Western US Guided Elk - Without Preference Points - Recommendations?

[Cuthberto]

I’m looking to plan a guided elk hunt to take with a couple buddies in the next couple years. I realize winning the preference point game is most likely not an option in the preferred areas with better hunting. Therefore, I’m looking for guided options, in good areas, where preference points aren’t needed. Any western state is fine, and while I’d love a big bull, I’m not expecting world class animals - just a great experience. A horse pack-in hunt would be ideal. My research hasn’t gotten me very far.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Probably looking at $12-$15k per hunter as the budget.

Any advice or recommendations are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[JimP]

There are a number of outfitters in Colorado who guide in OTC elk hunts.

Just do a search for Colorado Guides and Outfitters association and go from there.

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Montana … tons of options and if you go guided you can buy 2 preference points during the draw to leapfrog

 

[Firebird]

Reach out to shanescottoutfitting@hotmail.com in Utah. Ask him about available landowner or cwmu tags. He might be able to offer some advice

 

[btheis13]

Be very careful going to Colorado. Most areas I have found are over hunted and the outfitters are hit or miss. Had 2 bad experiences and 1 good one.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Rising Son Outfitters (https://www.huntinginmontana.com ), Pray Montana. I've taken both archery and rifle season elk. Montana does have a point system, but it's only takes a couple of points.

Thread 'USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana October 2020'

Oct 12, 2020

USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana October 2020

Another Montana elk hunt with Rising Son Outfitters is about to start for me. In 2017, I took son-in-law #1 on this same hunt (https://www.africahunting.com/threa...on-outfitters-in-montana-november-2017.40896/ ) and this year it’s son-in-law #2’s turn. I was actually hoping to do this hunt in 2019, but when I contacted Randy and Dena Petrich at Rising Son (http://www.huntinginmontana.com/ ) in early 2018, they were already booked solid for both 2018 and 2019...

• 375 Ruger Fan
• elk
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

• 

Thread 'USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana November 2017'

Nov 11, 2017

So starts another "Dave's wrong way adventure," crossing the big pond in opposite direction to go on a hunt. I left Lagos, Nigeria in late October and arrived back home in Louisiana. I had a little over a week to round up my gear, go shoot my rifle and get ready for my late season elk hunt. This is a hunt I booked about 2 years ago for me and my son-in-law, Jordan. Jordan is a very experienced deer and duck hunter, but this will be his first elk hunt. A lot has happened since I booked the hunt. Jordan and my daughter, Erin, moved from Louisiana to Midland, TX and also very recently...

• 375 Ruger Fan
• Replies: 41
• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

• 

 

[Moe324]

I hunted in 2018 with these guys in New Mexico. I drew my first year. No preference points in new Mexico. Killed a 340" 6x6 on the last day of a 5 day rifle hunt. The owner Justin knows his stuff. Grew up in NM and is a forest firefighter there also. Can't go wrong with him.

 

[JimP]

Reach out to shanescottoutfitting@hotmail.com in Utah. Ask him about available landowner or cwmu tags. He might be able to offer some advice

I thought about suggesting this but any of the hunts on CWMU's are most likely out of his budget.

We're actually discussing this on another forum right now and his budget is $23,000. But he also wants a 380 bull.

 

[JimP]

Be very careful going to Colorado. Most areas I have found are over hunted and the outfitters are hit or miss. Had 2 bad experiences and 1 good one.

Colorado still has plenty of elk but most of the bulls are on the smaller end except for where you have to wait years to draw. But there are exceptions but those areas are hard to access and the outfitters know that and charge accordingly.

As for the outfitters, there are bad ones all over and a client needs to do their homework.

 

[Whitworth375]

Interested in hunting in Canada?

 

[revturbo9967]

Colorado is cutting back hard on over the counter tags. You will need points just about anywhere , with any outfit. Wyoming has points purchasing open right now. Go buy them and start building. The outfit I’m hunting with in October had 2 guys not draw with 3 points on a general license.