Drop Camp Recommendations

[Doc Holliday]

I have seen alot of folks hate on drop camps on various forums (ie: "Guides keep their good areas to themselves"), but the fact is if you google drop camp and any state, there are tons of them in operation. Maybe they are not the "best" areas, but if there are elk around, it is better than sitting back east on the couch looking at the internet. And if they are so bad, then why are so many apparently in business? Also, in the age of people coming to the internet to whine about a bad experience, I would think there would be tons of blistering reviews on drop camps galore if they were so fruitless and a waste of money, but I really don't see anyone talking about drop camps on the forums. Is that because people are too proud to admit that they don't DIY?

For an easterner without limitless vacation, scouting (separate trips in the summer) is not feasible, and the logistics of bringing all the gear would mandate driving, which again is not ideal due to minimal time allowed off from work. Also, I could afford a guide, but my friends cannot, and I would rather go with friends and come back with some experience than go by myself and come back with a 6x6 and try to tell how awesome it was.

So for someone in my situation, it seems a drop camp is a practical compromise between guided and DIY.

If anyone has any drop camp recommendations, feel free to PM me. I am open to state.

Thanks

 

[Jpugs]

PM sent

 

[idahohikker]

I provided some recommendations on the last one of these I believe. If it was via PM, feel free to reach out for Idaho.

There are not extensive and helpful reviews of guided hunts or drop camps. Many times the person who does the drop camp doesn't know he was in a low odds of success area because they're new to the area. It's the guys who've been hunting it DIY for years that laugh at where the outfitter threw out their dri camps. The incentives for drop camps are just bad if the outfitter also has guided clients.

That said, with some vetting I have no doubt you could find a good experience. You will need to ask tough questions--how many hunters in that drop camp, success rates, how does this area compare to your guided areas, what kind of public hunting exists in that immediate area, and independently research whether you're really in elk country. The drop camps in remote and rugged units make more sense because you can receive a real value getting packed back in there. A lot of drop camps you could have hiked 3.5 miles down the trail yourself.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Drop camps are great, just perform your due diligence. We use an out fit in Colorado, every other year, love it.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I provided some recommendations on the last one of these I believe. If it was via PM, feel free to reach out for Idaho.

There are not extensive and helpful reviews of guided hunts or drop camps. Many times the person who does the drop camp doesn't know he was in a low odds of success area because they're new to the area. It's the guys who've been hunting it DIY for years that laugh at where the outfitter threw out their dri camps. The incentives for drop camps are just bad if the outfitter also has guided clients.

That said, with some vetting I have no doubt you could find a good experience. You will need to ask tough questions--how many hunters in that drop camp, success rates, how does this area compare to your guided areas, what kind of public hunting exists in that immediate area, and independently research whether you're really in elk country. The drop camps in remote and rugged units make more sense because you can receive a real value getting packed back in there. A lot of drop camps you could have hiked 3.5 miles down the trail yourself.

This is a much better response than mine.

 

[md126]

Nearly all drop camps are on public land so the only real advantage is if the outfitter can pack you in a long way to a less crowded area.

I would try to find a drop camp on private land and only use an outfitter that just does drop camps.