Colorado elk pack animals

[Bcoonce117]

Looking to use some sort of pack animals in Colorado. Using animals will allow my dad to come without having to carry too much gear. Not looking for any honey holes. But I want the pack animal mother load lol. I have founder packers that charge 3000+ a person and that’s not what I’m looking for. Is there a cheaper option? In an ideal world we would get dropped into the area we decide and picked back up.

My brother lives in Colorado, myself, and my dad would be flying to meet and hunt with him.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Here’s the deal, a lot of outfitters don’t do the “spike camp” option much anymore. That’s where they pack you and your gear to your spot and drop you there then come back and pick you up… some still do it but they price it high so it’s almost cheaper for you to just pay for a drop camp. Here’s why, many guys don’t understand packing and it’s not as simple as throw stuff on an animal and walk it up the mountain. Guys show up with full wall tent frames, the kitchen sink, generator and satellite dish. Then get mad when the outfitter throws stuff out.

My rules for spike camps are has to be the hunters location, they have set pack in and pack out dates, if they harvest I will come get it as soon as I can and it’s an extra fee, won’t pack you within 1.5 miles of a booked camp of mine, if we get to the spot and there’s not water that’s on you not gonna ride around for 3 more hours while you try to find the perfect spot you wanted.

If they’re wanting to charge you $3000/ hunter then you’re location is probably unrealistic, you have way to much gear and they’re charging accordingly, or they priced it that high to deter you to a drop camp. It’s easier for us to maintain our drop camps vs set you up with a whole different thing. Plus you’re getting a better deal on a drop camp when you don’t have to use your personal camp gear, usually have a resupply day, Packout of game is included, it’s also easier on us cause we know what gear is in camp, less animals to get ur gear in, we will Come in once for resupply, and we just generally know where you are and what ur doing.

$3000 a man for pack services does seem like a lot to me but you’re also pushing the envelope for booking it’s late for a ton of outfitters, it’s a pain to pack gear you’re not familiar with or you spend hours on the phone with guys trying to get it figured out, the spot you want to go to may be almost out of the question, or the outfitter you spoke to simply just wants to charge that much cause it’s his business.

In the state of CO you as the hunter are required to hire a legal outfitter, if you hire Tom from the feed store to do it cause he is a couple horses but no permit the violation for illegal outfitting hits you as the hunter harder than it hits him.


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[Bcoonce117]

Ok that’s probably why too. I couldn’t find a “spike camp” option. I don’t need any of the gear that comes with. Drop camp being that I have my own. This was all good info though and I appreciate it

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Ok that’s probably why too. I couldn’t find a “spike camp” option. I don’t need any of the gear that comes with. Drop camp being that I have my own. This was all good info though and I appreciate it

Some guys call it spike camp, others call it gear packing service, if you know where you wanna go exactly call that outfitter and ask. Some don’t advertise the service at all but will do it. Typically you don’t even see drop camps for $3000/hunter though. That’s really high


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[COJoe]

We met a gentleman with a pack horse last year at the trailhead as we returned to our vehicle. He was training a new horse but he has others too. He is in the process of getting his required license to be able to do pack outs and such. We entertained the idea of using him as he seemed reasonable price wise for an elk pack out, which would be 6-8 miles back from where we just came from. I can PM you with his name if you would like? He lives east of Colorado Springs if that would help you.

 

[Indian Summer]

We met a gentleman with a pack horse last year at the trailhead as we returned to our vehicle. He was training a new horse but he has others too. He is in the process of getting his required license to be able to do pack outs and such. We entertained the idea of using him as he seemed reasonable price wise for an elk pack out, which would be 6-8 miles back from where we just came from. I can PM you with his name if you would like? He lives east of Colorado Springs if that would help you.

There is no such thing as a “license to pack”. Licensed outfitters have USFS user permits that are necessary to conduct ANY type of commercial business on National Forest.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

We met a gentleman with a pack horse last year at the trailhead as we returned to our vehicle. He was training a new horse but he has others too. He is in the process of getting his required license to be able to do pack outs and such. We entertained the idea of using him as he seemed reasonable price wise for an elk pack out, which would be 6-8 miles back from where we just came from. I can PM you with his name if you would like? He lives east of Colorado Springs if that would help you.

Like Indian summer said you don’t just get a license. You have to have permits whether blm or USFS. Most likely this guy is going to go get a business license that says outfitter, then advertise he’s a packer and go illegally outfit. If someone tells you they can pack out anywhere, it’s illegal. If they don’t require a contract illegal. Cash only “probably” illegal. And if someone is illegallly packing on an outfitters permit they will be turned into the USFS, that can be state and federal charges. And the hunter will
Be charged hard to, it is in the CPW regulation Book that nobody reads that says it is the hunters responsibility to make sure their outfitter is legally licensed, bonded, permitted and insured.


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[Bcoonce117]

Slight detour here but I will say cash only doesn’t mean it’s illegal. Could mean they want to keep the governments nose out of their business. I respect those people.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Slight detour here but I will say cash only doesn’t mean it’s illegal. Could mean they want to keep the governments nose out of their business. I respect those people.

If ur an outfitter the government is in your business, it is required to report all of your cash income for the year, deposits, payments, etc. so they can say cash only sure but the govt USFS and BLM are going to be in your business, it’s not that simple but I can change it to say probably illegal if you like.


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[cnelk]

Yep.
34 years ago I thought I was doing a good deed by helping hunters pack out their elk with my horses.

In one weekend I made enough money to pay for hay for the entire winter.

But then the FS came along and gave me a written warning and if I was seen/caught doing it again I would be in front of a judge in Grand Junction

That ended that!
Lessons learned

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Yep.
34 years ago I thought I was doing a good deed by helping hunters pack out their elk with my horses.

In one weekend I made enough money to pay for hay for the entire winter.

But then the FS came along and gave me a written warning and if I was seen/caught doing it again I would be in front of a judge in Grand Junction

That ended that!
Lessons learned

To a point, I hate having the govt so involved and all that, but also it’s been proven countless times that without govt assistance people will do what they want when they want. There needs to be some regulation of stuff like that.


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[COJoe]

There is no such thing as a “license to pack”. Licensed outfitters have USFS user permits that are necessary to conduct ANY type of commercial business on National Forest.

Thanks for the insight and I apologize that I couldn't remember whether he said license or permit. In trying to remember from talking with him, I believe he was explaining all the permits that you mentioned. But after reading the comments, I think we'll just stick to hauling our elk out on our back.....

bigantlergetter, I'll take some time then to read the regs about packing out. I haven't read that area before because I simply never thought about it hiring anyone to do it.

 

[MountainMan83]

Renting llamas is approximately $200 a day for 2 llamas plus a little extra if you need to rent a trailer. About $100 dollars or less for each additional llama. You would need to take a couple hour course if you are new to them, but totally manageable for most people even without previous livestock experience. They can carry about 80lbs each. Depending how much gear you need hauled in, could be an option.