Elk Hunting Outfitters?

[bowaholic]

Who has been out west Elk hunting?  I'm looking into going out next year (preferably Montana) or Utah or Colorado.  Looking for a good outfitter that wont break the bank but is good and has a good success rate.  Or even if you know of good places for public land hunting. 

[bowaholic]

would like to stick around 3500-4000$ for an outfitter

[d-bone20917]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want an outfitter?  

[Cory]

I leave Thursday morning for Colorado for an elk hunt. Im doing public land. In my eyes I would feel better knowing I did it on my own opposed to someone else doing everything for me Plus paying a boat load of cash!

[Pygmy]

..PM sent...

[Pygmy]

 

I leave Thursday morning for Colorado for an elk hunt. Im doing public land. In my eyes I would feel better knowing I did it on my own opposed to someone else doing everything for me Plus paying a boat load of cash!

 

I have done DIY hunts from Alaska to New Mexico.

It is a great experience to do it yourself, and my partners and I took some nice animals over the years...We felt a great deal of pride and self satisfaction having done it ourselves. I used to say that I'd rather shoot a cow hunting by myself than shoot a big bull walking around behind a guide.

That said, the driving force was money...If I had to pay for guided/outfitted hunts, I would not have been able to afford half the hunts that I did.

However, successful DIY hunts take a lot of careful planning. Many hunters don't have the time, know how or resources to put a good hunt together. Many poorly planned or poorly organized DIY hunts have turned into nightmares.

Also, DIY hunts can be very physically demanding. Not everybody is able ( or willing) to do thier own butchering and packing. Carry an elk quarter 3 or 4 miles on your back over rough country and you'll know what I mean. I for one, am no longer physically able to do that.

DIY hunts can be great, but they are not for everyone..

For many hunters an outfitted or guided hunt is a better option.

[Uncle Nicky]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want an outfitter?  

 

For many, it's a trade off. If you want the highest chance of success, want to make sure that you can stay in touch with civilization if needed, don't plan on making multiple trips across the country to scout, don't want to wait a lot of years building preference points, and want to cut out a lot of the planning & research, a guide is a great option.

 

I wouldn't think twice about a DIY trip out west for antelope or turkeys, done a few myself (alone and with friends), it was challenging, but filled the majority of my tags.

 

If you want to hunt in New Mexico, I'd try Bob Atwood/Blue MountainOutfitters.http://www.bluemountainoutfitters.com/elk.htm He runs a good camp, and is a straight-shooter. He offers everything from semi-DIY to fully guided hunts, in some of the most beautiful country in the lower 48.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Uncle Nicky

[46rkl]

I can recommend Fishtail Ranch near Chama, NM. Lee Weiss is the owner/guide and is running a great camp. They hunt in both northern NM and southern Colorado. You can choose between a lodge-based private land hunt (no draw), a guided drop camp hunt in the San Juan's or a DIY drop camp hunt in the San Juan's. the website has all the info, dates and pricing.

I've had a great time hunting with Lee and absolutely recommend them.