Central Idaho Spring Bear/Wolf DIY with pack Llamas

[Gooden123]

Looking for a partner for a central Idaho DIY spring bear hunt with pack llamas. Thinking early/mid May in hopes snow is still up high and not so much snow melt that crossing streams if needed isn't manageable. That's a thought process, not a guarantee. Doesn't necessarily have to be central Idaho and I'm flexible about everything else too. Just want to try renting llamas on an OTC tag and see how it goes before attempting it on an elk hunt. Looking to rent them from Wilderness Ridge in Idaho Falls for convenience.

I expect F4WM will still have a $1,500 - $2,000 wolf reimbursement program for 2026 season since they've had this in place for years and years.

Here's what I have for a rough idea based on a 6 day rental. Again I'm flexible. Can be shortened, extended, things rented from elsewhere, etc.

*NR Annual license $185
*OTC Bear Tag $231.75
*NR Wolf Tag $31.75
*Access/Depredation Fee $10
*F4WL Membership $40 (for wolf reimbursement program)
*Two Llamas with food, panniers, crash course etc and stock trailer $1,700 ($100 per llama (min of two), $75/day for trailer = $275 x 6)
*UHaul pickup truck <$1000 ($20/day + $1.09/mile

Comes to $1,868.50 for two plus the obvious food, fuel, probably a cheap Airbnb on the back end to finish processing and get cleaned up.

I have really good backcountry gear and already talked to Brad @ Argali about ordering a teepee with a woodstove. Just trying to decide between a dyneema Absoroka or dyneema Rincon. I'll definitely have one of the two before the new year. Probably the Absoroka as it's only about a 6 oz difference (including an extra foot of pipe), I'm tall and would like to stand up/have room to hang gear, wood pile, etc. Just concerned about the footprint and ability to pitch it in certain areas. Plus I mostly hunt solo.

That's more long winded than I wanted it to be but should answer most basic questions.

 

[bpeay4]

Too early for me to commit to this but I'd definitely be interested once it gets closer if your still looking for someone or a third person or something. I'm in Idaho and usually backpack hunt in the spring but have always been interested in llamas. I haven't bear hunted central Idaho but that's where I'd go with llamas.

early to mid May is a solid timeframe just have to be flexible. If there is lots of snow then be prepared to launch from the bottom.

 

[Gooden123]

Too early for me to commit to this but I'd definitely be interested once it gets closer if your still looking for someone or a third person or something. I'm in Idaho and usually backpack hunt in the spring but have always been interested in llamas. I haven't bear hunted central Idaho but that's where I'd go with llamas.

early to mid May is a solid timeframe just have to be flexible. If there is lots of snow then be prepared to launch from the bottom.

10 4! I'm on here reading everything I can from previous posts. I was also looking at past snotel, weather and other data I could find. Definitely just going to have to nail down a date and go while hoping for the best.

That said, I have full intentions of doing an Idaho spring bear hunt. Llamas or not. I'd appreciate keeping in touch and maybe we can do a hunt if the llamas don't pan out for some reason. Either way I want to at least get out there and stop by the ranch to get a crash course, then hunt.