Flying in to the Frank (Unit 26)

Did it for 10 years straight... it was really crowded, not nearly as much now. The end of October is a good time, the bucks will likely still be together, look up high.
 
Did it for 10 years straight... it was really crowded, not nearly as much now. The end of October is a good time, the bucks will likely still be together, look up high.

I figured they would be starting to chase does by then, I guess it will probably depend on how cold it gets. Bachelor groups are always more fun to look at though.
 
Was in there last year, we did pretty decent. We flew In For the early the first part of the season, lots of animals but the bigger bucks were definitely harder to find. When we flew I. We ended up hiking about 7 miles from the strip. Sat phone or something like the Garmin Inreach is the way to go, we did see quite a few bears so I would have that tag with you too.
 
If I can remember I will. Hopefully it will be a positive report and not just an expensive camping trip. Lol.

if you don’t remember to post results, then you won’t be likely to get help next time. Lots of people do that. Don’t be lots of people. 🤪

Your trip will be a success either way. That is why they call it hunting and not killing. A report and some pics are always welcome even if they don’t include animal pictures
 
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I got a lot of good photos of the landscape let's put it that way. Haha. My buddy shot a small 2x3 7 miles from the strip and that was the only buck he saw. I saw several small 1 year old bucks throught the week and finally saw the buck I was hoping to find at 630 yards the last evening but I wasn't able to make it happen before he turned in to a ghost.

We learned we weren't hunting high enough after the first couple days, once we started hunting the ridgetops we started finding more animals. I don't think I will be going back there in October, since I am a resident I can easily hunt it in November and plan to do so in the future. Overall it was a great trip, we learned a lot and hopefully the next time will be more productive.
 

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Sounds like you had a nice hunt even tho your pack didn't get heavy :-)

I'm curious if you ran into many other hunters at the airstrip or in the mountains when you went at the end of October?
 
Buddy and I are planning our first trip to Idaho this spring for bears, and was looking at flying into the Church. Can anyone give me a general idea of what the cost is for the flight in and out?
 
Buddy and I are planning our first trip to Idaho this spring for bears, and was looking at flying into the Church. Can anyone give me a general idea of what the cost is for the flight in and out?
I was quoted $430/ each way about a month and a half ago.

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Assuming two guys and backpacking gear, $450 one way is a good estimate but the Frank is a huge area with lots of airstrips. The cost is highly dependent on where you are flying from (Salmon vs Cascade) and to (Indian versus Chamberlain).


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My flight was priced with Middle Fork out of Challis. Yes, depends on gear load and number of hunters and which airstrips.

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Assuming two guys and backpacking gear, $450 one way is a good estimate but the Frank is a huge area with lots of airstrips. The cost is highly dependent on where you are flying from (Salmon vs Cascade) and to (Indian versus Chamberlain).


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We flew with McCall Air, they do a Hunter's special at 525 round trip and they'll come pick up your animal. It was a pretty good deal i thought.
 
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