Elk or mule deer this fall - planning and guide

[Desk Jockey]

Putting this here as it cuts across species but mods please move if needed.

It looks like me and a buddy can finally coordinate for a western elk or mule deer hunt this year. We are starting from zero so looking for help on planning. Here is what I am looking for:

- Elk or mule deeer with a preference for Elk
- Backpack hunt of medium intensity
- Rifle or bow
- 2 hunters
- Guided or semi guided
- Mid priced - not interested in luxury lodges. Might do private land. Not ready for total DIY
- High probability of success
- trophy bulls not needed. Will consider (legal) Spikes, rag horns, or even cows to increase odds of success.

We are 2x eastern hunters with 3 seasons of whitetail and 9 deer down between us. 40s. Above average fitness. Both ex .mil. Self sufficient backpackers / campers and able to do land nav and most basic field craft. No experience in calling elk.

My uneducated ideal would be to pack in for 4-5 days either with a guide or with some guidance and come out with some meat and an experience of a western backpack hunt.

Looking for advice and guidance on anything - guides, outfitters, states, seasons. Etc.

Also, what should something like this cost ex airfare and car rental, as I am assuming fly in and fly out of the nearest big city.

Many thanks
DJ

 

[Scoony]

Last two seasons, my brothers and I drove out to Idaho to hunt. DIY all the way. We managed to get one bull the first year and a mule deer the second. We could have done better, but we were not hunting smart.

With tags, traveling, and food, it could be done for about $2000-3000 depending on what you spend on tags. We had looked at outfitters and drop camps ran $2k and fully guided hunts ran $5k. This year, my son and I are hunting Colorado. We are using a outfitter that will pack us in on horseback to a drop camp for $1800 a piece. They supply the wall tent, firewood, cots, and water. We supply our own food. Son lives there, but I will be traveling from KY so I figure about another $1k for gas, overnight lodging (2 day drive each way) and food, plus the additional cost for the elk tag.

 

[idahohikker]

Sounds like you'd like to go guided if possible. Your budget will really suggest what options are available. I agree with the average prices for a guide or drop camp above. Can you drop $5k or $2k? If so, you'll get plenty of good recommendations for what you're looking for. Most guys here relish the DIY experience but there's plenty of support for the idea of starting out with some guidance.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Sounds like you'd like to go guided if possible. Your budget will really suggest what options are available. I agree with the average prices for a guide or drop camp above. Can you drop $5k or $2k? If so, you'll get plenty of good recommendations for what you're looking for. Most guys here relish the DIY experience but there's plenty of support for the idea of starting out with some guidance.

Scoony I will PM you if you don’t mind.

Drop camp with some help on calling or finding elk would be very interesting. We can do $2-5k depending on what the setup is. I would love to DIY but neither of us has the job or the wife to let us do this every year. So the thinking is that this will be an R&D trip of sorts. Better to pay up for the learning and increased chance of success this time. DIY can be a goal for the future.

 

[Scoony]

Scoony I will PM you if you don’t mind.
.

Sure no problem, but just keep in mind that I am not what they call an expert. I am still a western hunting newbie and learning the lessons the real hard way, but having lots of fun in the process.