The Snake River through Hells Canyon sees a healthy population of Chukar in the fall. These birds are native to Eastern Europe and the Himalayas, and are at home in rocky terrain with scattered grassy hillsides. They have a unique clucking sound, which is easily identifiable and will become the signal to head for the riverbank! When they were introduced to Idaho, Chukar quickly became bird hunters’ game of choice – a challenge to shoot and delicious to eat. The terrain and landscape on our trips is ideal habitat for these birds.

The Chukar hunting season coincides perfectly with excellent trout, bass, and sturgeon fishing opportunities in Hells Canyon. This trip is the ultimate outdoorsman’s experience – slaying fish and shooting birds… What more could you ask for? Cast and blast to your heart’s content.

In order to access the best hunting grounds, some scrambling and trekking over rough terrain is required. This can be a strenuous trip, so we ask that hunters are in good physical condition.

All of our hunting and fishing trips are fully catered expeditions, with more than comfortable camping accommodations and plenty of freshly made, gourmet meals.

This trip is available to book as a four-day, three night excursion.

Hunters should provide their own bird dog if using one, as well as all shotguns and ammunition.

Our multi-day cast and blast trips are deluxe and fully catered. In short, we take care of everything and will guide you through incredible river landscape while you fish and hunt from dawn ‘til dusk. Each morning, you will wake up to a hot breakfast to warm your core and get you ready for the day’s adventures. Our guides get you on the water nice and early each morning, while our gear boatman works hard to break down camp. You’ll hunt and fish all day, take a break for lunch, and then float into camp at dusk. In the evenings, you can relax by the fire and enjoy fresh appetizers followed by a hot, gourmet dinner prepared by our fishing guides-turned riverside chefs – all topped off with dessert, of course.

Salmon Raft provides all camping gear and all meals beginning with lunch on Day One and ending with lunch on the last day.

Since the time of year dictates what you’ll want to bring on our multi-day cast and blast trips, please contact us for a detailed packing list, specific to your trip.

You will need your own shotgun and ammo, as Salmon Raft does not provide this equipment. Hunter safety as at the forefront of our trips, so please come prepared with appropriate hunting attire. If you have questions about this, please give us a call.

We supply everything that you will need for fishing, with the exception of wading equipment. We encourage you to bring what you have, and if you have any questions about whether or not your gear is appropriate for this type of trip, please contact us. Traditional spin fishing, in general, does not require wading on our trips, as the majority of the fishing can take place from the boat.

You will need a valid Idaho fishing license and valid Idaho hunting license. For specific fishing and hunting licensing questions, please contact us.

Trip Launch DateTrip DurationRate (per person)Status
September 24-27, 20244 Days$1850Open
October 1-4, 20244 Days$1850Open

All rates are based on a minimum of four guests. If the launch dates listed above do not fit within your vacation schedule, please contact us. We are usually able to offer flexibility to accommodate.

Rates do not include a $10 per person per day river usage fee or guide gratuity.

Click HERE for printable PDF of the following information.

Our Promise to You

Salmon Raft values each and every guest and we promise to work our hardest to gain and keep your trust for your first and future river adventures. We promise to communicate with efficiency and clarity. Salmon Raft believes that if you have paid for a rafting trip, then you definitely deserve to go on one. When it comes down to it, we will do whatever it takes to keep your business and satisfy you as our guest. If your plans do not fit within these guidelines, please give us a call and we will be more than happy to work with you to figure out an appropriate solution.

Deposits & Balance Due

Trip DurationDeposit AmountBalance Due Date
Single Day20% of trip cost30 days prior to launch date
Two & Three-Day30% of trip cost60 days prior to launch date
Four & Five-Day30% of trip cost60 days prior to launch date

A non-refundable deposit confirms and secures your space on a trip. If reservations are made within the balance due date time frame, full payment is required to secure your space. Deposits are applied towards the final balance.

River usage fees are applied to each trip (3% to the BLM on Salmon River trips; $10/person/day to the USFS on Snake River Hells Canyon trips). Fees go to governing bodies to help pay for river management, facility maintenance, and river cleanup.

Deposits and payments made to Salmon Raft are non-refundable. Please understand that once you commit to a trip date, we lose the ability to sell those reserved spaces to other guests. We strongly encourage the purchase of trip insurance in order to mitigate the potential loss due to cancellations for personal emergencies. In most cases, our first effort will be to reschedule your trip for a future date, or treat your payment as a credit that can be used for future trips. Planning ahead is imperative to the smooth operation of our business; thus, cancelations made within 24 hours of the scheduled trip launch date will not be treated to a credit or rescheduling option.

Cancellation Policy

We float rain or shine! However, if Salmon Raft cancels your reservation due to river flows, extreme weather, BLM or Forest Service mandates, insufficient bookings*, or other conditions beyond our control, all payments made to Salmon Raft will be returned if your trip cannot be rescheduled. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for expenses incurred as a result of such cancellations or date modifications (i.e. travel expenses, lodging reservations, etc.).

Salmon Raft reserves the right to choose or modify all launch sites and take-outs, trip mileage, as well as watercraft choices without notice.

*Minimum group size restrictions are applicable to each trip, and vary by day and trip type.

Respectful Conduct

Guests much treat the guides and fellow trip guests with kindness and respect. Harassment of any nature is not tolerated at Salmon Raft. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in removal from the trip at your expense.

Evacuations

Salmon Raft trips take place in remote locations, where evacuations can be challenging and expensive. It is our guests’ responsibility to carry appropriate insurance coverage, and additional coverages such as LifeFlight, or be prepared to cover the cost of any evacuations yourself. Evacuations and removal from trips can take place for emergency medical reasons or for not adhering to Salmon Raft’s policy for respectful conduct while on the river. Salmon Raft is not responsible for costs associated with these evacuations. Salmon Raft will cover the cost of evacuation if the river or weather poses an emergency threat to the trip.

Group & Charter Rates

We offer group discounts for group sizes of 10 or more guests. Please call in advance to arrange group discounts.

Private charter trips are available. Please call for rates and availability.

Our Licenses & Permits

Salmon Raft is an equal opportunity recreation service provider and operates under Special Recreation Permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS). Salmon Raft is fully licensed and bonded by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board (IOGLB) and Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB).

All above terms, conditions, and policies are subject to change without notice.