What is a 4000$ elk??

[yama49]

Lol I don't even know what a decent score on a moose is. I just want one like 50 inches and good fronts.

I agree on the fronts, you should break the 50 mark pretty easily where you are going..

195 for B&C book
185 for BC book

 

[charvey9]

Thats quite the trophy fee in my opinion. You can find 5-7 day elk hunts in that range. In that scenario, assuming you are already paying a nice penny for the moose hunt, it would need to be one hell of a trophy for me to shell out another 4k for an elk. 350" or better. Part of that is because I can hunt elk in Oregon, so it would have to be one hell of a large bull for me to justify the money. On the other hand if this were a hunt of a lifetime type scenario and I didn't think I would have many other opportunities to hunt elk in the future, I would go for anything above 300".

 

[charvey9]

what do you guys think those two elk would score?? i have zero experience judging elk but if i was guessing i woud guess #1 at 245-250 and #2 at like 280-285

Its hard to tell with pictures, lots of times taken from a perspective to make the rack look bigger. However those both look like nice bulls with good mass pushing 300".

 

[ckleeves]

It is super hard to tell from the pics but the first bull appears to be a 5x6 unless I'm seeing things wrong. It kinda looks like he would be lucky to break 240 IMO. The second bull is a pretty bull for sure but I don't think he is over about 275. He lacks main beam length and is pretty weak on the bottom. He is a very nice looking bull however.

 

[JWP58]

What is a $4000 Elk?

To me? One that commits suicide and somehow butchers himself and magically ends up in my freezer.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I couldn't put a price on my hunting, and wouldn't care if it cost 20k. If the memory of the hunt was worth it, I'd do with out something else to pay for it.

So what kind of bull would I spend 4k on, any as long as I had to work for it

 

[Bar]

I couldn't put a price on my hunting, and wouldn't care if it cost 20k. If the memory of the hunt was worth it, I'd do with out something else to pay for it.

So what kind of bull would I spend 4k on, any as long as I had to work for it

If you don't mind working hard for the elk. You don't need to pay for it.

 

[realunlucky]

If you don't mind working hard for the elk. You don't need to pay for it.

This thread isn't about that at all. The op is asking about adding a trophy fee to a guided hunt. We know how you feel about it and how it's not worth it to you. That said you live the state with the most elk and are retired that is quite a bit different. I still believe that 4000 is going to be starting price for guided hunt for elk that would go 300. For me I like to focus on single shop species for each trip it's easy to get sidetracked and burn up valuable time on something else. If you harvest a moose than move on to elk but that is just me. Opportunities to hunt moose are fewer for most of us that those to hunt elk. Cost for guided hunts will usually be substantially greater for moose over elk although that's not true in all units. Whatever the op decision is this sounds like a limited chance to see this part of some remote country

 

[Bar]

I wasn't responding to the OP. I don't care how anybody else hunts, or what they pay for it. Texans42 mentioned he wanted to work for the elk. If that's the case he could get one on his own, and feel better about it. I think he would anyway.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I dont get what your inferring? Just tags and fuel cost me 1800-2200 a year in CO, depending if I draw a mulie tag. That's about my 7 year average costs in CO on DIY hunts (not counting gear and food of course)

Between CO, NM, KS and Okla ill have probably 7-8k just in tags and fuel. I wouldn't pay 4k for a point and shoot hunt, but will pay 7-8k for DIY hunts this year, next year I may spend that on an outfitted hunt some where I haven't hunted before.

Point is money/cost doesnt mean anything as long as you are doing and hunting what and the way you want to hunt.

In a nut shell I wouldnt ask what size bull 4k is worth.... I'd just pay it and love what ever I came home with. 250 or 380 doesn't matter, each hunt is a lifetime experience


Hell I drove 14hrs this weekend to go fishing at the coast. after 2 days of fishing I only had three specks to show for it, who cares I got to watch two awesome king ranch shoreline sun rises from the water. Cant put a price on those sun rises I assure you.

 

[Bar]

I guess I didn't understand what you meant when you said:

"So what kind of bull would I spend 4k on, any as long as I had to work for it."

 

[cuerro viejo]

I guess I didn't understand what you meant when you said:

"So what kind of bull would I spend 4k on, any as long as I had to work for it."

Meaning I wouldn't one from the pickup.

 

[Greenhorn]

Id love one from the pickup

 

[dirtytough]

For me personally I would rather spend 4k on a unit 76 voucher in Colorado. Beautiful country, lots of elk, and occasionally a big bull. For me more time in the field equals more experiences and memories. And thats what its all about.

For 2k I would probably just save the money and do an otc hunt. That would about cover all your costs. And again you will be spending more time in the field.

 

[Nick Muche]

Is this your first western style hunt? Are you taking a rifle too?

 

[Jtelarkin08]

Is this your first western style hunt? Are you taking a rifle too?

No rifle. I haven't shot an animal with a rifle since I was probably 10. I am one of those guys that would rather eat tag soup than shoot something with a rifle. I would take Zero pride in the animal and would rather let it live. I have nothing against rifle hunting it just doesn't excite me

 

[Jtelarkin08]

For me personally I would rather spend 4k on a unit 76 voucher in Colorado. Beautiful country, lots of elk, and occasionally a big bull. For me more time in the field equals more experiences and memories. And thats what its all about.

For 2k I would probably just save the money and do an otc hunt. That would about cover all your costs. And again you will be spending more time in the field.

Here is the problem there. I get probably 6-10 days a year that I can be out of state hunting. I have the money but not the time

 

[tipsntails7]

Its hard to tell with pictures, lots of times taken from a perspective to make the rack look bigger. However those both look like nice bulls with good mass pushing 300".

not a chance... the first bull is not even over 260 I would bet. the second is under 300 for sure, im guessing 280 maybe.

 

[TRIPLE]

not a chance... the first bull is not even over 260 I would bet. the second is under 300 for sure, im guessing 280 maybe.

100% agreed.