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

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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.

 

[JimP]

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.

Right now Colorado is looking at putting a end to unlimited non resident archery tags and going to a draw for them. But that's it for now.

CPW staff urge end to unlimited elk archery tags

The ability of people to freely buy a license to engage in archery hunting of elk in parts of Colorado could come to an end if a recommendation by Colorado

www-gjsentinel-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[Goat416]

Utah has some great CWMU hunts that will provide a better success rate and more flexible hunting dates. Like anywhere the better the quality of hunt the more expensive it can be. The hunting guide put out by UT’s DNR has a list of CWMU’s, the operator’s name and contact information. There quite a few and calling and speaking with a few will get you a better idea of what to expect, the varied costs, and the availability of the hunts.

I am happy to help point you the direction of a few potential CWMU’s that I have hunted over the last several years if you are interested.

 

[TERMINATOR]

PM Sent

 

[Safari Dave]

I hunted with Audrey Hulsey (my great-grandmother was a Hulsey) many years ago in New Mexico, when she was in her 20's and single.

She was superb.

She is now married to another elk guide and is probably rearing a 3rd generation of elk guides.

I think you are more likely to get drawn with an outfitters in NM. We have been able to hunt there twice, never had preference points, and were successful both times. I think they might have access to private landowner tags, but we hunted in the Gila National Forest.

Hunt for Elk, Deer, Antelope, Oryx, Mountain Lion and Turkey in New Mexico

Hunting New Mexico has never been better! Guided Elk hunts, Deer hunts, Antelope hunts, and Oryx hunts. Trophy Ridge Outfitters has both private land hunts and public land hunts. If you have never hunted New Mexico, you are in for the hunt of a lifetime.

trophyridgeoutfitters.net

 

[CZDiesel]

My brother is a guid in the Gila National Forest for Elk and Deer and has guided hunters on up to 420” Bulls…
It’s not cheap but PM me if you want more information

 

[Altitude sickness]

Check CWO

About Us - Comanche Wilderness Outfitters

About Us How It Started Scott Limmer, manager of Comanche Wilderness Outfitters (CWO), started the business in 1991. Growing up in South Dakota on family property bordering the Black Hills National Forest, Scott developed a love for the outdoors through hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing...

comanchewildernessoutfitters.com

 

[Cuthberto]

Great stuff everyone. More suggestions welcome, but I’ll start working through these recommendations and maybe send a message for more info. Much appreciated!

 

[TERMINATOR]

Great stuff everyone. More suggestions welcome, but I’ll start working through these recommendations and maybe send a message for more info. Much appreciated!

Check my private message to you

 

[Neophyte]

Look at Idaho.
I was planning a DIY OTC tag when I had my heart attack. Not doing any hunting this year but making plans for the next few years.