While most of the country and much of Idaho call our region “the Panhandle,” we typically think of ourselves as simply North Idaho. As you can tell from our Lakes and Rivers page, we have almost 140 lakes, plus over 2,000 miles of rivers and streams. The largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille, has 111 miles of coastline and over 86,000 acres, and many other lakes – Hayden, Coeur d’Alene, Twin Lakes, Priest Lake, and Lake Cocolalla – are very large. We also have dozens of much smaller lakes – 1-2 acres  –  and everything in between. Many people associate Minnesota as the land of lakes for the U. S., but our Idaho Panhandle has the greatest concentration of lakes in all the western states, giving us the water sports and fishing haven we all enjoy.

While the state of Idaho has more wilderness acreage than any other state, the Idaho Panhandle has more game, and better hunting than any other region of Idaho. With so many acres in the wild, no other state in the lower 48 has as much big game hunting variety and quality as Idaho. Idaho is sparsely populated with huge areas of forests, canyons, and mountain wildernesses. Idaho seasons generally run from 20-65 days. Hunter congestion remains rare. An amazing amount of land remains in the hands of the federal and state governments: 21,621,000 acres of the state’s total acreage remains forested. The Federal Government holds 65.2% of all land, with estimates of 78 percent of all of Idaho belonging either to state or federal forests, etc.

Idaho’s elk herds are renowned. An Idaho elk hunt offers the opportunity to experience real nature and wilderness, spend time with family or friends, and harvest a nice animal. Idaho's percentage of older bulls presents a unique trophy hunting opportunity in the West.

Idaho’s whitetail deer populations in Idaho have also have grown. Their distribution, concentrated in forested areas of northern Idaho, has grown substantially in recent years. Idaho's mule deer populations are rebounding from years of drought and the severe winters of 1992 and 1996. Mountain lion populations are extremely strong. Record sized cougars have been taken recently. Moose hunting is on the rise. Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and antelope hunts are in high demand. Idaho continues to offer outstanding black bear hunting in fall and spring.

Idaho’s non-wilderness areas are reached by hinterland roads, at times accessible only with 4x4s, and wilderness areas are accessed by horseback or on foot. Idaho outfitters offer archery, rifle and muzzleloader hunts. Customized services range from drop camps to fully guided trips. Accommodations are provided in comfortable camps or lodges.

So, it is small wonder that Idaho’s big game reputation is stellar, with a large population of elk, moose, woodland caribou, mule and white-tailed deer, cougar, black and grizzly bear, and bighorn sheep. While our elk, moose and deer hunting reputation is world-class, opportunities abound to hunt waterfowl and upland birds. Because of the large ownership of land by the state, hunting in and around Sandpoint and North Idaho is typically on state or national forest lands. Because big game hunting here focuses typically on remote mountains (some 2.7 million acres in North Idaho are within national forests), backcountry camping is often the key to hunting success.

But big game is not all North Idaho offers hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Bird hunting in North Idaho finds ruffed grouse (referred to locally as "forest" grouse), blue grouse and wild turkeys. Ruffed grouse are commonly found in dense coniferous stands of fir and pine, but hunting success rate is highest in abandoned field acreage containing stands of quaking aspen. Blue grouse are typically hunted at higher elevations, and hunting pressure on this species throughout the season is light due in great part to strenuous mountain terrain. Idaho’s Fish and Game Department has been successful in establishing harvestable flocks of Merriam-strained wild turkeys throughout much of the state.

An advantage to our area for bird hunters and watchers is that the Pacific Flyway runs directly through North Idaho, so waterfowl hunting is outstanding. Since our numerous bodies of water make great landing sites, duck populations are plentiful, and include both puddle ducks and divers, and quality goose hunting is available everywhere, particularly 30 miles north of Sandpoint on the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge which is a major stopover for migrating ducks and geese.

The diversity of habitat in North Idaho supports a wide variety of fish. Yellow perch, crappie, pumpkinseed, bullheads, and largemouth bass abound. Northern pike and mountain whitefish can also be found. Rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and brook trout reside in some of the same waters -- and in less accessible mountain lakes and streams. Priest Lake, with its seventy miles of shoreline bordered in ferns, evergreens spruce, hemlock, and with 7,000-foot peaks, is famous for its huge mackinaw, trophy cutthroat and rainbow trout. Kokanee salmon are abundant in this region, providing not only fishing pleasure but also nourishment for the larger trophy species. Gerrard rainbow (kamloops), bull trout (inland Dolly Varden), and chinook salmon have been known to tip the scales at 30 pounds. Although The Panhandle comprises only ten percent of Idaho, one third of the state's record fish are caught here.

So, we know we have great fishing because of our great diversity with lakes, streams, and rivers. And most of the world thinks of our area as great timber country. Those two elements provide the perfect habitat for game and wildlife.

Links & Resources

A Complete List of NW Outfitters
Idaho Fish and Game seasons, rules, licenses, and tags
Idaho Fish and Hunt
Idaho Hunting Guide
Idaho BLM Recreation
Idaho Panhandle National Forests Brochures
Helpful Idaho Maps
Idaho Hunting Today Online mag
The Idaho Sportsman
Idaho Bird Hunting from Idaho PTV
US Forest Service
Wild Idaho News
North Idaho Recreation.com

  
Grizzly Bear killed in north central Idaho came from the Selkirk Mountains October 2nd, 2007 — Ralph Maughan 
 

The grizzly bear that was killed by a bear hunter in a vast backcountry area near Kelly Creek migrated there from the beleaguered bear population in the Selkirk Mountains of extreme northern Idaho. That’s the part of Idaho called “The Panhandle”.
  

DNA tests showed that the big healthy bear came from the Selkirks. Grizzlies there, and in central Idaho (where none were thought to be) are still on the threatened species list, and were not affected by the recent delisting of the grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Many, including myself, hope this bear was not the only grizzly in vast central and north central Idaho mountains.

Mack P. Bray Says:

“The distance from the southernmost area of the Selkirks, such as the town of Priest River, to the spot where this bear was killed is 141 air miles. Obviously, this bear didn’t move in a straight line.” (From some blog I found.)
  

“It is the first grizzly bear verified since 1946 on the Idaho side of the 5,700-square-mile Selway-Bitteroot ecosystem in central Idaho and western Montana.” According to modern math, that’s 61 years.

The hunter was on a guided trip hunting black bear over bait, which is legal in Idaho. The guide wasn’t present when the grizzly was shot.” “Officials say the shooting remains under investigation.” “The Friends of the Clearwater, a conservation group based in Moscow, Idaho, said the grizzly bear death was no surprise. In a letter to Servheen, the group said there have been reports of grizzly bears in the Bitterroot Mountains dating back into the late 1990s.” “The group also wants the Fish and Wildlife Service to review Idaho’s black bear hunting regulations that allow for baiting and hounding of bears, spring and fall hunting, and a liberal “take” in the Clearwater Basin.” (All that from missoulian.com)

Bear baiting… now there’s a FAIR CHASE ethic for ‘ya.

The killing is still under investigation, but I surmise that some yahoo from Tennessee, on a guided (sucker) black bear hunt over BAIT, without his guide being present, shot a grizzly that was attracted to the BAIT set out for black bears.

What the hell is wrong with the system? There’s been MANY instances of hunters killing grizzlies for no good reason, including mis-identification. 

Most grizzly charges (some 95% +/-) are BLUFF charges - use pepper spray - and if you’ve got meat on the ground, better ‘git it out fast. You’ve got a black bear permit and you’re hunting over BAIT? You should have plenty of time to positively identify your target. Not sure if that bear’s a black or a grizz? Don’t pull the trigger.

Trigger-happy yahoos from out of state on guided (sucker) black bear hunts over bait. Gotta love ‘em.

From Ralph Maughan’s Wildlife News

Idaho Wildlife Refuges

Types of Big Game and Small Game Animals in Idaho

There are many types of big game and small game animals to hunt in Idaho. Not all of the hunting guides and outfitters will be able to hunt each animal listed. Their website should describe what animals they hunt and any additional information you may need.

North Idaho Licensed Outfitters

• B bar C Outfitters - http://www.bbarcoutfitters.com Outfitter for Elk, Mountain Lion and Bear fully guided pack-in and lodge hunts in north central Idaho, on the Clearwater National Forest.

• Bighorn Outfitters - http://www.huntidaho.com Elk, deer, and bear hunting and fishing resort located in Carmen, Idaho.

• Birch Creek Outfitters - http://birchcreekoutfitters.com/ Offers big game hunts in the Nez Perce national forest of Idaho.

• Boulder Creek Outfitters - http://www.bouldercreekoutfitters.com Elk, deer, bear, and lion big game hunts. Also offers horseback and rafting trips. Located in Peck, Idaho

• Bungalow Outfitters, LLC - http://www.bungalowoutfittersllc.com/ Guided cougar, bear, and elk hunting. Includes hunt descriptions and photo gallery. Located in the Clearwater National Forest.

• Clearwater Outfitters - http://clearwateroutfitters.net Offering elk hunting and summer fly fishing adventures. Includes details, photos and directions. Located in Orofino.

• Duncan Outfitters - http://www.duncanoutfitters.com Offers rifle, handgun, black powder and bow hunts for bear, deer, elk and mountain lion in Clearwater National Forest, and on private lands. Includes contact information. Located in Orofino.

• Elk Country Trophy Bulls - http://www.elkcountry.com/ Elk hunting in Idaho. Feastures location and prices.

• Flying V Outfitters - http://www.flyingvoutfitters.com Specializes in guided hunting trips for mountain lion and black bear in the McCall and New Meadows areas. Includes details, dates, rates and contact information. Located in New Meadows.

• Hamilton Outfitters - http://www.hamiltonoutfitter.net Offering guided hunting trips in the Caribou Targhee National Forest for elk, moose, mountain lion, bear and mule deer. Includes pricing, terms and conditions, application and photos. Located in Rupert. 

• Heaven Gate Outfitters - http://www.heavensgateoutfitters.com/ Elk, deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and black bear hunting. Guided and drop camps. Features hunts, rates, and photographs

• Idaho Bison Company - http://www.idahobisoncompany.homestead.com/BuffaloHunts.html Offering hunts for bison and elk and a variety of meat products. Includes order form and contact information. Located in Juliaetta.

• Idaho Sportsman's Club - http://www.idahohuntingclub.com/ Upland game and waterfowl hunting. Includes hunts available, member area, and newsletter.

• Idaho Whitetail Adventures - http://www.idahowhitetailadventure.com/ Offering hunts for whitetail deer and ranch elk. Includes details of packages, photos, pricing, booking requirements and license information. Located in Orofino.

• Ken Smith's Hunting Idaho - http://www.huntingidaho.com/ Idaho outfitter referral service for fishing as well as elk, deer, bear, and mountain lion hunting.

• LocKey U Outfitters - http://www.lockeyu.com/ Providing guided big game hunting on the Gilmore Ranch, based in Whitebird, Idaho.

• Middle Fork Hunting Outfitters - http://www.middleforkoutfitters.com/ Guided hunts for elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, cougar, mountain goat and black bear in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho.

• Quarter Circle "A" Outfitters - http://www.salmoninternet.com/hussey Hunt in the Selway Wilderness Area (Unit 17), home of the largest Elk herd in the U.S.A. out side of Yellowstone National Park.

• Russell Pond Outfitters - http://www.russellpond.com/ Big game hunts for elk, color phase bear, lion and deer. Based in Avery, Idaho.

• Wilderness Outfitters - http://www.idahowilderness.com/ Offers elk, deer, bear, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat hunts on the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho