Outfitter opinions

[mattmann]

Looking for the best elk outfitter in North America with a high likelihood of killing. Would love to take my son to get one soon and I’d love to archery hunt one. Thanks!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ElGuapo]

How big is your check book?

 

[Dos Perros]

Obviously "best in North America" is going to be subjective...but I think it's arrogant to presume one could even get booked with a "best in North America" type outfitter in a "soon" kind of timeframe. There is a line and you'll be at the end of it.

 

[Wheels]

Mossback is selling some landowners tags right now for $65K.

 

[longtail]

thats pretty broad but if money is no object and you wanted to go soon I would research a reservation hunt or private land landowner tag hunt. Im sure there's still opportunities in New Mexico.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Land owner is an option if you want the best area/outfitter without messing with pref points. The other option would be outfitters (I believe there are some in Idaho) that have permitted exclusive areas and an allotment of tags that don't require points.

 

[Beendare]

Looking for the best elk outfitter in North America with a high likelihood of killing. Would love to take my son to get one soon and I’d love to archery hunt one. Thanks!!

So what you want is NOT the best outfitter.....it's a great unit with a decent outfitter. For that you will have to pay dearly; a landowner tag on a great private ranch or a LO tag in a great unit...or an Indian Reservation.

 

[mattmann]

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!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mattmann]

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!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RuggedYogi]

Lots of variables.

However, if your budget is $20k/person, there are plenty of options that would yield a very high likelihood at a shot opportunity on a nice bull. Of course, this is if your expectations are reasonable, as a “nice” bull is quite subjective.

Are you looking for private land with a comfortable lodge?

Backcountry experience being packed in to a quality unit?

 

[Dos Perros]

 

[MallardSX2]

Mossback is selling some landowners tags right now for $65K.

What a steal.

 

[mattmann]

Lots of variables.

However, if your budget is $20k/person, there are plenty of options that would yield a very high likelihood at a shot opportunity on a nice bull. Of course, this is if your expectations are reasonable, as a “nice” bull is quite subjective.

Are you looking for private land with a comfortable lodge?

Backcountry experience being packed in to a quality unit?

I agree on the nice bull. To be honest, from Arkansas whitetail, anything will be “nice” lol. I would probably like the nice lodge option as my wife would likely tag along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mattmann]

Lots of variables.

However, if your budget is $20k/person, there are plenty of options that would yield a very high likelihood at a shot opportunity on a nice bull. Of course, this is if your expectations are reasonable, as a “nice” bull is quite subjective.

Are you looking for private land with a comfortable lodge?

Backcountry experience being packed in to a quality unit?

I agree on the nice bull. To be honest, from Arkansas whitetail, anything will be “nice” lol. I would probably like the nice lodge option as my wife would likely tag along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MtnW]

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.

 

[RockAndSage]

So what you want is NOT the best outfitter.....it's a great unit with a decent outfitter. For that you will have to pay dearly; a landowner tag on a great private ranch or a LO tag in a great unit...or an Indian Reservation.

What tribes offer premium elk hunts?

 

[Tbone26]

What tribes offer premium elk hunts?

Some big bulls come out of the Mescalero and San Carlos to name a couple and I'm sure there is more.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Budget aside, the key piece here is when you want to go. The best limited entry units in the west are going to command more than 5 points (years). So if you want to make this happen inside 5 years, you're still looking at a LO or allotment tag with an outfitter. Many of the best LE tags in WY or MT can often take 10-20 points for decent odds of drawing.

New Mexico and MT reservation hunts have some tremendous bull potential. For $40k, I would go in with a 300" minimum goal and shop around for a unit/outift that is known to produce 350+. Guys talk about 300" bulls all the time, but being from AR, it's unlikely that you'd ever shoot a 300 bull on your own in a lifetime. Its kinda like the guys that think Boone and Crockett whitetails are behind every tree in Iowa. I've deer hunted for almost 30 years on private ground and my best is 160". My father in law has hunted 65 years and has killed one BC buck. My point is that a 300" bull for a guy from the Midwest or the South is a monster, but for $40k it would be a minimum for me personally.

Checking briefly on the Blackfeet res hunts in MT, cost would be right at $20k each for tag and outfitter fees. Hunts last from Sep-Apr, so more flexibility than standard fish and game hunts.

 

[wind gypsy]

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

 

[MuleyFever]

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!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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?