First time Western Hunt, outfitter and opinions

[Ragout]

Hello all and thank you for your time.

I've read a good but on this form the prior year and got good advice. A thread lead me to my new rifle, Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro LR in 7MM Rem Mag, at 50% MSRP. It's also helped me reduce the challenge of picking an outfitter.

I have 5 Idaho and one New Mexico outfitters selected. I've checked Idaho website and didn't see disciplinary actions against the outfitters. I didn't check the individual guides.

My goal is fall bear. Bear bacon, bear ham, bear ribs, all sound good to me. I would like to build a relationship with an outfitter and go on an annual or biennial hunt. Assuming I enjoy eating the bear, alternate off years to Elk, Mule Deer, etc.

The outfitters I've picked are:
Ace Outfitters - Waylon Herzig
York Outfitters - Chad Bohn
Idaho Wilderness Outfitters - Steve Zettel (highly recommend on here)

The two below were recommended by my cousin's husband. He is from Idaho.
Mile High Outfitters - Travis Bullock
Elk Springs Outfitters - Caleb Hartsock

The loan New Mexico outfitter is True Grit Trophy Outfitters - Preston.
I found them as they donated a hunt to a group I donate to.
Mile High Outfitters - Travis Bullock

I appreciate your opinions.

Thank you

 

[SDHNTR]

Keep in mind that NM will likely be a lot more difficult to draw a tag.

My suggestion is to hunt DIY, then you can definitely go every year and not have to worry about shady outfitters.

 

[Doepee]

As I have posted before, nothing but great things to say about Chad and York. Only thing to keep in mind is logistically it takes much more time to get as remote as his camp is. We enjoyed that, some others may be deterred.

 

[Ragout]

As I have posted before, nothing but great things to say about Chad and York. Only thing to keep in mind is logistically it takes much more time to get as remote as his camp is. We enjoyed that, some others may be deterred.

What was the hunt like? I really wanted hounds, but that method seems to be disappearing from guides. I like the bait option so you can, in theory, see a few, but like the idea of spot and stalk and taking a bear out of a berry patch.