 miles wide.  The elevation ranges from about 2,000 feet above sea level at camp to 5,000 feet on the highest nearby peaks.

These hunts are combined bait/spot and stalk hunts and the area is well suited for bowhunting.  The majority of the hunting will be over bait but spot and stalk hunting and calling will also be used.  Hunters will walk or ride horses to the baits and spot and stalk areas.  The bear population is high and the trophy quality excellent because no commercial bear hunting has occurred in the area at least in the last 4 years.  The bears have rarely been baited or hunted before so there should be some big bears taken this year. 

Hunters will stay at a comfortable tent camp.  The outfitter does everything possible to provide their guests with as comfortable a camp as U.S. Forest Service regulations will allow.  Their tents and camp gear are top quality and the best available.  Tents have floors, each tent has running water, and there is a hot-water shower tent.  Inside the clean camp kitchen, your full-time cook will have you piping hot meals ready when you are!  We've done everything possible to provide comfortable 'in-camp' time throughout your hunt.

The hunter to guide ratio on these hunts is 3:1 with three to six hunters in camp at a time.  A satellite phone will be in camp in case of an emergency.

Since this hunting area is out of the bear study area, the limit for these hunts is one bear and the bear tag price is the regular price of $235.50.

2003 Available Backcountry Horseback  Hunt Dates 

May 11 - 15  May 18 - 22  May 25 - 29  June 1 - 5

June 8 - 12  June 15 - 19  June 22 - 26  June 1 - 5

Lodge Hunt Package 
Adult  $3,500, Ages 11-17 $1,750

Nestled in the enchanting Lawyer Canyon, the ranch sits on 4,200 acres of rich historic and isolated wildlife habitat. The luxury of the Lodge is only rivaled by the natural beauty found in this pristine area. The 14,000 square foot Lodge features 14 spacious guest rooms, each with private baths, TVs, VCRs, and telephones. Enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres around the pool table, while relaxing in the Jacuzzi, or as you are watching a game on the big screen TV.  Guests at the ranch will enjoy a cuisine celebrating wild game.  We make every effort to exceed the expectations of our guests and we look forward to accommodating and exciting your culinary taste buds during your stay with us!

Most of these Lodge Hunts are over bait.  The outfitter packs the bear bait out of the river bottoms and onto the main ridges with pack mules.  The guides bait in the mornings, so hunters have all morning to relax at the beautiful lodge.  After lunch, hunters will be driven to their respective hunting area where their bear guide will meet them.  Then they will ride to the baits on saddle mules and hunt the bait areas until dark before returning to the lodge for a late supper.

The hunter to guide ratio on these hunts is 1:1 with three to six hunters at the Lodge at one time.  The limit for these hunts is two bears and the bear tag prices are reduced to $31.50 each.

Combined spring bear/turkey hunts are also available from the lodge.  Please call for availability and pricing.

2003 Available Lodge Hunt Dates 
 

April 27 - May 1 May 4 - 8 May 11 - 15 May 18 - 22 May 25 - 29

June 1 - 5 June 8 - 12 June 15 - 19 June 22 - 26

Conditions

• Archers in Idaho may not use bows with greater than 65% letoff.
• A deposit of 50% per hunter is required to confirm reservations within two weeks of the booking date.  The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival.  Should you find it necessary to cancel or change your reservations more than 60 days before your hunt, the Flying B will gladly apply your deposit to another trip of your choice.  Otherwise guests will be charged, in full, for the number of guests and number of days booked.  Please have standbys ready.
• Personal checks, money orders, and cashiers checks accepted. 
• Hunt dates, prices and fees subject to change without notice. 
• Hunt prices do not include hunting license and tag fees 
• Sales tax not included in hunt prices.  Idaho has a 5% sales tax on hunts. 
• All hunts are fully guided and include transportation while hunting. 
• Game processing or storage costs are not included. 
• References available upon request. 

Matt Burrows
6338 W. Elmhurst Dr.
Littleton, CO 80128
(303) 972-4295
stickandstringoutfitters@att.net
www.bowhuntingoutfitters.com
A Bowhunting-Only Outfitter