Outfitter opinions

[CAElkhunter]

I personally think buying your son a $20K 300- inch Bull is the way to not create an Elk hunter.
Go to one of the reputable hunting consultants like Huntin Fool, Epic etc. and find a high probability public
land elk hunt. The harder he works for it the more he will cherish it and want to do it again.

Private ranch get out of the Suburban, whack a big bull is not Elk hunting. Also if a 300 incher is your starting elk, the rest of your elk hunting is going to be very expensive or very disappointing.

Once hooked Elk hunting is the greatest experience with the outdoors a person can get hooked on
at a younger age.

Shot a spike in 1992 on a hunt bought at a Rocky Mountain Elk foundation dinner and was hooked.
Have gone elk hunting every year since on public land. Unfortunately, my Montana outfitter retired so
I can't send you there.

Good luck. They are great animals.

 

[mattmann]

I personally think buying your son a $20K 300- inch Bull is the way to not create an Elk hunter.
Go to one of the reputable hunting consultants like Huntin Fool, Epic etc. and find a high probability public
land elk hunt. The harder he works for it the more he will cherish it and want to do it again.

Private ranch get out of the Suburban, whack a big bull is not Elk hunting. Also if a 300 incher is your starting elk, the rest of your elk hunting is going to be very expensive or very disappointing.

Once hooked Elk hunting is the greatest experience with the outdoors a person can get hooked on
at a younger age.

Shot a spike in 1992 on a hunt bought at a Rocky Mountain Elk foundation dinner and was hooked.
Have gone elk hunting every year since on public land. Unfortunately, my Montana outfitter retired so
I can't send you there.

Good luck. They are great animals.

I’m not opposed to this at all. I think he would absolutely love a difficult hunt and running around the mountains to get the full experience. My wife would more than likely go with us, but not necessarily on the hunt so I would want somewhere nice for her to stay while we’re out hunting so she enjoys her time out as well. I definitely have no goal in mind for a 300 inch elk. The point in my joke earlier about Arkansas was that a spike will seem huge to us at this point in our life so any decent elk will be more than big enough for us


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[mattmann]

Can’t do much better than Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park around Raton, NM. Especially if your wife will be joining you. I have been twice , lots of wildlife from bobcats to bears, turkeys and raptors. Other activities like fly fishing and wildlife viewing if you fill out early. Good luck on whatever you chose.

Thanks man. I’ll check this one out!


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[sandhillhunter]

Hill Ranch in southern CO is another one to check out.

Hill Ranches

www.hillranch.eastmans.com

I’m not sure why the link to their main site is down.


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[Scottf270]

Last I checked, the hunts on Hill Ranch are $25,000.

 

[Will_m]

I mean this without offense, but have you ever been hunting?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I'm not a large outfitter connoisseur but a couple I know of:

Ted Turner's Flying D ranch in MT is "Elk Ranch #1" here. No idea on availability. https://www.montanahuntingcompany.com/ranches/hunts

These guys run a nice private land elk hunt in SE MT that would require a guy to draw a LE permit but it's drawable without a ton of points. About half the price of the Flying D hunt, probably for a reason, but they are good dudes with a good hunt.

Wyoming Elk Hunting with Big Horn Outfitters | Fully Guided Hunts

Big Horn Outfitters offers fully guided Wyoming elk hunts with archery or rifle. Whether you are a seasoned elk hunter or looking for your first bull we have the hunt for you.

www.bighornoutfitters.com

That permit isn’t so drawable anymore as NR. You need 7 points for 50% odds.

 

[MallardSX2]

So to be clear, what is your total budget for you and your son to hunt and your wife to come along and enjoy the lodge?

It better be $25,000+ for three people (2 shooters 1 observer). I don't think a lot of people fully understand the cost of a guided hunt.

 

[Huntndog]

The Lodge at Chama in NM would be a good one to consider.

 

[wytx]

Another option is to check on some Ranching For Wildlife properties in Colorado. There is no draw for those outfitted hunts.
Not all ranch hunts are get out of a suburban and shoot, that is far from the type of hunting you may find on remote private ranches.

Start buying PPs in Wyoming this year, you may find an outfitter that will party app you both for a earlier chance at a hunt in Wyo.

 

[WRO]

Okay let me rephrase so some folks can calm down. Not being arrogant at all. Not looking to spend some crazy amount of money and I’m also not in a rush by any means. If it’s in the next few years, that’s great. I’d like to keep it around 20k if possible. I guess I should have done a better job of phrasing my question but I’m out of the country and have crappy service.

I’d love to do an elk hunt in the next few years with my son and have a high likelihood of taking one. What would you guys recommend I do to try and make that happen. Thanks!


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I’ve known Brian for 10 years plus and hunted with him 6 or 7 times.

He was 10 for 11 last year, not big bulls but a good hunt.

Keith Williams with sw big game brokerage runs a good outfit in nm and kills bigger bulls on average with lots of lo tags.


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[LongWayAround]

Another option is to check on some Ranching For Wildlife properties in Colorado. There is no draw for those outfitted hunts.

I believe there are RFW outfitted hunts where one can buy the hunt from the outfitter. However, there are draws for RFW hunts that are only open to residents. Just to clarify.

 

[wind gypsy]

That permit isn’t so drawable anymore as NR. You need 7 points for 50% odds.

Damn. I had it with 3 points a few years ago.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Damn. I had it with 3 points a few years ago.

I’ve been chasing it for 10, that about sums up my draw luck though…..

 

[mattmann]

I mean this without offense, but have you ever been hunting?

Yep, a lot. All whitetail hunting here in Arkansas, duck hunting, rabbit, etc. I’m wanting to get out west and explore new animals and hunting. I don’t have the time to lease and hunt for years with 3 young kids, running a company, etc on a property far away. Just wanting to explore and hunt new areas and species and elk has always been on my bucket list. I’m currently in South Africa hunting and it’s the best thing I’ve done. I’m wanting to get outside of my “box” and explore. I’m going to texas in September for Audad and would love to eventually get elk, moose, bears, etc. I’m not wanting to pay someone to drop me off in the suburban and shoot like some have said. I don’t mind working and hiking and trekking around and actually want that to experience a real hunt. I was just asking a simple question of a good guide outfitter and apparently upset some folks. Anywho, I’ll check the ones out that y’all have listed in here. Thanks for the suggestions!


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[mattmann]

I’ve known Brian for 10 years plus and hunted with him 6 or 7 times.

He was 10 for 11 last year, not big bulls but a good hunt.

Keith Williams with sw big game brokerage runs a good outfit in nm and kills bigger bulls on average with lots of lo tags.


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Thanks brother!


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[mattmann]

It better be $25,000+ for three people (2 shooters 1 observer). I don't think a lot of people fully understand the cost of a guided hunt.

That’s fine, $20,000 was probably an arbitrary number based on what I’ve “heard” of those costing. If it’s 15-30, then that’s fine. If it’s too high, maybe the hunt is a few years out and maybe I switch up my list to do Canadian bears and some other items first.


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[mattmann]

It better be $25,000+ for three people (2 shooters 1 observer). I don't think a lot of people fully understand the cost of a guided hunt.

That’s fine, $20,000 was probably an arbitrary number based on what I’ve “heard” of those costing. If it’s 15-30, then that’s fine. If it’s too high, maybe the hunt is a few years out and maybe I switch up my list to do Canadian bears and some other items first.


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[Weldor]

You can always check with San Carlos It has some good opportunities

 

[UKwildcatfan]

That’s fine, $20,000 was probably an arbitrary number based on what I’ve “heard” of those costing. If it’s 15-30, then that’s fine. If it’s too high, maybe the hunt is a few years out and maybe I switch up my list to do Canadian bears and some other items first.


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Pls adopt me.