Drop camp vs guided

[kzeke]

First time on here for me, so sorry if i am beating a dead horse with this topic. I went elk hunting in idaho a few years back with absolutely 0 success. It was a last second hunt in a rough unit for elk but it was beautiful country. That being said, I am looking to head out west again hopefully in 2026 and was looking at a drop camp but may be able to swing a guided hunt. i have a few points in wyoming but thats it. I want to have a decent chance at an elk (doesnt have to be a giant by any means) and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for an outfitter that does drop camps? Probably in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado but open to any suggestions. I am an avid deer hunter but new to elk, so ive considered a fully guided to try and learn as much as i can from a guide but just not sure i want to spend the money, I also like the idea of figuring it out as much as i can myself but realize that its a pretty tall order considering i will only be able to go for maybe 1 week a year and dont have time to make separate trips to scout. I know this is very broad but all suggestions, guides, or tips are all welcome!

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

We’ve had several successful out of state hunts on public land that we’ve never set foot on for deer, elk and antelope. OnX has helped a 1000%. Phone calls to biologists also has played a large part. We’ve even called them while in the field. Also hunting forums have assisted but only via pm’s. But you need to be talking specific areas. I’ve been impressed by those willing to help. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Rifle or bow? Big difference in many aspects. One week per year is tough. Especially if travel time is included in that week. Guided hunts are terribly expensive. Drop camps aren’t cheap either. Perform your due diligence regarding either method. Do the long haul math.

If you have camping gear and solid woodsmanship a guy can most certainly do it yourself by good research and it’s very rewarding. Camping in grizzly country can be intimidating. Plan for anything and everything going wrong. If nothing does the trip is a success.

You’ll spend thousands of dollars with a guide going once per year. You may or may not glean elk hunting knowledge. But in most cases they will get you on elk but maybe in country you physically couldn’t access on foot by yourself. I would rather spend way less money, do the research for a productive area and give yourself a five year plan on learning how the elk live there and how to hunt them. Going with a guide doesn’t make you a better hunter necessarily. Learning elk behavior and hunting them isn’t rocket science as many would have you believe.

Make a plan. 2026 will be here soon enough.

 

[SloppyJ]

I think you should find a spot you want to invest in and hunt. Go with a guide the first year to learn the area and ask a ton of questions. Tell them you're trying to learn. Most are willing to help if you're truly interested and invested.

I'm headed out on my first elk hunt this year with a guide. I hunt heavily in the south but western hunting and elk are all new to me. I'm going with a friend's family who has guided one spot in CO for 20+yrs and was upfront that I want to learn as much as possible. They know I won't be back at their spot because I'm not bringing mules and riding back in there but that doesn't mean I can't hunt the area in the future. Best part is it's an OTC unit where I can still build points while learning more about elk hunting.

 

[Next Ridge]

Get a guide, any good one will help jump start your learning curve, especially if only available 1 week a year.

Welcome to the WYOGA website!

WYOGA, Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, has been guiding America since 1959. Our members will be happy to assist you in whatever outdoor endeavors you are interested in. Let us be your guide!

wyoga.org

Colorado Outfitters Association

 

[kzeke]

We’ve had several successful out of state hunts on public land that we’ve never set foot on for deer, elk and antelope. OnX has helped a 1000%. Phone calls to biologists also has played a large part. We’ve even called them while in the field. Also hunting forums have assisted but only via pm’s. But you need to be talking specific areas. I’ve been impressed by those willing to help. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Rifle or bow? Big difference in many aspects. One week per year is tough. Especially if travel time is included in that week. Guided hunts are terribly expensive. Drop camps aren’t cheap either. Perform your due diligence regarding either method. Do the long haul math.

If you have camping gear and solid woodsmanship a guy can most certainly do it yourself by good research and it’s very rewarding. Camping in grizzly country can be intimidating. Plan for anything and everything going wrong. If nothing does the trip is a success.

You’ll spend thousands of dollars with a guide going once per year. You may or may not glean elk hunting knowledge. But in most cases they will get you on elk but maybe in country you physically couldn’t access on foot by yourself. I would rather spend way less money, do the research for a productive area and give yourself a five year plan on learning how the elk live there and how to hunt them. Going with a guide doesn’t make you a better hunter necessarily. Learning elk behavior and hunting them isn’t rocket science as many would have you believe.

Make a plan. 2026 will be here soon enough.

thank you! I have quite a bit of time out on long camping trips with no one else around just not actually hunting elk. It would be with archery since later in the fall i get too busy with work. I mainly would want to use a guide to help me get a better start on hunting elk (understanding thermals, morning vs evening tactics, if i would get an elk the following steps, etc) i've done a ton of reading, research, and watching youtube videos but i just know that sometimes its the tip of the iceberg and understanding whats relevant and whats not when it comes to picking through all of this information

 

[kzeke]

Get a guide, any good one will help jump start your learning curve, especially if only available 1 week a year.

Welcome to the WYOGA website!

WYOGA, Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, has been guiding America since 1959. Our members will be happy to assist you in whatever outdoor endeavors you are interested in. Let us be your guide!

wyoga.org

Colorado Outfitters Association

Is there any in particular you would suggest?

 

[Next Ridge]

Ha, no. I personally dont use them. Family member had a good experience with Circle K in CO. Not sure your budget but have friends enjoy Black Mountain in New Mexico also.

 

[chizelhead]

Guide for sure if you can swing it especially if you're alone and don't have much mountain experience. A guide can get you ahead of the learning curve quickly, but not every guide is going to do that. Certainly vet your guide to find one that will help you accomplish what you want. If you find a guide(s) you like, I recommend talking with references that were looking for the same experience and how the guide delivered. The other benefits are having someone take care of camp/cooking, it's a big variable and you'll likely be tired during the hunt. Having that off your mind/task list helps a lot to focus on the hunt. You can also learn how they set up camp and what's important and maybe not. Also learning how to field dress, pack, and take care of the meat, Elk are way bigger than deer. Taking care of one the first time can be overwhelming for some especially if you're alone.

I recommend going to an sportsman show if you can make it happen that has guides. It will give you a good opportunity to start talking with them. After that, the internet and your cellphone are your friends.

 

[kzeke]

Ha, no. I personally dont use them. Family member had a good experience with Circle K in CO. Not sure your budget but have friends enjoy Black Mountain in New Mexico also.

That’s understandable, I would much rather do it DIY but realize the lack of experience


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[kzeke]

Guide for sure if you can swing it especially if you're alone and don't have much mountain experience. A guide can get you ahead of the learning curve quickly, but not every guide is going to do that. Certainly vet your guide to find one that will help you accomplish what you want. If you find a guide(s) you like, I recommend talking with references that were looking for the same experience and how the guide delivered. The other benefits are having someone take care of camp/cooking, it's a big variable and you'll likely be tired. Having that off your mind/task list helps a lot to focus on the hunting. You can also learn how they set up camp and what's important and maybe not. Also learning how to field dress, pack, and take care of the meat, Elk are way bigger than deer. Taking care of one the first time can be overwhelming for some especially if you're alone.

I recommend going to an sportsman show if you can make it happen that has guides. It will give you a good opportunity to start talking with them. After that, the internet and your cellphone are your friends.

Is there any guides that you would recommend or areas to start my search in? I’ve also heard that guides can put their drop camps in less productive areas. Is that a real thing or was I just given a line?


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[kzeke]

Ha, no. I personally dont use them. Family member had a good experience with Circle K in CO. Not sure your budget but have friends enjoy Black Mountain in New Mexico also.

I appreciate the help!


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[chizelhead]

Unfortunately, I don't have good recommendations, because I typically don't use them. I mostly DIY, but have used them with my father off and on long ago. We had done a couple guided and drop camps, but the vast majority of my hunts were/are DIY.

 

[406RoadToad]

I mainly would want to use a guide to help me get a better start on hunting elk (understanding thermals, morning vs evening tactics, if i would get an elk the following steps, etc) i've done a ton of reading, research, and watching youtube videos but i just know that sometimes its the tip of the iceberg and understanding whats relevant and whats not when it comes to picking through all of this information

Please go Guided. Definitely not trying to be mean but the fact that you’re not even sure on the following steps after getting an elk tells me that at least right now you’re woefully unprepared.

Add in that you’d like to do this with Archery equipment, in a mere weeks time, with no pre season scouting, and from what I gather alone… you would honestly be fooling yourself to think you’d have a good hunting experience going DIY or drop camp.

 

[wapitibob]

Have you shot and worked up a Deer?

 

[kzeke]

Please go Guided. Definitely not trying to be mean but the fact that you’re not even sure on the following steps after getting an elk tells me that at least right now you’re woefully unprepared.

Add in that you’d like to do this with Archery equipment, in a mere weeks time, with no pre season scouting, and from what I gather alone… you would honestly be fooling yourself to think you’d have a good hunting experience going DIY or drop camp.

I think you've taken bits and pieces out of what i said and taken them to the extreme here....

 

[Slick8]

Hey may be taking it to the extreme but it's warranted. Things can get very sporty in a hurry, add to that being solo and remote on a DIY drop camp.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

I was in your shoes 5 years ago and newly married. I lucked out and drew a NM tag as a NR. After making the mistake or fortune of showing my wife some YouTube vids of the area she put her foot down and insisted on a guide. I'm very glad I did as I had a great time and learned a ton.

 

[kzeke]

Have you shot and worked up a Deer?

Yes, I've been deer hunting and doing this stuff since i was in elementary school so its nothing new to me. this part I'm not actually concerned about, i was just more saying that as to say that ive never "packed one out" before.

 

[kzeke]

Hey may be taking it to the extreme but it's warranted. Things can get very sporty in a hurry, add to that being solo and remote on a DIY drop camp.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

I understand. But it wouldn't be solo, all of us are avid hunters, all of us have spent a lot of time camping in remote areas. I was more or less trying to learn how to better understand elk patterns and movements etc. and trying to justify a guide's cost. If i was new to hunting in general and no general knowledge of animals then pulling the trigger on a guide would be a no brainer

 

[Slick8]

That's a big difference.

My biggest concern would be meat care in Sept in a remote area as the temps can vary considerably year to year from snow to 70 degrees.

I've heard stories of outfitters not putting a DIY groups in his best area due to $$$ but I've never used them. I'll say that IMO, a drop camp likely limits you to 1 or no moves. That would be a question I'd ask is if you're not seeing any game can you be moved and is there a cost associated with it.

 

[kzeke]

That's a big difference.

My biggest concern would be meat care in Sept in a remote area as the temps can vary considerably year to year from snow to 70 degrees.

I've heard stories of outfitters not putting a DIY groups in his best area due to $$$ but I've never used them. I'll say that IMO, a drop camp likely limits you to 1 or no moves. That would be a question I'd ask is if you're not seeing any game can you be moved and is there a cost associated with it.

Now that’s the type of info I was looking for, thank you! I’ve gone elk hunting but in an unproductive area and I’ve heard that before and didn’t want to spend money for on a drop camp and it turn into a camping trip if it were true. Thank you!


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